Artists with Disabilities Access Program Grant

Artists with Disabilities Access Program Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Ohio Arts Council
Amount: US $500 - US $2,500
Last Updated: February 19, 2026

Summary

Overview

Note: 1) The annual May 1 deadline above is for up to 12 months of activities taking place from July 1 to the following June 30. 2) The annual November 1 deadline is for up to six months of activities taking place January 1 - June 30. Mission The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. The Ohio Arts Council was created in 1965 to foster and encourage the development of the arts and assist the preservation of Ohio's cultural heritage. With funds from the Ohio Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, the OAC provides financial assistance to artists and arts organizations. The Council accomplishes this charge in two primary methods; first, through the various grant funding programs that the Council operates to provide support to artists and to make arts activities available to a broad segment of Ohio's public; and secondly, by providing services that help to enhance the growth of the arts. Artists with Disabilities Access Program Professional Development Support for Artists with Disabilities The Artists with Disabilities Access Program (ADAP) provides funding that gives individual artists with disabilities the resources they need to further their artistic development. Creative expression by artists of all abilities is essential to building dynamic and diverse communities throughout Ohio. ADAP awards help artists with disabilities advance their artistic practices, making Ohio a more accessible and inclusive place to build an artistic career. Grant Awards Grants are awarded to individual artists at both the emerging artist level and professional artist level, with no cash match required. Applicants may receive only one ADAP award per year. Artists with Disabilities Access Program grantees generally receive their full request. Note: For the purposes of the ADAP program, emerging artists are individuals who have consistently worked in their chosen art form for more than three years, have demonstrated strong artistic potential, and want to develop their careers. Professional artists are individuals who devote a major portion of their time to creating, practicing, performing, or teaching their chosen artform and receive some type of monetary support from this endeavor. How the Program Works The Artists with Disabilities Access Program provides support to individual artists with disabilities to: introduce their work to new audiences and to raise their artistic profile, through exhibitions, performances, publications, or screenings. develop a new artistic skill through participation in activities such as conferences, artist residencies, workshops, fellowships, master classes, or apprenticeships. advance their career through activities like production of marketing materials, website development, equipment purchases (not to exceed $1,500), materials, services, or rental fees for equipment or facilities.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Be at least 18 years of age.Applicants must have lived in Ohio for one year prior to the deadline and must remain a resident of the state throughout the grant period. Have exhibited, performed, or published work as an artist within the past three years. Have a disability (the OAC uses the definition of disability contained in Sec. 12102 of the ADA, as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-325), which went into effect on January 1, 2009). Both creative and performing artists who have a disability may apply to this program.

Ineligibility

Be a student attending high school or pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at the time of application. Apply for both an Artists with Disabilities Access Program grant and an Artist Opportunities grant in the same fiscal year.  Apply to support day-to-day expenses of an arts-related for-profit business (i.e., awards must be used for expenses related to an artist’s growth and development). Apply to support the duplication of previous work or experiences (i.e., projects must focus on a new professional endeavor; duplication of previous work or experiences will be deemed ineligible). Apply to travel to an out-of-state exhibition or performance.  NOTE: Artists who have received an Individual Excellence Award (in any discipline; beginning FY 2026) are ineligible to apply for an Artist with Disabilities Access Program award for five years.