15 December Ohio Legislature Passes $50 Million in ARPA Arts Relief December 15, 2022 Executive Message, For Organizations, For the Public american rescue plan, american rescule plan act, arp, arpa, arts relief, covid, covid relief, covid-19, dewine, governor, governor mike dewine, museums, nonprofits, ohio department of development, ohio general assembly, ohio legislature, performing arts 0 Colleagues, We have exciting news to share with you today! $50 Million in Arts Relief An additional $50 million in arts relief for nonprofit performing arts organizations and museums has been approved by the Ohio General Assembly. The legislation awaits signature by Governor Mike DeWine, which is expected. As has been the case in several states, this second round of arts relief funding will be administered by the state’s economic development agency, rather than the state’s arts agency. That means the Ohio Department of Development will be your main point of contact and administrator for these funds, rather than the Ohio Arts Council. This latest round of relief demonstrates continued strong, bipartisan support for public funding for the arts in Ohio. Thanks to the efforts of arts advocates throughout the state, nonprofit performing arts organizations and museums will benefit and improve their financial standing in 2023. These funds come from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). When the Ohio Department of Development releases its application process for these funds, we will be sure to promote it broadly, in partnership with our peers in state government and in service to you, our constituents. Please do note that the law specifies 1) that priority will be given to those who previously did not receive CARES Act funding from the Ohio Arts Council; 2) that organizations and museums applying for funds have an independent, annual audit; and 3) that other requirements are met. (If you are unsure whether your organization received CARES Act funding from us, please contact us.) The text of the legislation is available and will inform future application forms, so feel free to get familiar with the legislative text while we await more information. OAC Grant Applications Are Open! In the meantime, we hope you are getting your applications ready for our many spring deadlines for operating support, project support, arts education, and individual artist grants. Our professional staff is always ready and able to help you with your applications and answer your questions. To get ready: Review our grant programs at www.oac.ohio.gov/grants Read more about our changes to this version of the grant Guidelines As we gear up for this grants season and our next state operating budget, we look forward to your work and advocacy. Public funding for the arts through the Ohio Arts Council is at an all-time, historic high, and we count on your support to keep OAC arts funding as strong and robust as it possibly can be for you – now, and in all the years to come. Until next time, Donna S. Collins, Executive Director Comments are closed.