Ohio, NKY orgs receive $140K total to support arts efforts

The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded a total of $140,000 to six organizations in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky focused on supporting residents through creative and cultural initiatives.

These grants were part of the NEA’s first funding round for federal fiscal year 2025.

In total, $585,000 went to 30 Ohio arts organizations and individuals, while nationwide, the NEA distributed 1,474 grants totaling $36.79 million.

Local recipients included the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Opera Association, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Miami University and Northern Kentucky Symphony Inc. (Kentucky Symphony Orchestra).

The funding will support a variety of projects, from an outdoor concert series to a web-based application aimed at providing creative and social engagement for people living with dementia.

“It is inspiring to see the wide range of creative projects taking place – those that address our past and help us consider our future, integrate arts and culture in new ways into our lives and communities, and provide powerful opportunities for people throughout our nation to come together through a shared arts experience,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson.

Ohio shows up big this funding cycle

The NEA awarded grants through several programs, including Grants for Arts Projects, Challenge America, Literature Fellowships, and Research Awards.

Ohio organizations received between $10,000 and $40,000. The funded projects span a wide range of artistic disciplines, including dance, design, film, literary arts, music, opera, theatre and visual arts.

Of the state’s awards, 22 came through the Grants for Arts Projects program, which supports efforts to strengthen the nation’s arts and culture ecosystem. Five Ohio nonprofits received $10,000 Challenge America grants, aimed at supporting small organizations that serve underserved communities.

Three Ohio writers received $25,000 Literary Fellowships in creative writing, focused on poetry. The grants provide time for writing, research, travel and career development.

“The Ohio Arts Council is always proud to see federal funds come back home to be invested here to benefit Ohio’s residents and visitors,” said Donna S. Collins, OAC’s executive director. “Funding from the National Endowment from the Arts is a powerful recognition of the quality of Ohio’s artists, nonprofits, and arts and cultural offerings. We congratulate this round of grantees.”

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra was the only Northern Kentucky organization to make the list.

Grant award winners

Cincinnati 

• Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati: $15,000 (Grants for Arts Projects – Theater)
  Purpose: To support the touring production of A Pirate-y Peter Pan by Isaiah Reaves, as part of the TCT on Tour program.
  
• Cincinnati Opera Association: $25,000 (Grants for Arts Projects – Opera)
  Purpose: To support artist fees for the premiere of “Lalovavi” by composer Kevin Day, librettist Tifara Brown, and stage director and dramaturg Kimille Howard.
  
• Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park: $40,000 (Grants for Arts Projects – Theater)
  Purpose: To support artistic fees for a production of “Talk” by Theresa Rebeck. 
• 
  Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra: $30,000 (Grants for Arts Projects – Music)
  Purpose: To support Classical Roots, a concert in celebration of Black musical heritage.

Oxford 

• Miami University: $20,000 (Grants for Arts Projects – Visual Arts)
  Purpose: To support a web-based application providing people living with dementia creative and social engagement with art.

Newport (Kentucky)

• Northern Kentucky Symphony Inc.: $10,000 (Challenge America)
  Purpose: To support an outdoor orchestra concert series.