Ohio Arts Council Artist Opportunities Grants

Ohio Arts Council Artist Opportunities Grants is sponsored by Ohio Arts Council. Supports Ohio artists who have opportunities that will significantly impact their professional growth or have projects that will contribute to the vitality of their community.

CreativeOhio Connect • CreativeOhio CreativeOhio Connect CO admin 2026-06-30T12:10:24-04:00 CREATIVEOHIO Connect A timely list of opportunities for CreativeOhio members If you are a CreativeOhio Member and would like us to share an opportunity that is relevant to CreativeOhio members, please email admin@creativeoh. org.

opportunities for organizations opportunities for artists Opportunities for Organizations Timely funding and educational and networking events available at national and statewide levels that may be relevant to CreativeOhio member organizations. The NEA is committed to supporting excellent arts projects for the benefit of all Americans.

Activities funded through Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) enable Americans throughout the nation to experience the arts, foster and celebrate America’s artistic heritage and cultural legacy, and benefit from arts education at all stages of life. We also support arts and health programs, including creative arts therapies, that advance the well-being of people and communities.

We strongly encourage applications for arts projects that focus on one or more agency funding priorities. We welcome applications from first-time and returning applicants; from organizations serving rural, urban, suburban, and tribal communities of all sizes; and from organizations with small, medium, or large operating budgets.

We fund arts projects in the following disciplines: Arts Education, Challenge America, Dance, Design & Our Town, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Museums, Music, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater & Musical Theater, and Visual & Media Arts.

Ohio ARts Professional Network 2026 Conference Early Bird Registration Deadline: July 31, 2026 Regular Registration Deadline: October 16, 2026 Conference: October 18 through 20, 2026 | Fitton Center for the Creative Arts, Hamilton, Ohio The OAPN Conference brings together a community of performing arts presenters, venue managers, marketing teams, touring artists, and agencies from across Ohio, the region, and beyond.

It’s a space to connect, learn from one another, and build relationships that lead to long-lasting business relationships and friendships. Throughout the conference, 24 artists will perform live juried showcases, and attendees engage in one-on-one networking and conduct business in the exhibit hall. Presenters attend with intention—seeking to discover artists and meet with agents as they plan future seasons and programs.

The 2026 conference will also include professional development sessions, curated networking opportunities, mentorship, a new member orientation, an awards ceremony, networking lunches, and opening & closing night receptions. Our Sponsors will be invited to a special VIP sponsor reception. Deadline: 90 days prior to project start date The Ohio Arts Council strives to support the arts in all communities throughout the state.

ArtsRISE is designed to support organizations working to expand access to activities to a broad range of participants, address accessibility and other aspects of welcoming program design, present arts programming of culturally specific* or ethnic organizations, and support meaningful engagement with other constituent groups.

Awards may support: 1) organizations whose staff and board represent these specific communities; and/or 2) organizations’ efforts to improve their programs’ access.

*The National Standard for Arts Information Exchange Project (NISP) defines culturally specific populations as American Indian/ Alaskan Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander; Ohio has traditionally included the addition of Appalachian to this definition. Opportunities for Artists Timely calls for entry (exhibition and publication) provided by CreativeOhio members.

Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition, creative Arts Exhibition, and YOuth Arts Exhibitions Building a creative career that connects your work with new audiences takes intention. There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy, but learning from others can make the process easier, and less isolating.

This free webinar series brings together artists and creatives from across the Midwest to share practical, real-world guidance on the skills that support creative work beyond the studio. Across these sessions, you’ll gain actionable tools to showcase your work, pursue funding, and grow your visibility across platforms.

Dairy Barn ARts Center Quilt National Call for entries due: August 30, 2026 Quilt National ’27 explores the expanded field of quilting, showcasing textile-based contemporary art and fiber as a medium for material inquiry. The exhibition features works that interrogate surface, structure, labor, gender, and politics. These quilts merge craft, design, and fine art, repositioning quiltmaking within contemporary art discourse.

Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Awards Applications due: September 1, 2026 The Individual Excellence Awards program recognizes outstanding accomplishments by artists in a variety of disciplines. Awards give artists the resources to experiment and explore their art forms, develop skills and advance their careers, and receive affirmation and acknowledgment for outstanding work.

Competitive applications focus on the merit of past artistic work. POllock-Krasner Foundation: Grant Pollock-Krasner grants have enabled artists to create new work, purchase needed materials and pay for studio rent, as well as their personal expenses.

Past recipients of Pollock-Krasner grants acknowledge their critical impact in allowing concentrated time for studio work, and in preparing for exhibitions and other professional opportunities such as accepting a residency. Timely grant opportunities for artists and organizations offered regionally throughout Ohio. Additional opportunities in the Akron and Summit County area are available at artsnow.

org . Artsnow Placemaking Grants Application available to preview: July 13, 2026 Application opens: August 1, 2026 Application closes: August 16, 2026 Placemaking Project Grants are made possible through a generous investment and partnership with the Summit County Land Bank. This funding provides direct support to projects that advance creative placemaking efforts aligned with The Cultural Plan.

These grants support projects that use arts and culture as a tool to strengthen neighborhoods, activate public spaces, and respond to local priorities in collaboration with residents and community partners.

Artsnow Creative Investment Program Applications open: September 1, 2026 Applications close: September 13, 2026 The Creative Investment Program (CIP), presented by ArtsNow with support from the Ian Patrick Schwarber Foundation, provides grants of up to $2,500 to Summit County artists and creatives to invest in their professional growth.

