Governor Kasich and Ohio Legislators Approve Historic Funding Increase for the Arts in Ohio
by OAC Staff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2015
CONTACT:
Hannah Brokenshire
614/728-4463
hannah.brokenshire@oac.state.oh.us
Columbus, OH--The Ohio Arts Council (OAC) will receive the largest increase in state funds in its 50-year history thanks to Governor John R. Kasich and Ohio legislators' enactment of House Bill 64, the state's biennial operating budget for fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
HB 64 appropriates $28,944,100 from the state's General Revenue Fund (GRF) to the OAC. The appropriation reflects an increase of nearly $6.25 million, or 27.5%, compared to the previous biennium. In monetary terms, this appropriation represents the largest biennial GRF increase for arts and culture through the OAC to date. With the increase, the OAC's budget is now within $3.3 million of its peak biennial GRF funding level of $32.2 million, achieved in fiscal years 2000 and 2001.
For individual artists, arts organizations, schools, and other nonprofits, approximately $12.5 million in GRF-based arts grants will be available through OAC grant programs in FY 2016 and $13 million in FY 2017. The OAC will grant nearly $1 million in federal funds in each fiscal year thanks to support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). As previously announced, the OAC earned the second highest NEA grant in the nation for the sixth consecutive year.
"On behalf of the entire Ohio Arts Council board, I deeply appreciate the support demonstrated by Governor Kasich and lawmakers in the Ohio House and Senate," said Jeffrey A. Rich, OAC board chair. Ginger Warner, OAC board vice chair, agreed. "Our elected leaders have made a tremendous, unprecedented commitment to strengthening the arts in Ohio."
Grassroots efforts aimed at increasing arts funding paved the way for this monumental increase. "I want to thank arts advocates across the state, led by Ohio Citizens for the Arts, for continuing to make investing in the arts a priority for policymakers," Rich said.
In addition to the Governor's version of HB 64, both the House and the Senate proposed additional funding for the arts throughout the state budgeting process. "Ohio's arts and culture leaders have much to celebrate today--and much work to do over the next two years in order to produce a solid return on the public's investment in the arts," Warner concluded.
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. The OAC is celebrating 50 years of funding for arts and culture in 2015. Find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit the OAC website at oac.ohio.gov.
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