INTRODUCTION

PUBLIC PURPOSES OF THE ARTS

	1)	The arts help define what it is to be an American--by building a sense of the nation's identity, by reinforcing the reality of American pluralism, by advancing democratic values at home and by advancing democratic values and peace abroad.
	2)	The arts contribute to quality of life and economic growth-by making American communities more livable and more prosperous and by increasing the nation's prosperity at home and abroad.
	3)	The arts help form an educated and aware citizenry-by promoting understanding in our diverse society, by developing competence in school and at work and by advancing freedom of inquiry and the open exchange of ideas and values.
	4)	The arts enhance individual life-by encouraging individual creativity, spirit and potential and by providing release, relaxation and entertainment.

GOALS OF THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL'S 2006-2009 STRATEGIC PLAN

1. Invest in Ohio's rich cultural resources.
   
2. Communicate the value of the arts.
   
3. Help citizens of all ages learn and thrive through the arts.
   
4. Encourage and facilitate widespread participation in the arts.
   
5. Foster vibrant and healthy communities through the arts.
   
6. Sustain and cultivate strategic partnerships that broaden support for the arts.

The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency established in 1965 to foster and encourage the development of the arts and preservation of Ohio's cultural heritage. Our mission is to support quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically. With funds from the Ohio Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, we provide financial assistance to artists, arts organizations and nonprofit organizations that provide arts programming for their communities.

OUR BOARD

The Ohio Arts Council Board is composed of 15 voting members appointed by the Governor and four nonvoting legislative members. The Council Board is responsible for overseeing and implementing agency policy. The Council Board is responsible for final approval or disapproval of funding support requests. The Council Board invites the public to attend its policy meetings in the fall and grant recommendation review meetings in the spring and summer. Most panel meetings and other scheduled meetings held to carry on the business of agency programs are open to the public.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

The Endowment receives annual appropriations from Congress from which it awards matching grants to nonprofit, tax-exempt arts organizations of outstanding quality and individual fellowships to artists of exceptional talent in literature, folk arts and jazz. In its history, the NEA has awarded more than 120,000 grants that have brought art to Americans in communities large and small. The Arts Endowment gives grants to non-profit organizations in these areas: Access to Artistic Excellence, Learning in the Arts, Challenge America and Partnership Agreements. Forty percent of its funds are awarded to state jurisdictional arts agencies and six regional arts organizations.

The Endowment is directed by a chairman, appointed by the President of the United States for a four year term and advised by the National Council on the Arts, a 26-member body of distinguished private citizens who are widely recognized for their expertise or interest in the arts, also appointed by the President. For information about programs and grants, contact the National Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20506-0001; phone 202/682-5400 or 202/682-5496 TDD, www.arts.gov.

ABOUT ARTS MIDWEST

Arts Midwest connects the arts to audiences throughout a nine-state region of the Midwest providing meaningful arts opportunities, sharing creativity, knowledge, and understanding across boundaries. Member states include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. One of the six nonprofit regional arts organizations in the United States, Arts Midwest's history spans more than 25 years. Arts Midwest reaches close to a million people annually by initiating cultural programs including performances by high-quality theater, dance and music ensembles; educational arts activities, visual arts exhibitions; and conferences.

Arts Midwest's partners and investors include the National Endowment for the Arts, foundations, corporations, individual supporters and nine member state arts agencies. As members of Arts Midwest, state arts agencies (Illinois Arts Council, Indiana Arts Commission, Iowa Arts Council, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Minnesota State Arts Board, North Dakota Council on the Arts, Ohio Arts Council, South Dakota Arts Council and Wisconsin Arts Board) ensure access to Arts Midwest's programs and services for constituents in their state. Through strategic alliances, key programs reach into Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and beyond.

For information about funding, contact Arts Midwest, 2908 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 200, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408-1954; phone 612/341-0755 or 612/822-2956 TDD, fax 612/341-0902, www.artsmidwest.org.

ABOUT OHIO CITIZENS FOR THE ARTS

Ohio Citizens for the Arts (OCA) is a statewide, nonprofit, grass-roots, membership organization working to increase public support for the arts in Ohio. Incorporated in 1976, OCA now represents all geographic areas of the state and all arts disciplines. It continues to work for increased funding for the arts in Ohio and increased public awareness of the arts by informing local citizens of the needs of the arts in Ohio; promoting citizens and arts organizational involvement in the statewide arts advocacy network; contacting Ohio's legislators and explaining issues that are important to the arts locally and statewide; bringing arts-related issues to the attention of the local media; and promoting greater support of the arts and arts advocacy efforts in business and industry. Throughout the state, OCA enables effective advocacy for funding of the Ohio Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

OCA monitors and speaks out on public policy issues affecting the arts and arts education in Ohio and maintains a year-round presence at the state-house through a professional lobbyist and a network of volunteer arts advocates.

For more information, contact Ohio Citizens for the Arts, Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, 77 South High Street, Second Floor, Columbus Ohio 43215-6108, phone 614/221-4064, fax 614/5329, www.ohiocitizensforthearts.org.