Visit Canton Cultural Tourism Grants

Visit Canton, in partnership with ArtsinStark, administers the Cultural Tourism Grant program with the purpose of enhancing regional tourism through arts and cultural initiatives. This program is designed to increase visitor attendance and economic impact in Stark County, Ohio by funding projects that deliver distinctive cultural experiences and attract out-of-county guests. The 2026 program will invest up to $200,000 in total for approved projects. The grant supports eligible organizations and initiatives such as visual arts institutions, museums, performing arts venues, theaters, historic attractions, cultural sites, and community festivals and events. Applications are evaluated based on their ability to attract new visitors, provide unique arts and cultural experiences not readily available within 90 miles or 90 days of the project, and demonstrate collaborative community involvement. Applicants must show that projects cannot rely solely on Cultural Tourism Grant funds and must secure a minimum 50% match in funding, which may include in-kind contributions or other grants. Applicants may request up to $20,000 per project. However, the total grant amount awarded to a single organization per cycle cannot exceed $20,000, even if multiple project applications are submitted. Eligible expenses include marketing and production costs for exhibitions, temporary installations, seasonal productions, and nationally touring entertainment. Funding may also support cultural components of community festivals and special events, up to a limit of $5,000. Ineligible expenses include staffing, venue rental, equipment rental, and food or alcohol costs. Repeat events are only eligible if the requested funds are for new, qualifying expenses. Applications for the first cycle, which covers projects scheduled between January 1 and June 30, 2026, are accepted from September 10 to October 10, 2025, with award notifications issued by October 24, 2025. The second cycle, for projects scheduled between July 1 and December 31, 2026, opens for applications from February 18 to March 20, 2026, with award announcements on April 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the proposed project execution. The evaluation process is competitive and scoring favors projects that include multiple community partners. Awardees must acknowledge support by including Visit Canton and ArtsinStark logos in all marketing materials. Upon approval, 70% of the grant will be disbursed following receipt of a signed Memorandum of Understanding, with the remaining 30% released upon submission and approval of a final evaluation report. This report must include detailed expense records, attendance metrics, and economic impact analysis. Failure to submit the report within 30 days of project completion will result in forfeiture of the remaining grant amount and negatively affect future eligibility.

Showcase multiple partnerships in the application to improve competitiveness; complete all documentation to avoid disqualification.