The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) board of trustees has approved $1,176,236 in Project Support grants to 74 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, including Asian Festival Corp., Central Ohio Bengali Cultural Association, Columbus African Festival, Columbus Jewish Community Center, Federation Of Asian Indian Association of Central Ohio, Latino Arts for Humanity, Ohio Ghana Festival, Ohio Kung Fu Tai Chi Association, Somali American Museum, Somali Cultural Festival and Spotlight Columbus, Inc.

The Project Support grant program provides funding to Franklin County nonprofits for a broad range of arts and cultural projects, including performances, exhibitions, festivals, locally produced film presentations and community events where the arts are at the core of the project. Projects must be open to the public, include significant participation of professional artists and have an implementation plan outlined at time of submission.

New for 2025, Project Support utilized a national jury panel made up of 28 nonprofit administrators, community arts leaders and discipline-specific experts from outside of Columbus. Reviewers were trained prior to scoring and were also provided with guiding rubrics and manuals along the way.

2025 Project Support received several first-time applicants including organizations such as 614US, Ohio Kung Fu Tai Chi Association and New Albany Symphony Orchestra. Returning applicants include the Old Towne East Jazz Festival, Art Possible Ohio, Hixon Dance and others.

“Serving as a juror for the Greater Columbus Arts Council was a truly rewarding experience,” said juror Melissa Astin, director of grants and community engagement for ArtsBuild in Chattanooga, TN.

“It was an honor to contribute to the grant-making process and witness firsthand the vibrant and growing arts community in the Columbus region. GCAC exemplifies the best practices in arts funding and cultural support, and I’m proud to have been part of their important work.”

Juror Bently Spang, a Northern Cheyenne multidisciplinary artist, educator, writer and curator said, “It was gratifying to see the courage, diversity, innovation and dedication so forthright in these projects, despite the challenges we all face today. The arts are alive and thriving in Columbus!”

Floyd Hall, who served as juror and is a cultural producer and media strategist from Atlanta, added, “It was inspiring to see the range of projects that reflect innovation and traditions within the greater Columbus area, and the intentionality of artists and institutions to emphasize experiences that bring that community together.”

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