Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts council based in Columbus, Ohio. Established in 1973 and tax-exempt since October 1974, the organization serves as a catalyst for excellence and innovation in the region's arts and cultural sector. Through vision, leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, GCAC supports exemplary artists and arts organizations while providing programs, events, and services that educate and engage audiences throughout the community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.5M
-5.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$21.6M
+40.2% YoY
Grant Count
142
+42.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$152K
-1.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To champion and elevate the arts and cultural expression of Greater Columbus.
Vision: Power of art realized. People engaged. City energized.
GCAC's primary focus areas include:
Grants & Community Engagement: Supporting nonprofit arts organizations and professional artists providing arts and cultural programming in Columbus, including visual and performing arts exhibits, concerts, and programs. Funding sources include Franklin County and the City of Columbus hotel/motel excise tax and admissions tax (from venues other than Nationwide Arena).
Artist Support: Providing funding through artist grants, artist project grants, fellowships, mural assistance, artist awards, artist residences and exchanges, artist workshops, navigator outreach, and street performer programs.
Cultural Programming: Supporting arts exhibits, concerts, cultural festivals, and community arts initiatives such as the Columbus Local Organizing Committee.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The organization has prioritized DEI initiatives throughout all organizational pillars and departments, with published DEI and Racial Equity statements on its website.
Grantmaking
GCAC administers multiple grant programs with varying award sizes:
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
GCAC primarily funds arts and cultural programming in Columbus, Ohio and the greater Columbus region. The organization's grantmaking focuses on Education, Human Services, and Arts, Culture & Humanities, with primary service areas in Ohio and secondary activity in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $17,454,116
- Total Revenue: $28,559,129
- Total Expenses: $31,467,823
- Total Liabilities: $6,860,000
Staffing: 15-22 employees (figures vary by source and year)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,454,116 | $18,391,476 | $15,007,832 |
| Revenue | $28,559,129 | $26,015,610 | $20,808,950 |
| Expenses | $31,467,823 | $24,945,573 | $16,461,783 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $561,118 | $341,355 | $87,949 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Greater Columbus Arts Council
Aminah Robinson Fellowship Grant
GREATER COLUMBUS ARTS COUNCIL
Amount
US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Aminah Robinson Writer/Scholar/Researcher Residency Grant
GREATER COLUMBUS ARTS COUNCIL
Amount
US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Artist Projects Grants
GREATER COLUMBUS ARTS COUNCIL
Amount
Up to US $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Tom Katzenmeyer: President & CEO
- Kayla Green: Chief Financial Officer
- Alexis Perrone: Columbus Arts Festival Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTIE ANGEL | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JIM NEGRON | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DAVID TEED | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| STEFAN THOMAS | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| LOURDES BARROSO DE PADILLA | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RAJ BELLANI | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHERYL BROOKS-SULLIVAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MIKE BUKACH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARK CAIN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROBIN DAVIS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ALEX FROMMEYER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CURRECIA GAMBLE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LEA GOLDSMITH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| IAN LABITUE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANDREW LIPPA | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CELESTE MALVAR-STEWART | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| EMMANUEL REMY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KARLA ROTHAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW SATTERWHITE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KRYSTOPHER SCOTT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JON SHERMAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARSHALL SHORTS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JAYME STALEY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JULIE TAGGART | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TARIQ TAREY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| YOHANNAN TERRELL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| AMY TILLINGHAST | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SARAH TOWNES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CINDY WEBSTER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| THOMAS KATZENMEYER | PRESIDENT | 40 | $530,355 |
| KAYLA GREEN | CFO | 40 | $153,509 |
| JAMI GOLDSTEIN | VP OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $145,854 |
| ALISON BARRET | VP OF GRANTS & SERVICES | 40 | $131,872 |
| JOHN DAUGHERTY | FILM COLUMBUS DIRECTOR | 40 | $116,405 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
GCAC has announced multiple grant awards in 2025:
Greater Columbus Arts Council Awards $560,000 in Capacity Building Grants**Capital Expense Grants:** Awarded $349,999 in 2025 capital expense grants to support arts organizations' facility and equipment needs.
**Capacity Building Grants:** Distributed $560,000 in capacity building grants to strengthen organizational infrastructure.
Greater Columbus Arts Council Awards $560,000 in Capacity Building Grants**Artist Projects Community-Reviewed Grants:** Announced $532,246 in first-round awards for 2025, representing a community-reviewed grant program.
Greater Columbus Arts Council Awards $560,000 in Capacity Building Grants**Funds for Artists:** Awarded $371,067 in grants for individual artists in June and July 2025.
The organization continues to expand its grantmaking portfolio and community engagement initiatives while maintaining its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion across all programming.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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