ArtsWave's Community Investment Strategy

ArtsWave provides over $10+ million in grant funding each year to arts organizations in the Cincinnati region. The grants are awarded based on how they advance ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action in the Arts. Before applying, be sure to familiarize yourself with ArtsWave's Blueprint.

Grant Programs and Funding Opportunities

To receive email notifications when grant programs open for funding, sign up for ArtsWave's Grants & Resources email list.

ArtsWave's Grantee Portal

FY2025 Grant Programs

ArtsWave Fiscal year is September 1 to August 31.

The purpose of the Catalyzing Impact Grant Program is to encourage a breadth of programming through arts and cultural heritage projects that support the goals of ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action. Grant awards will be made up to $10,000 or 50% of the total expenses for the proposed project, and have a 1:1 match requirement.

This grant opportunity is open to any organization proposing an eligible program. Organizations may only submit one application per deadline, and organizations may only receive one Catalyzing Impact Grant in a single fiscal year, and after two years of award funding, applicants must take at least one year off.

The FY2025 Catalyzing Impact Grant opened on December 16, 2024 and applications will be due by January 15, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Note: Applicants must take at least one year off from applying after receiving funding for two consecutive Catalyzing Impact Grants beginning with our FY2023 grant cycle. If funding is received in both FY2023 and FY2024, the applicant would be ineligible in FY2025.

Funded by City of Cincinnati and other partners

ArtsWave’s Black and Brown Artists program will provide financial support for Black and Brown artists in the Greater Cincinnati Region to continue to explore the themes of our times. Projects should use the arts to explore the theme of Truth and Innovation to build upon the current artistic commentary of health and race and to connect it with historical events and visions of a more equitable future. All projects must propose a Showcase element for July 2025. 

The FY2025 Black and Brown Artist Grant for Individual Artists application is now closed. 

We anticipate opening our FY2026 Black and Brown Artist Grant for Individual Artists in Fall 2025 pending funding.

Note: Applicants must take off at least one year after receiving funding for two consecutive Black and Brown Artist Grants, beginning with our FY2022 grant cycle. If an applicant received funding in FY2023 and FY2024, they would not be eligible for this grant cycle.

The purpose of the ArtsWave Pride Grant Program is to promote, celebrate, and create inclusive arts experiences that may appeal to or have relevance to the broader LGBTQIA community. ArtWave Pride grants will provide funding for arts or cultural heritage projects that advance Cincinnati’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive community through the arts.

The FY2025 ArtsWave Pride Grant is now closed.
Final reports for those projects funded will be due by August 31, 2025.

We anticipate opening our FY2026 Pride Grant in August, 2025 pending funding. 

Note: Applicants must take at least one year off from applying after receiving funding for two consecutive Pride Grants beginning with our FY2023 grant cycle.

The Circle's African American Arts grants program will strengthen the capacity for arts presenting, producing, programming and instruction at organizations led by or predominantly serving Black Cincinnatians. The program is one way that ArtsWave is working to increase the sustainability of organizations that focus on the preservation and advancement of Black arts and culture. Eligible organizations have a mission related to the African American experience and a majority (51%+) of annual expenditures dedicated to arts and cultural activities.

Additional information about the Circle's African American Arts Grant is forthcoming.

For questions, please contact impact@artswave.org.

ArtsWave YP grants provide both seed funding to support the development of new programming, as well as existing programming with demonstrated impact in engaging young professionals. Grants are made possible by the donations of young professionals to the 2023 ArtsWave Community Campaign.

The FY2025 Young Professional Grant is now closed.
Final reports for those projects funded will be due by August 31, 2025.

We anticipate opening our FY2026 Young Professionals Grant in August, 2025, pending funding.

ArtsWave offers interest-free loans up to $10,000 for demonstrated short-term cash flow needs for eligible arts or cultural heritage organizations. There is no deadline to apply.

The purpose of ArtsWave’s general operating grant program is to provide general operating support to arts and cultural heritage organizations whose programming supports the goals of ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action to ensure their ongoing capacity to drive community impact.

The current application process is in progress. The next opportunity for Sustaining Impact applications will be before the 2027-2030 Cycle.