Artsnow Quarterly Creative Summit: Presented with Collide: Cuyahoga Falls September 16, 2026 | Noon to 1:30 p. m. | The Business Commons of Cuyahoga Falls These gatherings bring together artists, arts and culture organizations, community partners, and supporters to share updates, build relationships, and explore how arts, culture, and creativity strengthen the quality of life across our region.

Each session offers a balance of learning, conversation, and dedicated time to connect with peers and collaborators. TICKETS AVAILABLE AUGUST 5 Additional opportunities in Appalachian Ohio are available at appalachianohio. org.

Additional opportunities in the Cincinnati Area are available at 1001colors. org/artists/professional-opportunities DRIVING LESSONS: Political Office for ARtists July 22, 2026 | 6 to 9 p. m.

| SWELL Art Cafe Artists: your creativity belong in civic life. This workshop will walk you through the whys and hows of being an artist in politics. Communities across the country are desperate for leaders who know how to listen, tell stories, build coalitions, and imagine something better.

Despite these being artist skills, they seem to be absent from elected office. DRIVING LESSONS: Mental Health for Artists July 26, 2026 | 11 a. m.

to 5 p. m. | SWELL Art Cafe Artists: your creativity belong in civic life.

This workshop will walk you through the whys and hows of being an artist in politics. Communities across the country are desperate for leaders who know how to listen, tell stories, build coalitions, and imagine something better. Despite these being artist skills, they seem to be absent from elected office.

Cincinnati Artist Network The Cincinnati Artist Network (CAN) is a new initiative created to connect, support, and promote independent artists and creative entrepreneurs in the Cincinnati region. Through their partnership with the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, the organization seeks to give artists access to benefits like group health care, leadership development, and promotional support.

Additional opportunities in the Cleveland Area are available at clevelandartsevents. com/opportunities and assemblycle. org/ Applications Due: July 15, 2026 The Satellite Fund, administered by SPACES and supported by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, supports Cuyahoga County artists, curators, and cultural producers in creating ambitious public visual art projects throughout Cuyahoga County.

Assembly for the arts Creative Impact Fund Applications Due: July 17, 2026 Assembly for the Arts is proud to launch the 2026 Creative Impact Fund (CIF) —because artists deserve real, flexible resources to grow their practice and expand their impact across our region. This year, the CIF will award twenty-two (22) forward-thinking artists and creatives with $10,000 each in unrestricted funds.

The CIF is open to artists living in Cuyahoga County who have been creating impactful and inventive work in craft, dance, design, film, interdisciplinary work, media, music, theatre & performance, traditional arts, visual art, and writing/literary art. Assembly for the arts Fiscal Sponsorship Not all community projects can afford to become their own nonprofit.

The process requires time and resources that could otherwise devoted to the project itself. What’s more, this work is often ignited by members of the community who see a problem and are willing to create a solution out of their own pockets. We assemble for the greater good of the people.

Through fiscal sponsorship, we can open access to grant funds for those incredible mission-driven projects. Foundations and some donors often solely fund tax exempt organizations for many important reasons—501(c)3 requires fiscal oversight of a board, public record-keeping, proof of public good, and comes with restrictions to certain activities such as lobbying. Additional opportunities in the Columbus Area are available at gcac.

org Applications open: June 1, 2026 Application close: October 1, 2026 Individuals who work in the following disciplines: dance, fashion, film, literary, music, theater, visual and multidisciplinary arts who meet GCAC’s definition of a working artist. Learn About GCAC’s Legal Grant | In Person Workshop July 15, 2026 | 5:30 to 7 p. m.

Learn more about GCAC’s Legal Grant. What legal services are eligible? What do you need to protect your artwork, yourself and your art business?

How can I access the correct legal services? Columbus attorney Miranda Rife will host a virtual workshop about the $300 legal grant and GCAC’s lawyer referral program specifically tied to the Legal grant. Bring your questions.

Learn About GCAC’s Legal Grant | In Person Workshop July 28, 2026 | 6 to 7:30 p. m. GCAC grant applications require an artist resume to be submitted.

What is an artist resume? How is it different than my bio? Nevada visual artist Eunkang Koh will facilitate a hands-on, virtual workshop on writing your artist resume.

Come with your questions. GCAC 2026 Artist Projects Applications open (round 2): July 20, 2026 Applications close (round 2): August 24, 2026 This grant s upports artistic creation in all disciplines and bring original, new artist-led projects to life within the city of Columbus. This Grant is open to i ndividual artists and groups of artists (one person may apply on behalf of a group).

2027 Aminah Robinson Fellowship (ONLY local/Franklin County OH applicants) Applications open: August 3, 2026 Applications close: September 2, 2026 The Aminah Robinson Fellowship (Aminah Fellowship) celebrates the legacy of the late Columbus-based artist by recognizing the exemplary work of a local African American visual artist.

Fellowship recipients will have 90 days to work on projects of their choosing in a setting that was the heart of Aminah’s creative process for more than 40 years. Additional opportunities in the Dayton area are available at cultureworks. org Additional opportunities in the Toledo Area are available at theartscommission.

org City of Toledo FIG Program The Facade Improvement Grant (FIG) program helps property owners transform the facade of commercial, industrial, and mixed-use buildings located in low-to-moderate income census tracts by providing a 50% matching grant to reimburse expenses incurred during a comprehensive facade improvement. The minimum grant amount is $10,000 and the maximum grant amount is $40,000.

River Hourse Arts | Artist Submissions River House Arts accepts submissions from contemporary artists working in all types of media, including video, for consideration on an ongoing basis. 77 South High Street, Floor 2 Get advocacy updates straight to your inbox. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.