COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) has opened a new grant program designed to provide supplemental support for artists and nonprofit organizations creating murals in the city of Columbus.
“Over recent years we’ve seen a growing appreciation for murals and the value they add to Columbus neighborhoods,” said Grants and Community Engagement Director McKenzi Swinehart. “Murals created by local artists offer a platform for expression while beautifying neighborhoods, communicating important messages and creating new points of interest for residents and visitors alike to discover. We’re excited for this program to help both artists and nonprofits commission and complete more works around the city.”
Mural Assistance for Artists
The grants for artists are designed to provide partial funding for the creation of exterior murals where a specific wall is identified, there is a written contract between artist(s) and the commissioning organization, and additional funding has been pledged or secured.
To be eligible, artists must be:
- Working artists aged 18 and older
- Living in Franklin County for at a least one year prior to application
- Not enrolled as degree-seeking undergraduate students
Awarded artists will receive $2,500 for artist fees or materials/supplies.
Mural Assistance for Organizations
Grants for organizations are open to any registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in the city of Columbus. The organizations do not have to be arts-focused. This funding can be used for the creation of exterior murals by local artists where a specific wall is identified, maintenance is planned and there is a written contract between artist(s) and the commissioning organization.
To qualify for this grant program, all of the following criteria must be met:
- The mural location must be within the city of Columbus on an exterior structure that is visible to the general public.
- The mural is to be created as art for art’s sake rather than organizational marketing. The mural cannot incorporate the nonprofit’s name, logo or brand.
- Organizations must have a plan for the selection, hiring and payment of artist(s) and a timeline to complete the mural within 12 months of the award date.
- The commissioning organization must be investing funding, resources and/or staff support to the project.
Awards for organizations will range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the size of the mural and artist fees.
Full guidelines for the Mural Assistance grants are posted at gcac.org/grants-services/guidelines.
Applications for both programs open on Feb. 7 at gcac.smartsimple.com and will close at 5 p.m. on March 15. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of community members and national representatives.
Questions about the Mural Assistance program can be directed to McKenzi Swinehart, grants and community engagement director, at mswinehart@gcac.org or (614) 221-8746.
Mission of the Greater Columbus Arts Council: To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org
The Greater Columbus Arts Council receives major financial support from the City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners and the Ohio Arts Council.
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
jgoldstein@gcac.org
