TeachArtsOhio Grant

The Ohio Arts Council (OAC) administers the TeachArtsOhio (TAO) grant program, an initiative designed to bring high-quality arts learning experiences to pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students across Ohio. The OAC, a state agency, fosters and funds arts programming to support education and community development. The TAO program creates opportunities for Ohio schools to partner with experienced teaching artists who deliver customized artist residencies, varying in length from short-term exposures of 10 days to full academic year immersions. Residencies aim to provide transformative arts experiences, foster cultural exchange, and develop creative learning methods for students. The TAO program covers 100 percent of teaching artist fees through OAC funding, relieving financial burdens from school budgets. While a cash match is not required, schools must provide in-kind contributions such as materials, supplies, and staff time. Residencies must be collaboratively planned among artists, teachers, and administrators to enhance the learning environment and build sustainable arts education practices. Schools may apply for one TAO grant per year and must clearly differentiate between applications if multiple schools from the same district apply with the same artist. Residency types include a Grading Period (10-40 days), Full Semester (30-60 days), or Academic Year (50-120 days), with customizable scheduling to fit specific educational needs. Eligible applicants include Ohio's public, private, charter, and parochial schools serving PK-12 students, excluding organizations primarily offering childcare. Applications must include an identified teaching artist, confirmed for participation, with a biography outlining their artistic and educational experience. Teaching artists must comply with Ohio’s criminal background check requirements. Planning must involve a formal meeting before residency commencement to outline impact goals, assessment methods, and roles of all parties. Residencies must also include at least one professional development workshop for staff. Applications must be submitted through OAC’s ARTIE system, with optional pre-submission feedback available. A panel of professionals evaluates applications based on Program Quality, Community Engagement, Defining and Measuring Success, and Resource Management, each scored out of five points for a total of 60 points. Panel discussions are public, and final awards are approved by the OAC Board. Awardees risk grant cancellation if agreements or final reports are not submitted on time. The FY 2026 cycle opens in November 2024, with applications due by March 1, 2025, and award announcements in July 2025. The FY 2027 cycle follows a similar schedule. Contact for the program is Jodi Kushins, Arts Learning Coordinator, reachable via email or at 614-728-4481 for support throughout the application process.