The Arts Commission’s Project Grant

The 2025 Project Grant is a competitive funding opportunity offered by The Arts Commission to support artists in the creation or completion of original works of art. This grant aims to encourage artistic growth and creative experimentation across all mediums. It is intended for emerging, mid-career, and established artists residing or maintaining a creative studio within 30 miles of downtown Toledo, Ohio. Artists may apply for grant amounts of $2,000, $2,500, or $3,000, with the stipulation that no request exceed $3,000. Eligible applicants include individual artists and artist collectives who meet the residency criteria and are not currently enrolled in a degree or certificate-granting program. Additionally, university or college-level adjunct teachers are permitted to apply, whereas full-time faculty, commercial artists, and nonprofit organizations are excluded. Artists who have previously received a Project Grant must wait three years before reapplying, and those who received other Arts Commission grants may face eligibility restrictions based on the timing and type of previous support. Acceptable use of funds includes materials and supplies directly related to the applicant’s creative practice, project-related equipment or tools, and professional support or framing costs, with at least half of the total funding allocated to the creation of the work itself. Certain costs, such as studio rent, travel, general overhead, and technology unrelated to art creation, are not eligible. Expenses already covered by other Arts Commission grants are also ineligible. Applications must be submitted online through the Good Grants platform between May 19 and June 8, 2025, by 11:59 PM EST. Applicants are required to provide a digital portfolio including a resume, artist statement, bio, and work samples from the last three years. Additionally, a project proposal with a title, short description, budget, timeline, and responses to three narrative questions is required. Optional visual plans may also be uploaded. Proposals are evaluated by a panel of professionals and Arts Commission representatives, based on criteria such as dedication to artistic practice, impact on the artist’s career, public presence, creative merit, and feasibility. Applications are scored on a scale from 0 (Incomplete) to 3 (Exemplary). Funded applicants must sign a grant agreement, after which they will receive funding within a month. Artists are expected to meet for a progress review midway through the grant period and complete all spending by April 1, 2026. Final reports, due May 1, 2026, must include documentation of the project’s development and public presentation. For further inquiries, applicants may contact Liz Bayan, Artist Subgranting Coordinator, via email at lbayan@theartscommission.org or by phone at 419-254-2787 Ext. 1018.