Gov. Kasich Approves 2012/2013 Budget, OAC Approves 379 Grants Totaling $5.9 Million
by Amy McKay
On July 1, 2011, Governor John Kasich approved the 2012/2013 biennium budget, which includes $17.2 million for the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). This is an increase of 30.5 percent over our final 2010/2011 appropriation of $13.2 million. In the 2012/2013 budget, the OAC's subsidy line (the money used for grant-making) increased by $3.7 million.
At a public meeting on June 29, 2011, the OAC board approved the first round of grants for fiscal year 2012 and grant ratifications for fiscal years 2011 and 2010. As a result, the OAC will award 379 grants totaling $5,920,294 to support arts organizations, arts programs and artists across Ohio. These awards have not been previously announced. For FY2012, the OAC received 408 grant requests totaling $13,876,254.
Organizations that receive OAC funds are required to match state tax dollars with additional public and private funds. In general, for every state tax dollar invested, $84 is raised in matching funds by recipient organizations.
For more information specific to this round of grant announcements, download the following PDF file: a by-city list of grants awarded in this round.
Sustainability Program
The Sustainability Program provides two-year grants for organizational operating support. This program supports Ohio organizations that plan and conduct ongoing arts programs for either a full year of programming or a recurring single project or activity. The program supports organizations that offer broad-based arts programming in any discipline (i.e., performing arts, literature, traditional arts, visual arts, etc.) that is produced and presented by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, other nonprofit or government entities, and colleges or universities that offer arts programming.
A total of $3,254,525 was awarded to thirty-eight (38) of Ohio's major arts institutions with budgets of more than $1.5 million. And the OAC board approved 225 grants for a total of $2,114,253 for organizations with budgets of less than $1.5 million.
Arts Access
Thirty-four (34) Arts Access grants were approved totaling $92,917. The Arts Access program provides two-year grants for organizational operating support for Ohio organizations with budgets under $30,000 that plan and conduct ongoing arts programs.
Arts Learning--Arts Partnership
Thirty-three (33) Arts Partnership grants were awarded totaling $304,759. The program provides one- or two-year grants to support activities that enhance the quality of and access to learning in the arts for learners of all ages, backgrounds, experience levels and abilities.
Arts Learning--Artist in Residence
The Artist in Residence Program (AIR) awarded twenty-seven (27) grants for a total of $45,600. AIR places accomplished, professional artists in a variety of educational and community settings.
Individual Creativity--Traditional Arts Apprenticeships
Five (5) Traditional Arts Apprenticeships were approved totaling $18,600. The program provides support for a master artist and one or more apprentices to work together in an intensive individual study program that preserves the traditional art forms of Ohio residents. Examples of traditional arts include, but are not limited to: Polish paper cutting, blues music, stone carving, Appalachian fiddling, embroidery, Laotian khene playing, icon painting, Irish step dancing, woodcarving, Chicano corridor singing, quilting, tamburitza music and polka.
2010/2011 Grant Award Ratifications
Ratifications are the board's final approval of funds allocated in various program areas since the March 8, 2011 board meeting. The board ratified 14 grants from 2011 totaling $40,640 and three (3) grants from 2010 totaling $49,000. These awards have not been announced previously.
The 2011 ratifications included:
- Four (4) Artists with Disabilities Access grants totaling $2,000
- Ten (10) Special Organization grants totaling $38,640
The 2010 ratifications included:
- Three (3) Special Organization grants totaling $49,000
Grant information dating back to FY1998, is searchable on the Ohio Arts Council's website at: www.oac.ohio.gov/search/grants/SearchGrants.asp
Grant applications were reviewed this past winter and spring by panels of arts experts and Ohio Arts Council staff. The OAC board, consisting of 15 gubernatorial appointees and four nonvoting members from the Ohio legislature, makes final decisions based on panel recommendations.
About the Ohio Arts Council:
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
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