SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONS

Ohio is home to more than 5,945 nonprofit organizations that provide public programs in the arts and culture. These organizations connect Ohio citizens of all ages, abilities and backgrounds with experiences in everything from theater to dance, media to music, visual art to literature and all forms of folk and traditional art. As a key part of the state's economy, arts and cultural nonprofits provide nearly 28,930 jobs and contribute significant economic impact to the state. These nonprofits also play a vital role in the state's educational environment by enriching the school curriculum of 610 school districts through their programs and resources, and by extending creative learning opportunities for young people far beyond the school day.

The OAC was created to fund and support quality arts experiences that build Ohio culturally, educationally and economically. In order to fulfill this mission, the OAC has developed grant programs and services intended to grow and maintain a healthy arts and cultural sector that serves Ohioans in all corners of the state. The OAC seeks to achieve the following outcomes:

• Citizens broaden, deepen and diversify their participation in Ohio's arts and cultural activities;
• Citizens deepen their understanding of how the arts contribute to vibrant and healthy communities;
• Arts organizations, artists and the broader community recognize and support diversity and accessibility in arts and cultural activities in the areas of presentation, participation and inclusion.

One of the OAC's most far-reaching grant categories is Sustainability, which provides general operating support to arts and cultural organizations that make an important contribution to the vitality of Ohio communities. The OAC has several other grant categories for organizations: Project Support provides flexible funding to help organizations complete short-term projects addressing a wide variety of goals and objectives including one-time project, capacity building and creative economy projects; and Arts Access and Building Cultural Diversity broaden opportunities for citizens to participate in the arts. The Artist Express, Artist in Residence and Arts Partnership programs serve arts education needs with a focus on lifelong learning. In addition to grants, the OAC provides a wide range of services and resources to help organizations achieve their missions and fulfill their role as vital partners in community life.

At a time of great change across Ohio, arts and cultural organizations are making crucial contributions to communities through the diversification of local economies, job creation, tourism, increased pride of place, the education of young and old and renewed civic engagement. Public funding for the arts is accomplishing what no one of us can do alone. Together the programs and services of the OAC provide an essential foundation for the arts and culture in Ohio as we celebrate our past, explore the present and dream of a better future.