Ohio Arts Council


The Ohio Arts Council is an agency serving the U.S. state of Ohio.

History

Established in 1965, its mission is to "foster and encourage the development of the arts and assist the preservation of Ohio's cultural heritage." Each year it awards grants to arts organizations and individuals throughout the state. Its headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.
Since 2003, it has awarded the Ohio Heritage Award each year, an award modeled on the National Endowment for the Arts's National Heritage Fellowship.

Programs and Operations

The was created in response to the needs of everyday Ohioans. Informed by focus groups, one-on-one interviews, site visits to organizations and communities, and a statewide survey of all 88 counties—the State Arts Plan serves as the foundation for the agency's future.
Four actions areas: INVEST, ENGAGE, INNOVATE and LEAD underpin the plan, guiding program prioritization and resource deployment.
The Council operates the Riffe Gallery in the lobby of the Vern Riffe Center for Government & the Arts at 77 S. High Street, near the Ohio Statehouse.