ArtsRISE

June 02, 2026 | Agency LAND Studio, Harvard Lee Library Branch, Sequoia Bostick. Image by Bob Perkoski Applications for this program are now closed for FY 2027. We anticipate opening the program for applications for FY 2028 in spring 2027. Expanding Access for Historically Underrepresented Populations 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. GRANT AWARDS Applicants may request up to $5,000. Match requirements vary according to applying organizations’ annual arts programming budget (or overall budget, in the case of arts organizations)for their most recently completed fiscal year: Annual Arts Budget: Match Requirement: Less than $100,000 None More than $100,000 1:1 cash ArtsRISE grantees can anticipate receiving their full request. ELIGIBILITY All applicants must possess nonprofit status or nonprofit intent. Applicants may be: 1) arts and cultural organizations in any arts discipline (literature, performing arts, visual arts, traditional arts, multidisciplinary arts, etc.); 2) other organizations that provide arts programming (government entities, social service agencies, etc.); or 3) educational organizations (public, private, charter, and parochial schools from pre-kindergarten through university level) that demonstrate a commitment to arts programming in a larger community setting. The ArtsRISE program supports organizations made up of and/or serving historically underrepresented populations, comprised of groups whose representation has been disproportionately low relative to their numbers in the general population. Additionally, applying organizations must be either: representative of the population they serve, with at least 50 percent of staff and board combined made up of individuals from a specific historically underrepresented population, or advancing accessibility or other aspects of welcoming program design with an historically underrepresented population(s). These projects must intentionally engage this population(s) as the primary focus of the project; those seeking support for a portion of ongoing work or existing programming that is in no way focused on – yet happens to engage – a historically underrepresented population(s) will be deemed ineligible. Applicants may be: 1) arts and cultural organizations in any arts discipline (literature, performing arts, visual arts, traditional arts, multidisciplinary arts, etc.); 2) other organizations that provide arts programming (government entities, social service agencies, etc.); or 3) educational organizations (public, private, charter, and parochial schools from pre-kindergarten through university level) that demonstrate a commitment to arts programming in a larger community setting. Historically underrepresented populations are comprised of groups whose representation has been disproportionately low relative to their numbers in the general population. ArtsRISE awards may not be used to fund activities described in and already being supported through another OAC grant award. Sustainability Mid-Sized and Small grantees may apply but may not request funding to support established programming; Sustainability-Large organization or Statewide Arts Service Organization are ineligible to apply to ArtsRISE. No organization may receive more than two ArtsRISE grants in any three fiscal year period. Please refer to Appendix A for other OAC funding restrictions that may affect your project’s eligibility. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS ArtsRISE grants are awards for activities representative of a historically underrepresented community and/or organizations’ efforts focused on being welcoming and accessible in partnership with historically underrepresented populations. Projects should have a deep and lasting impact on the organization’s practices that extend beyond the funded grant period. Awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, with applications reviewed bimonthly. Activities should occur no earlier than 90 days after the date your application is submitted. Grants will be made until funds are exhausted, or until August 30, whichever comes first. Eligible activities will vary greatly according to the organization applying, population being served, and project goals. Sample activities could include: developing a creative writing program with justice-impacted citizens presenting a concert series focused on the music of composers from culturally specific or ethnic communities featuring Mexican cultural traditions led by a mentor artist at a summer camp for high school students from lower income communities initiating a new partnership with a local Board of Development Disabilities to provide art classes with people with disabilities Projects that engage staff and board in training are encouraged to contact their regional coordinator to discuss the OAC’s Capacity Building program. After accepting the grant award in ARTIE, grantees may request a partial payment of 50% of their total grant award. To request a partial payment, grantees must complete an online request certifying that the grant activity has been partially completed and expenses have been incurred. No partial payments will be made within two mont