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 & Funding Opportunities
FY2021 Grant Programs (9/1/20-8/31/21)
To receive email notifications when grant programs open for funding, sign up for
ArtsWave's Grants & Resources email list on the left-hand side of this page.
SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONS
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.
ArtsWave will host a free webinar to go over The Circle grants program guidelines, the application process and any questions you have about the program. The one-hour webinar will be held on Tuesday, July 13 at 4:00 p.m. Click here to register and for more details.
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. ArtsWave will have two rounds of Catalyzing Impact funding this year. 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.
The FY21 Catalyzing Impact Round 2 deadline was March 3, 2021. Funding decisions will be shared on or after April 9, 2021.
Details for the next round of Catalyzing Impact grants will be shared in Summer 2021.
The Hamilton County CARES Arts and Culture Organization Relief Program will cover costs of necessary expenditures incurred by Hamilton County arts and culture organizations due to the COVID-19 public health emergency between March 1, 2020 and December 15, 2020. Eligible applicants that are located in Hamilton County and that have arts and cultural programming as their core mission must submit their materials through ArtsWave’s website by October 23, 2020.
We are no longer accepting applications at this time.
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 FY2021 application deadline has passed. Details on the FY2022 application will be made available fall 2021.
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 2020 ArtsWave Community Campaign.
The FY2021 application deadline has passed. Details on the FY2022 application will be made available summer 2021.
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.
a City of
Cincinnati/ArtsWave COVID-19 artist relief grant program
ArtsWave is administering the Cincinnati Arts Access Fund (CAAF), which was established in October 2020 with funding allocated by the City of Cincinnati through the CARES Act for pandemic-related, arts-worker relief. Grants of $1,000 for an expected 200 individual artists who live in the city of Cincinnati will be distributed in two rounds, with all funds distributed before the end of 2020. Grant awards will be based on clear demonstration of lost work and financial hardship due to the coronavirus and are contingent on available funds. Awards will reflect the broadest possible range of diversity based on the applicant pool.
The application deadline has passed.
The Regional Artist Relief program will provide relief funding to Greater Cincinnati artists who have lost work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants of $1,000 for an expected 100 individual artists will be distributed in two rounds. Grant awards will be based on clear demonstration of lost work and financial hardship due to the coronavirus and are contingent on available funds. Awards will reflect the broadest possible range of diversity based on the applicant pool.
The application deadline has passed.
funded by City of Cincinnati, ArtsWave, and Duke Energy
ArtsWave, City of Cincinnati and Duke Energy announce $200,000 to be awarded through a new joint grantmaking program for Black and Brown artists. Artists of any artistic discipline are invited to propose projects on the theme of “truth and reconciliation” that help lead the community toward a more just and equitable future. Eligible artists can apply for up to $10,000.
The FY2021 application deadline has passed. Details on the FY2022 application will be made available later this year.