Young Professional Grants

ArtsWave's Young Professionals Grant Program supports innovative arts initiatives in the Cincinnati region. Since 1927, ArtsWave has empowered local organizations through funding, fostering creativity and cultural engagement. The grants, fueled by contributions from young professionals, aim to enhance community connections and stimulate the economy by backing projects that resonate with young audiences. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)3 designated and focus on arts and cultural activities within the Cincinnati-Middletown area.

ArtsWave
ArtsWave is the engine for the Cincinnati region’s arts.
Young Professionals Grant Program
ArtsWave YP grants provide both seed funding to support the development of new programming, as well as existing programming with demonstrated impact in engaging young professionals. Grants are made possible by the donations of young professionals to the 2025 ArtsWave Community Campaign.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the FY2026 Young Professionals Grant, an organization must meet the following requirements:
Have a 501(c)3 designation, be non-profit in nature, or have a non-profit fiscal agent (for-profit businesses are ineligible for grant funding);Have a majority (51%+) of the organization’s annual expenditures dedicated to arts and cultural activities.Have a primary mission to provide programs or activities in areas directly concerned with arts or cultural heritage for the public.Be based in the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN MSA, which includes the following counties: Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio; Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, and Pendleton Counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn, Franklin, and Ohio Counties in Indiana.Have successfully completed all previous grant requirements, including outstanding final reports for all previous grants and sponsorships.Have not received funding through another ArtsWave project grant for the proposed project.**