The Big Yellow School Bus program, managed by the Ohio Arts Council, supports student transportation costs for educational field trips to professional arts and cultural activities within Ohio. The program provides funding to help schools and educational groups expose students to enriching arts experiences, including visits to art galleries, museums, festivals, and live performances. These field trips aim to enhance in-school arts education and foster connections between Ohio’s youth and the state’s creative sector.

Applicants may request up to $500 per field trip, and no match is required. Eligible applicants include public, private, charter, or parochial schools serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12, as well as associations of home-schooled students. Multiple applications from a single school or district are permitted within a fiscal year, with priority given to new applicants and schools from underrepresented areas of Ohio. Grant funds must be used exclusively for travel-related expenses, such as buses or vans, licensed drivers, fuel, parking, and accessibility costs. Funds cannot be used for admission fees, student showcases, or non-arts-related activities.

Applications must be submitted at least eight weeks before the planned trip. Each application must include documentation verifying actual transportation costs, such as purchase orders, contracts, or letters from school officials. Applicants are responsible for arranging transportation and coordinating details with the destination venue. Payment of the grant award occurs after the submission and approval of a final report documenting the trip.

Applications are evaluated by Ohio Arts Council staff based on the clarity of the trip’s purpose, alignment with educational standards, and support from school staff and administrators. The review process ensures that funded trips provide meaningful arts learning opportunities for students.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, provided they are submitted at least eight weeks before the trip. Grant awards are announced four to five weeks prior to the scheduled travel date, and grant agreements must be signed at least two weeks before the trip. Final reports are due within 30 days after the event. Failure to submit required documentation by these deadlines may result in grant cancellation and a five-year ineligibility for other Ohio Arts Council funding.

The Big Yellow School Bus program offers a valuable opportunity for schools to expand access to the arts and enhance students’ educational experiences. Further details, guidelines, and assistance are available through the Ohio Arts Council and its Arts Learning Coordinator.