Merit Awards

The Merit Award from The Arts Commission recognizes exemplary artistic work completed within the past five years by local Established or Mid-career artists in the literary, performing, or visual arts. Designed to honor creativity and encourage continued exploration in artistic practice, the program provides three unrestricted awards of $4,000 each. These awards support regional artists by allowing them to invest in materials, time, and resources to further their practice without requiring a proposed project or reimbursement. Eligible applicants must have had either their home or creative studio within 30 miles of downtown Toledo, Ohio for at least two consecutive years and must continue to reside or maintain their studio in the area throughout the award period. While past recipients of Merit Awards must wait three years before reapplying, those who received other grants from The Arts Commission, such as Project Grants, may still apply. Applications are only accepted from individual artists or collaborative groups under a lead artist’s name and must represent original work. Artists employed by The Arts Commission or serving on its Board of Trustees are ineligible. The application process is managed through the Good Grants platform and opened on September 22, 2025, closing at 11:59 PM ET on October 19, 2025. Applicants must submit a comprehensive digital portfolio, including a CV, artist statement, biography, work sample narrative, recent work samples, and descriptions of each work. High-quality documentation and alignment of the artist’s narrative with submitted work are essential, as applications are evaluated on outstanding technique, originality, dedication to practice, and documentation relevance. Submitted applications are reviewed by a regional panel of artists representing the visual, literary, and performing arts. Though The Arts Commission’s executive officers participate as non-voting members, they do not score submissions. Panelists will individually score applications and convene in November via video conference to finalize funding recommendations. Notification of awards is expected by early December, and public announcements of the recipients will follow later that month. Grant funds must be used within six months of receipt to support activities that advance the artist's practice. Awardees are expected to serve on one Grant Panel in the following year and participate in a recorded interview reflecting on the award’s impact. Final reports are due by July 1, 2026. For inquiries, applicants can contact Liz Bayan, Artist Subgranting Coordinator, at lbayan@theartscommission.org or 419.254.2787 ext. 1018.

Ensure work sample documentation is high quality and directly supports your application narrative. Articulate your dedication and originality in both statement and narrative.