$2.4 million helps to sustain organizations still struggling from effects of pandemic
Columbus, OH (April 27, 2021) — As arts organizations continue to reel from the effects of COVID-19, The Columbus Foundation has announced its largest investment ever in the central Ohio arts sector to help preserve the community’s arts infrastructure.
More than $2.4 million will provide 65 organizations with the full level of operational support they received in 2020, plus 50 percent of that amount. The funding also provides eight additional organizations with one-time grants. The investment represents a 56 percent increase in arts funding over 2020.
“We wanted to be responsive to COVID and recognize the uniquely harmful effects it has had on the arts and culture sector,” said Dr. Mark Lomax, II, Community Research and Grants Management Officer. “While other industries have bounced back from the challenges presented by the pandemic, those that rely on ticket sales and membership dues have not yet had the opportunity to begin recovering,” said Lomax.
As in 2020, the Foundation will pay the grants in full as soon as May, rather than in installments later in the year, as had been done prior to the pandemic. By providing the grant dollars earlier and in one payment, organizations have greater flexibility to direct funds as they are needed.
“One of the hallmarks of a strong community is a thriving arts sector. Columbus is fortunate to have world-class arts organizations that enrich our city and its culture. Safeguarding those institutions during times of peril is an investment in our community’s well-being.”
DOUGLAS F. KRIDLER, PRESIDENT AND CEO
ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING 2021 ARTS GRANTS:
- Actors’ Theatre of Columbus
- All People Arts
- Available Light Theatre, Inc.
- BalletMet
- Brass Band of Columbus
- Capriccio Columbus
- Carpe Diem String Quartet
- CATCO-Phoenix, Inc.
- Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
- Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society
- Chamber Music Columbus
- The Chamber Music Connection, Inc.
- Columbus and Central Ohio Children's Chorus Foundation
- Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA)
- Columbus Black International Film Festival
- Columbus Children’s Theatre
- Columbus Folk Music Society, Inc.
- Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus
- Columbus Museum of Art
- Columbus Printed Arts Center
- Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Inc.
- Columbus Women's Chorus
- Eclipse Theatre Company
- Evolution Theatre Company
- Franklin Park Conservatory
- Fresh A.I.R. Gallery
- Friends of Art for Community Enrichment
- Friends of Early Music Inc.
- Fuse Factory Electronic and Digital Arts Lab Inc.
- Gateway Film Center
- Glass Axis
- Good Medicine Productions
- The Greater Columbus Community Orchestra
- Harmony Project Productions, Inc.
- Hixon Dance
- Jazz Arts Group
- Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts Corporation
- King Arts Complex
- Lincoln Theatre Association
- MadLab
- Maroon Arts Group
- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- New Albany Symphony Orchestra
- Ohio Designer Craftsmen
- Ohio History Connection
- Ohio Paper Folders
- Ohio Poetry Association, Inc.
- OhioDance
- Opera Columbus
- Opera Project Columbus, Inc.
- Peggy R. McConnell Worthington Center for the Arts
- Phoenix Rising Printmaking Cooperative
- ProMusica Chamber Orchestra
- Red Herring Productions
- ROY G BIV Gallery for Emerging Artists
- Shadowbox Live
- Short North Stage
- Side Hustle Syndicate Inc.
- Six String Concerts, Inc.
- Streetlight Guild
- Sunday at Central A Recital Series
- Thiossane Institute
- Thurber House, Inc.
- Urban Strings Columbus
- VIVO Music Festival
- We Amplify Voices
- Westerville Community Concert Band
- Westerville Symphony at Otterbein University
- Wexner Center for the Arts
- Wild Goose Creative, Inc.
- The Women's Music Club
- Worthington Chorus
- Xclaim
About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation serves nearly 3,000 individuals, families, and businesses that have created unique funds and planned gifts to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. The Columbus Foundation is Your Trusted Philanthropic Advisor® and is among the top ten largest community foundations in the United States.