Apply for Funding
ArtsWave provides over $10+ million in grant funding each year to arts organizations in the Cincinnati region.
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 2.0. Before applying, be sure to familiarize yourself with ArtsWave’s Blueprint.
Want info on future grant opportunities?
ArtsWave’s Grantee Portal
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If you’re looking for grant acceptance forms, grantee handbooks, and reporting forms, click here.
FY2027 Grant Programs and Funding Opportunities
ArtsWave believes that diversity in arts and cultural expression creates a more vibrant and dynamic region. ArtsWave also believes that only an inclusive collection of diverse organizations, artists, art forms and projects can fully deliver the goals of ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action to advance social impact in our community. In FY2027, ArtsWave’s Circle Grant Program requests proposals for projects that promote and/or celebrate Black and African American Arts experiences in the Cincinnati region.
The FY2027 Circle Grant application is now open!
Applications are due September 21st, 2026, 5:00pm.
This affinity group project grant is designed to provide seed funding to support the development of new programming or to enhance existing programs to engage this ever-expanding community in our region through connective and innovation engagement. Grants are made possible by donations to the 2026 ArtsWave Community Campaign specifically designated to engage these communities in the arts.
Note: Aapplicants must take at least one year off after receiving funding for two consecutive Circle Grants.
Optional Grant Writing Resources
Grant Overview Session
The overview workshop for the Grant Program Guidelines and application process has passed. If you missed it, you can watch the recording here.
Grant Writing Workshops
ArtsWave will also host two online Grant Writing Workshops. The first workshop will provide a comprehensive grant writing, financial documentation, and budget guide Thursday, August 20 from noon-1 p.m.
Access the zoom link here.
The second workshop will focus on goal setting and assessment on Thursday, September 10 from noon-1 p.m.
Please register here.
Early Submission Feedback
Applicants may submit a draft of their application by September 9 to receive feedback from ArtsWave staff. Complete the draft in submittable.com and click “SUBMIT.” Applicants must make edits and re-submit by the September 21 deadline.
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 Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grant in a single fiscal year, and after two years of award funding, applicants must take at least one year off.
The FY2026 Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grant is now closed.
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. This grant is made possible by donations to the 2025 ArtsWave Community Campaign and ArtsWave’s Women’s Leadership Roundtable, specifically designated to engage communities in the arts. The Women’s Leadership Roundtable isn’t just a giving circle, but a powerful movement of women coming together to create lasting impact in our community. Roundtable members power the Catalyzing Impact Grant, ArtsWave’s largest grants pool for project support.
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. Grant awards will be made up to $10,000 or 50% of the total expenses for the proposed project and will have a 1:1 match requirement.
The FY2026 Catalyzing Impact Grant application is now closed.
We anticipate opening our FY2027 Catalyzing Impact Grant in December 2026 pending funding.
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 FY2027 ArtsWave Pride Grant application is now open!
Applications are due September 21st, 2026, 5:00pm.
This affinity group project grant is designed to provide seed funding to support the development of new programming or to enhance existing programs to engage this ever-expanding community in our region through connective and innovation engagement. Grants are made possible by donations to the 2026 ArtsWave Community Campaign specifically designated to engage these communities in the arts.
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.
Optional Grant Writing Resources
Grant Overview Session
The overview workshop for the Grant Program Guidelines and application process has passed. If you missed it, you can watch the recording here.
Grant Writing Workshops
ArtsWave will also host two online Grant Writing Workshops. The first workshop will provide a comprehensive grant writing, financial documentation, and budget guide on Thursday, August 20 from noon-1 p.m.
Access the zoom link here.
The second workshop will focus on goal setting and assessment on Thursday, September 10 from noon-1 p.m.
Please register here.
Early Submission Feedback
Applicants may submit a draft of their application by September 9 to receive feedback from ArtsWave staff. Complete the draft in submittable.com and click “SUBMIT.” Applicants must make edits and re-submit by the September 21 deadline.
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 2026 ArtsWave Community Campaign.
The FY2027 Young Professional Grant application is now open!
Applications are due September 21st, 2026, 5:00pm.
This affinity group project grant is designed to provide seed funding to support the development of new programming or to enhance existing programs to engage this ever-expanding community in our region through connective and innovation engagement. Grants are made possible by donations to the 2026 ArtsWave Community Campaign specifically designated to engage these communities in the arts.
Optional Grant Writing Resources
Grant Overview Session
The overview workshop for the Grant Program Guidelines and application process has passed. If you missed it, you can watch the recording here.
Grant Writing Workshops
ArtsWave will also host two online Grant Writing Workshops. The first workshop will provide a comprehensive grant writing, financial documentation, and budget guide on Thursday, August 20 from noon-1 p.m.
Access the zoom link here.
The second workshop will focus on goal setting and assessment on Thursday, September 10 from noon-1 p.m.
Please register here.
Early Submission Feedback
Applicants may submit a draft of their application by September 9 to receive feedback from ArtsWave staff. Complete the draft in submittable.com and click “SUBMIT.” Applicants must make edits and re-submit by the September 21 deadline.
Funded by City of Cincinnati and other partners
ArtsWave’s Inspire Grant for individual artists will provide resources for the creation of inspiring artwork and career development for under-represented artists in the Greater Cincinnati Region. Proposed artwork should authentically reflect the lived Black and Brown experience. Artists must present a project idea that can be highlighted at Showcase in July 2026 and participate in artist cohort activities throughout the development of their project.
The FY2026 Inspire Artist Grant application is now closed.
We anticipate opening our FY2027 Inspire Artist Grant in September 2026 pending funding.
Note: Starting in the FY26 grant cycle, an artist may receive funding for two (2) consecutive years and then will be required to take one (1) year off before applying for another grant. For example, if you receive an Inspire Grant FY26 and 27, the next application cycle you would be eligible for would be the Inspire Grant FY2028.
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.
ArtsWave’s FY2027-2029 Cycle of Sustaining Impact General Operation Grants will be by invitation only.
The next cohort opportunity will tentatively open in the fall of 2029.
For questions, please contact Ray Gargano, VP, Community Investments at ray.gargano@artswave.org.
Grant Programs Timeline
We strive to offer the following grants, pending available funding:
Fall Programs
- Circle Project Grants (August/September)
- ArtsWave Pride Project Grants (August/September)
- Young Professionals Project Grants (August/September)
- Inspire Artist Grants (September/October)
Winter Programs
- Catalyzing Impact: Annual project grants for any nonprofit proposing an arts/cultural project (December/January)
- NKY Creative Placemaking Grant (March/April)
Sustaining Programs
- Sustaining Impact: General operating grants with most recent three-year cycle process beginning in Fall 2026 (invitation only)
For up-to-date information, please sign up for our Grants & Resources newsletter.
Interested in becoming an ArtsWave Grant Panelist?
Please click here to complete if you are interested in volunteering as an ArtsWave Grant Panelist. We will reach out to you for more information during our next grant cycle. Thank you.
