- Grants approved for 25 organizations
The Greater Columbus Arts Council board of trustees has approved 25 grants totaling $1,498,772 in Operating Support: Phase Two.
The grants are combination of funds that the Arts Council received from the city of Columbus, through the hotel/motel bed tax and the arts and culture fee, and from Franklin County.
“The nonprofit and for profit creative sector is a major economic driver in our region, supporting more than 60,000 jobs and generating over $9 billion in economic impact annually,” said Tom Katzenmeyer, president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council. “We’re grateful to the city of Columbus and the Franklin County Commissioners for their generous support, which helps sustain our city’s nonprofit cultural organizations, particularly during these challenging times, allowing them to retain staff and programming, while continuing to provide the educational and artistic experiences our community members count on.”
As part of the Arts Council’s pandemic response, the Operating Support application deadline and the 2020 Operating Support process was modified to allocate awards in three phases. This enabled organizations to assess the impact of Ohio’s Stay-at-Home orders, focus on virtual programming and work on forecast scenarios.
Phase One grants were approved in June for a total of $1,498,772. Prior to Phase Two, organizations submitted updated financials, planning documents and surveys about reopening, staffing, equity work and other details. The organizations will submit updated financials and planning documents to the Arts Council in December prior to Phase Three funding awards as well.
Operating Support funds are available to established arts and culture organizations with an average three-year adjusted audited revenue of at least $150,000, that are well managed, have significant impact and broad community engagement. Award amounts are contingent upon funds available.
For Phase Two of Operating Support grants, the Arts Council awarded $1,498,772 to the following 25 organizations:
| Organization | Phase Two Award |
| Actors’ Theatre of Columbus | $11,629 |
| Ballet Metropolitan, Inc. | $107,663 |
| CAPA | $109,125 |
| CATCO | $50,969 |
| Chamber Music Columbus | $8,617 |
| Columbus Children’s Choir | $13,233 |
| Columbus Children’s Theatre | $47,684 |
| Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus | $18,290 |
| Columbus Landmarks Foundation | $15,400 |
| Columbus Museum of Art | $106,875 |
| Columbus Symphony Orchestra | $111,375 |
| COSI | $110,250 |
| Franklin Park Conservatory | $104,625 |
| Gateway Film Center | $70,833 |
| Glass Axis | $23,336 |
| Jazz Arts Group | $67,705 |
| King Arts Complex | $43,969 |
| Ohio Designer Craftsmen | $39,357 |
| Ohio History Connection/Ohio Historical Society | $65,226 |
| Opera Columbus | $54,668 |
| ProMusica | $63,411 |
| Shadowbox Live | $95,625 |
| Short North Stage | $38,388 |
| Thurber House | $25,906 |
| Wexner Center for the Arts | $94,613 |
In 2019, Operating Support grants totaling $5,312,563 were awarded to 25 organizations. This included funding from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners awarded in the fall of 2019.
