ArtsWave's Community Investment Strategy

At ArtsWave, we want everyone in Greater Cincinnati to experience the positive benefits of the arts — a more vibrant regional economy and more connected communities. ArtsWave's Blueprint for Collective Action in the Arts outlines five objectives for arts organizations looking to create that greater vibrancy and connection: building the region's ability to attract employees and businesses through distinctive arts offerings; deepening the roots of residents through arts engagement; bridging cultural divides through diverse and inclusive programming; enlivening neighborhoods with art; and fueling creativity and learning in all kids. We ask grant recipients to help us realize these important community benefits through their own programs.

All applicant organizations are asked to demonstrate how their work aligns to one or more of these five strategic areas. We recommend downloading and reviewing this document to familiarize yourself with ArtsWave's Blueprint before applying for support.

Grant Programs and Funding Opportunities

To receive email notifications when grant programs open for funding, sign up for ArtsWave's Grants & Resources email list.

FY2023 Grant Programs (9/1/22-8/31/23)

The purpose of ArtsWave’s general operating grant program is to provide general operating support to arts and cultural heritage organizations whose programming supports the goals of ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action to ensure their ongoing capacity to drive community impact.

The Letter of Intent (LOI) application is for organizations that are not currently receiving general operating support through ArtsWave's Sustaining Impact program. The LOI application will be open between November 17-December 28, 2022. Organizations that apply before the deadline will be notified if they will be invited to complete a full application by January 20, 2023.

Please read through the guidelines listed below and register for our LOI Application Overview for more information

The purpose of the ArtsWave Pride Grant Program is to promote, celebrate, and create inclusive arts experiences that may appeal to or have relevance to the broader LGBTQIA community. ArtWave Pride grants will provide funding for arts or cultural heritage projects that advance Cincinnati’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive community through the arts.

The FY2023 ArtsWave Pride Grant is now closed. Final reports are due by August 31, 2023. Please log in to your Submittable account to complete your final report at any time.

We anticipate opening our FY2024 ArtsWave Pride Grant in September 2023, pending funding.

Note: Applicants must take at least one year off from applying after receiving two consecutive Pride Grants beginning with our FY2023 grant cycle.

ArtsWave YP grants provide both seed funding to support the development of new programming, as well as existing programming with demonstrated impact in engaging young professionals. Grants are made possible by the donations of young professionals to the 2022 ArtsWave Community Campaign.

The FY2023 Young Professionals grant is now closed. Final reports are due by August 31, 2023. Please log in to your Submittable account to complete your final report at any time.

We anticipate opening our FY2024 Young Professionals Grant in September 2023, pending funding.

Note: Applicants must take off at least one year after receiving two consecutive Young Professional Grants beginning with our FY2023 grant cycle.

The Circle's African American Arts grants program will strengthen the capacity for arts presenting, producing, programming and instruction at organizations led by or predominantly serving Black Cincinnatians. The program is one way that ArtsWave is working to increase the sustainability of organizations that focus on the preservation and advancement of Black arts and culture. Eligible organizations have a mission related to the African American experience and a majority (51%+) of annual expenditures dedicated to arts and cultural activities.

The FY2022 Circle's African American Arts Grant is now closed. Final reports are due by July 31, 2023. Please log in to your Submittable account to complete your final report at any time.

We anticipate opening our FY2023 Circle's African American Arts Grant in Summer 2023, pending funding.

Note: Applicants must take at least one year off after receiving two consecutive Circle Grants.

The purpose of the Catalyzing Impact Grant Program is to encourage a breadth of programming through arts and cultural heritage projects that support the goals of ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action. Grant awards will be made up to $10,000 or 50% of the total expenses for the proposed project.

Organizations may only submit one application per deadline, and organizations may only receive one Catalyzing Impact Grant in a single fiscal year, and after two years of awards, applicants must take at least one year off.

The FY2022 Catalyzing Impact Grant is now closed. Final reports are due by January 31, 2023. Please log in to your Submittable account to complete your final report when project is complete.

We anticipate our next round of Catalyzing Impact grants to open in January 2023, pending funding.

Note: Applicants must take at least one year off after receiving two consecutive Catalyzing Impact Grants.

ArtsWave distributed ARP funding to help rebuild Cincinnati's arts sector in the wake of $140+ million in lost revenue and a year of shuttered venues through free, live outdoor arts and cultural events within the City of Cincinnati.

All ARP City of Cincinnati Performance and Event grant programs are closed. Final reports will be due in December 2022. Please log in to your Submittable account to complete your Final Report at any time.

ArtsWave offers interest-free loans up to $10,000 for demonstrated short-term cash flow needs for eligible arts or cultural heritage organizations. There is no deadline to apply.

Funded by City of Cincinnati and other partners

ArtsWave’s Black and Brown Artists program will provide financial support for Black and Brown artists in the Greater Cincinnati Region to continue to explore the themes of our times. As we are emerging from a global pandemic, projects should use the arts to explore the themes of Healing, Rebirth and Reconnecting to build upon the current artistic commentary of health and race and to connect it with historical events and visions of a more equitable future.

The FY2023 Black and Brown Artists Grant Program is now closed. Mid-term reports for grant recipients will be due by March 1, 2023.

We anticipate our next round of Black and Brown Artists Program grants to open in September 2024, pending funding.

Note: Applicants must take off at least one year after receiving two consecutive Black and Brown Artists Grants, beginning with our FY2023 grant cycle.