Ohio Arts Council Announces New Funding Opportunities
by OAC Staff
The Ohio Arts Council (OAC) is pleased to announce the newly created Big Yellow School Bus program and the opening of the Artists with Disabilities Access program to a new field of applicants: organizations serving artists with disabilities.
In recognition of the important role school field trips play in comprehensive arts education, the Ohio Arts Council has created the Big Yellow School Bus program, which provides up to $500 in funding to support the travel costs associated with arts-related school field trips. Eligible organizations include public and private schools (pre-kindergarten through secondary) and associations for home-schooled students. Applications are now being accepted and will be awarded on a rolling basis.
Also, organizations whose primary mission is to serve individuals with disabilities may apply to the Artists with Disabilities Access program (ADAP) for up to $3,000 in funding. The program also now offers increased funding up to $1,000 for professional artists with disabilities; emerging artists may request up to $500. The ADAP changes follow a rigorous program evaluation conducted by Dreeszen & Associates, with involvement from VSA Ohio, national arts and disability experts, and focus groups that included ADAP artist grantees, service providers and disability advocates. Applications will be reviewed quarterly by a panel with broad knowledge in the arts and accessibility issues. The upcoming deadline to apply to this program is December 1, 2013.
About Big Yellow School Bus:
According to the recently published Status of Arts Education in Ohio's Schools report, field trips in the arts are less prevalent in Ohio than other states, nationally. For Ohio schools with limited funds, the inability to travel was cited as a barrier to cultural participation. The Big Yellow School Bus program is designated to help students who want to take advantage of arts learning opportunities around Ohio and are in need of transportation.
Learning in the arts is critical to a child's academic development. These educational visits will help to foster creativity and innovation, and allow students across the state to experience all that Ohio's cultural life has to the offer.
About Artists with Disabilities Access:
The OAC believes that creative expression by artists of all abilities is essential to building dynamic and diverse communities throughout Ohio. Artists with disabilities present a unique vision that encourages individuals and communities to see themselves and others in new ways. The ADAP program provides funding that gives artists with disabilities the necessary resources they need to further their artistic development. Funds are available for a variety of activities, materials and services.
For more information on the programs and other funding opportunities, visit the OAC Guidelines.
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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