COLUMBUS, Ohio – The board of trustees of the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) approved 969 Funds for Artists grants totaling $1,142,384 for applications submitted between Feb. 1 through April 30, 2025. Funds for Artists grants are awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year; artists have through October to apply for awards. Of the 969 grants awarded so far in 2025, 427 awards are for first-time applicants to the program.

Funds for Artists grants are intended to assist individual artists and groups of artists creating together on a permanent basis in making new art, growing artistic skills, marketing to a broader audience and assisting with select legal expenses. For 2025, the award amounts were increased from $500 to $1,200.

“One of the most exciting developments in Funds for Artists this year has been the increase in the maximum grant amount—from $500 to $1,200,” says GCAC Grants & Community Engagement associate Ariel Peguero. “This boost has had a tremendous impact. We’ve seen a noticeable rise in applications, which tells us that more artists are feeling empowered to pursue funding for their work. The combination of a more accessible timeline and a more substantial grant has made the program even more valuable. It’s encouraging artists to think bigger, take creative risks and apply with confidence.”

To see the full list of grantees, visit GCAC’s searchable Past Grants page here: gcac.org/about/past-grants/?program_name=Artists:%20Individuals

After a brief pause in late spring, Funds for Artists applications re-opened on June 9 and will remain open through Oct. 31. Funds are available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that this program, like all GCAC grant programs, is dependent upon available funds received from the city of Columbus and Franklin County. For more information on Funds for Artists, or to apply for the program, visit here: gcac.org/grant/2025-funds-for-artists

For more information on grant funding, including guidelines and upcoming deadlines, go to gcac.org or contact the Grants & Community Engagement team at [email protected] or (614) 224-2606.

Mission of the Greater Columbus Arts Council:To champion and elevate the arts and cultural expression of Greater Columbus. www.gcac.org

The Greater Columbus Arts Council receives major financial support from the City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners, the Ohio Arts Council and The Ohio State University.

For translations of this release and other pages, please see the dropdown menu at the top right corner of gcac.org.

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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein

(614) 221-8492

[email protected]