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Arts Innovation—Project Support for New and Innovative Activities

This program will be on hiatus during FY2011. No applications are being accepted at this time. Posted October 20, 2009.

The Arts Innovation program supports projects designed to enliven and invigorate Ohio communities and cultivate the creative spirit of their citizens. Arts Innovation grants are awarded to organizations proposing imaginative projects that involve the production of new works of art that stretch the boundaries of conventional disciplines or forms, use unusual collaborations and program design, respond to new conditions or technologies, or promote access for new audiences in ground-breaking ways.

These grants encourage arts and cultural organizations to take calculated risks while embracing exploration, invention and originality in their programming, management, service delivery and cultural participation strategies. Projects should be new to the organization and cannot have been previously offered as part of ongoing programming. The competitive application and open review process ensures that only the most exemplary projects receive funding. Applications must evidence superior artistic, educational and cultural value for their proposed activities and demonstrate a clear departure from current offerings. Organizations must also show effective strategies for building participation, planning, evaluation and organizational management. Through the support of outstanding projects that embody the best new strategies, ideas and arts experiences, the OAC is making a significant investment in the dynamic evolution of the arts in Ohio.

Before applying to this program you must read the program Guidelines, and Appendix A: Legal Requirements. Applications are accepted using the Online Grant Application system (OLGA). If you have questions about the program that are not addressed in the Guidelines, you may wish to consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, or contact your regional program coordinator for more information.

Nomination for Panel Membership form
Please use this form to nominate yourself or another individual to serve on an Ohio Arts Council (OAC) grant review panel. Nominations may be made by any interested individual or organization in Ohio, and are accepted year-round. Nominations must include: a statement of the nominee's qualifications, specifically addressing panel membership criteria; name of the panel(s) to which the individual is being nominated, and; a copy of the nominee's current résumé. For more information contact Karine Aswad at karine.aswad@oac.state.oh.us or 614/728-4445.

Arts Innovation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General grants process FAQ

Resources

Organizational Capacity and Project Planning Worksheets
A useful resource for small-mid size organizations for organizational and project planning.

Accessibility
Find out more about ADA, access marketing resources and accessibility symbols, link to state, regional and national organizations, download the Accessibility Planning and Resource Guide for Cultural Administrators and more.

OAC Resources
Learn more about Ohio Arts Council research, explore a variety of arts learning resources, and visit links to national, regional and statewide arts and cultural organizations.

OAC Databases
Search for Ohio arts and cultural organizations, review past OAC grant recipients, locate festivals, artists and creative writers, search Capacity Building consultants, and much more.

Focusing the Light: The Art and Practice of Planning
Each of the seven volumes in Focusing the Light, developed by the Ohio Arts Council, offers clear, proven steps to help maximize your efforts and steer your organization toward winning results. With this series, you’ll learn to: create a comprehensive project plan; define and describe a course of action; gain support for the plan; implement plan activities; document your program’s efforts and successes, and; evaluate and refine the plan.

Secretary of State, State of Ohio
A source of information for how to apply for not for profit status in the state of Ohio. Obtain forms and download a legal guide for non-profit organizations.

ArtsinOhio.com
A terrific FREE way to promote your organization's events. Register at www.OhioEventFinder.com and begin entering your events today!

As required by section 119.03 of the Ohio Revised Code, the Ohio Arts Council hereby gives notice of its intent to share with the public a new rule regarding the circumstances under which councilmembers are prohibited from participating in the determination of financial support for OAC-funded organizations of which they are board members or employees. The hearing will be held Thursday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m., in Room 420 on the 4th floor of the Rhodes State Office Tower.