Big Yellow School Bus

The Big Yellow School Bus grant program, administered by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC), is designed to promote arts education through the support of student field trips to arts and cultural destinations across the state of Ohio. The program underscores the critical role field trips play in enriching students' academic development by providing exposure to professional arts and culturally diverse experiences that are otherwise inaccessible. The Ohio Arts Council, a state agency, administers this initiative to foster connections between students and the state’s creative sector and to reinforce in-school arts learning. This program allows schools and educational organizations to apply for grants of up to $500 to offset transportation costs for student field trips to qualifying arts events and institutions. The program operates without a matching funds requirement, and historically, most applicants receive the full amount requested. Funds may only be used for travel-related expenses, including the hiring of buses or vans, driver wages, fuel, parking fees, and accessibility-related costs. Importantly, the grant does not cover admission fees, event costs, or visits to student-only performances or college campuses unless those visits are centered around professional artists. Non-arts trips or events with only superficial arts components are also excluded. Eligibility is open to public, private, charter, and parochial schools serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as to associations of home-schooled students. Multiple applications from a single school or district are permitted during the same fiscal year, though priority will be given to first-time applicants and schools from underrepresented regions of Ohio. All applicants must demonstrate nonprofit status or intent. The goal is to promote broad access to arts education and ensure that all students—regardless of geographic or socioeconomic status—have the opportunity to participate in enriching cultural experiences. Applications must be submitted through the ARTIE online grant management system. Applicants are required to upload an official document that verifies transportation costs, such as a purchase order, rental agreement, or an official letter from a school administrator. The application process is straightforward and includes describing the purpose of the trip, detailing the destination, and linking the experience to educational standards. School staff, including teachers or administrators, must endorse the proposed activity. Applications are evaluated internally by OAC staff, with final decisions made by the agency’s executive director. The review criteria include the clarity and educational value of the trip, its alignment with learning standards, and institutional support. Payment is made only after a final report is submitted and approved, and applicants may be asked for additional documentation prior to fund disbursement. Grant recipients who fail to submit a timely final report risk disqualification from receiving further OAC grants for five years. The Big Yellow School Bus grant operates on a rolling basis, with applications accepted year-round. However, all applications must be submitted at least eight weeks in advance of the planned event. Grant award notifications are typically issued 4–5 weeks before the event. The agreement must be signed no later than two weeks before the trip, and final reports are due within 30 days following the event. For additional information, applicants can contact Chiquita Mullins Lee, Arts Learning Coordinator, at chiquita.mullinslee@oac.ohio.gov or by phone at 614-728-4455.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Arts Learning Coordinator before applying. Include official cost verification documents.