2027 ArtsNEXT

The ArtsNEXT program, administered by the Ohio Arts Council, provides competitive grant funding to support bold, innovative, and experimental arts projects throughout Ohio. Designed to catalyze creative breakthroughs and promote inventive thinking, ArtsNEXT awards aim to pilot new solutions, elevate community engagement through unique approaches, and foster the creation of new works. This program contributes to defining Ohio as a progressive and dynamic arts destination, where experimentation is supported and rewarded. ArtsNEXT funds projects that introduce new ideas or methods distinct from an applicant’s past programming. These projects may include pilot initiatives, new partnerships to reach underserved audiences, or adaptations of promising practices from other sectors or genres. Funded projects must go beyond routine updates or minor changes and demonstrate a clear departure from previous organizational activities. Typical eligible expenses include artist fees, production and marketing costs, educational outreach, program planning, and evaluation. Projects may also experiment with technology or environmentally sustainable artmaking processes. Applicants may request up to $25,000 in funding. A 1:1 cash match is mandatory, and grantees typically receive a portion of their request based on application score. Organizations awarded ArtsNEXT grants in a given fiscal year are ineligible to apply the following year. Entities already receiving Sustainability-Large or Statewide Arts Service Organization operating support from the OAC are also ineligible. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations or those with nonprofit intent, including arts and cultural groups, educational institutions, and government or social service agencies that provide arts programming. All applications must be submitted through the ARTIE system. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact their regional coordinator before applying. The submission window opens in November and closes at 5 p.m. on March 1 annually. Grantees are required to finalize award agreements by August 30 and submit a final report within 30 days of project completion. Awards are announced in July, and partial payment of 50% is available upon demonstrating incurred expenses and partial activity completion. Proposals are reviewed by a panel of professionals and community members, with open public access to meetings. Evaluation criteria cover Program Quality (20 points), Community Engagement (10 points), Defining and Measuring Success (20 points), and Resource Management (10 points), for a total possible score of 60. Successful applications will demonstrate substantial innovation, broad access, effective community outreach, measurable outcomes, and sound budget alignment. For regional support, contact Brianna Dance (Central and Southeastern: 614-728-4427), Patrick Roehrenbeck (Northeastern: 614-728-4413), or Jim Szekacs (Western and North Central: 614-728-4449). Full guidelines and appendices, including step-by-step application procedures and eligibility restrictions, are available via the official ArtsNEXT PDF.

Projects must significantly differ from past programming; continuation or cosmetic updates are ineligible. High-scoring applications demonstrate risk, innovation, and broad community impact.