Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik have announced that Ohio is awarding more than $23 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support arts organizations statewide.
One hundred thirty-nine organizations based in 35 counties will receive grant funding totaling $23,252,605.78 as part of the first round of the Ohio Arts Economic Relief Grant Program. The grant program was created in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly as part of a bill sponsored by State Senator George Lang (R-West Chester), which was later merged into House Bill (HB) 45. Over 400 groups applied for grants.
The program is funded as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, and awards were calculated based on organizations’ loss in revenue from 2019 to 2020 and 2021 and their 2022 operating budget.
According to DeWine, this funding will help dozens of local arts organizations statewide to ensure communities have access to programming and learning activities.
“Ohio’s arts communities are an integral part of why Ohio stands out as a great place to live and a great place to visit. These grants will help ensure that communities continue to have access to the programming and learning experiences Ohioans love,” DeWine said.
The highest grants, totaling $1.5 million each, went to four organizations: the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts. The amount of $1.3 million went to the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
Cleveland’s ChamberFest received the least funding $376.
The organizations can use the funding to help pay for employee compensation, excluding bonuses; employee recruitment, rehiring, and training expenses; rent or mortgage payments; and operating costs.
According to Husted, funding Ohio’s arts organizations helps improve the quality of life across all communities.
“Providing supports to Ohio art organizations and museums underscores our commitment to promoting creativity in our state, which ultimately spurs innovation and encourages economic growth, improving the quality of life across all communities,” Husted said.
Organizations eligible for the grant funding had to be performing arts organizations that produce or present performances in music, comedy, the performing arts or related fields, or cultural arts museums with a primary purpose related to exhibiting.
According to Mihalik, supporting local arts organizations is essential to Ohio.
“Our vibrant arts scene is an essential part of who we are. By supporting the work of our local arts organizations, we’re helping empower our creatives to succeed and showcasing Ohio as the heart of creativity,” Mihalik said.
Through the program, $50 million is accessible, and a second round of funding will be revealed in the upcoming weeks.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Jon Husted” by Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted.
