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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.  In fall 2015, ArtsWave released the Blueprint for Collective Action in the Arts which outlines five community goals, a roadmap for their achievement, and a framework for ArtsWave’s community investment strategy and grant programs for the next ten years.

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

โ€‹Interested in applying for funding from ArtsWave?

Grant Programs for FY20 (September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2020) are as follows:

African American Arts Grant Program

ArtsWave Grants for African American Arts 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 application for funding is now open. Please use this link to access the application form on ArtsWave's grants portal. Please use the grant guidelines and blank budget template below to aid your application process. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2020 at 5PM EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

ArtsWave will host a free, online webinar to go over the African American Arts Grant Program Guidelines and the application process. The webinar will be held on Thursday, March 5 from 4-5pm. For details and to register, please visit this link. The webinar session will then be recorded and made available on ArtsWave’s website.

NOTE: First time applicants must contact ArtsWave to schedule an introductory phone call at least one week prior to the application deadline. Please contact Krista Bondi at 513-632-0103 or Krista.Bondi@ArtsWave.org.

FY2020 African American Arts Grant Guidelines
FY2020 African American Arts Grant Budget Form

Catalyzing Impact Grant Program

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.
 
The application for funding is now open. Please use this link to access the application form on ArtsWave's grants portal. Please use the grant guidelines and blank budget template below to aid your application process. The deadline to apply is March 3, 2020 at 5PM EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

NOTE: First time applicants must contact ArtsWave to schedule an introductory phone call at least one week prior to the application deadline. Please contact Krista Bondi at 513-632-0103 or Krista.Bondi@ArtsWave.org.

FY2020 Catalyzing Impact Grant Guidelines
FY2020 Catalyzing Impact Grant Budget Form
Catalyzing Impact Webinar 2-5-2020

Technology Advancement Program

Technology Advancement Grants up to $7,500 are available through ArtsWave on a competitive basis for organizations with budgets less than $750,000.

The deadline to apply for funding has passed.

ArtsWave Pride Grant Program

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 deadline to apply for funding has passed. Please check back in fall 2020 for more information on the next cycle of grants.
 

Young Professionals Grant Program

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 2019 ArtsWave Community Campaign.

The deadline to apply for funding has passed. Please check back in spring 2020 for more information on the next cycle of grants.

Working Capital Bridge Loan

โ€‹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.

ArtsWave Grantee Portal

To access the Submittable grantee portal, click here.

Use this link to access in-progress and/or submitted applications within Submittable. To apply for a new grant, please use the program-specific links above.
To access ArtsWave's former grantee portal, click here.

On October 1, 2019, ArtsWave launched our new grantmaking software system, Submittable. Please use this link to access in-progress and/or submitted applications completed prior to October 1st. To apply for a new grant, please use the program-specific links above.

Current Grantee Resources

Current grantee? Click here for additional resources.

Use this link to access grantee handbooks and final report forms.