2027 ArtSTART

The ArtSTART grant program, administered by the Ohio Arts Council, provides general project support for a wide array of short-term artistic initiatives. The Council is a state agency dedicated to supporting and fostering the arts across Ohio, with ArtSTART specifically designed to assist new, emerging, and geographically underserved organizations. This program is especially beneficial for first-time applicants and organizations located in areas without robust arts programming infrastructure, making it a vital tool in promoting inclusive access to the arts statewide. ArtSTART supports projects across all artistic disciplines, including visual, literary, performing, traditional, and multidisciplinary arts. Grant funds can be used to cover diverse project expenses such as artist fees, marketing, program planning, administration, education, and evaluation. Sample eligible projects include community festival dance performances, seasonal exhibitions, accessible theater productions, and local concert series. However, all applicants must comply with Ohio Arts Council restrictions detailed in Appendix A, which outlines disallowed expenses and activities. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate nonprofit status or intent and may include arts organizations, educational institutions, government bodies, or social service agencies that provide community-based arts programming. Institutions currently funded under the Council's Sustainability or Statewide Arts Service Organizations programs are not eligible. Notably, educational institutions from preschool through higher education are eligible if they deliver programming that engages broader community audiences. Applications are submitted online through the ARTIE system. After award notification, grantees may request an initial disbursement of 50% of the total grant amount upon verification of incurred expenses and partial project completion. Final payment is contingent upon the submission and approval of a final report. No partial payments will be issued within two months of the project’s official end date. ArtSTART applications are evaluated by a panel of professionals and community members using four core criteria: Program Quality, Community Engagement, Defining and Measuring Success, and Resource Management. Each category is assigned a score, with a maximum of 60 points possible. Applications are scored based on artistic merit, community relevance, planning rigor, and organizational capacity. The FY 2026 application cycle opens in November 2024 with a submission deadline of April 1, 2025. Awards are announced in July 2025, and grant agreements are due by August 30, 2025. A similar timeline applies to FY 2027. This program operates annually, with the next cycle expected to open in November 2025. Contact details for regional representatives are provided, including Brianna Dance (Central/Southeast), Patrick Roehrenbeck (Northeast), and Jim Szekacs (West/North Central).

Emphasize community engagement, artistic quality, and diversity in planning and staffing.