The Arts Commission's 2025 Accelerator Grant program provides financial support for local artists to advance their creative projects and careers. This opportunity is open to individual artists and artist collectives across all mediums, particularly encouraging emerging artists and hobbyists. Artists with a current residence or creative studio within 30 miles of downtown Toledo, Ohio, are eligible to apply. Requested grant amounts should not exceed $1,500.

Applications are accepted in two cycles. Cycle 1 opens on March 31, 2025, with an application deadline of April 20, 2025. Cycle 2 opens on July 7, 2025, with a deadline of July 27, 2025. Applications must be submitted online through the Good Grants platform by 11:59 PM EST on the respective closing dates. Final funding decisions are made by a Grant Panel consisting of Arts Commission board members and representatives from the arts community.

Eligible applicants include individual artists, artist collectives, and university or college-level adjunct teachers. Ineligible applicants include artists currently enrolled in degree or certificate-granting programs, full-time college or university faculty, employees or board members of The Arts Commission, and nonprofits. Artists are limited to one Accelerator Grant every two calendar years.

Funds may be used for materials and supplies, equipment, project support (such as paying collaborators), and professional development opportunities like memberships, workshops, or residencies. Expenses related to regular overhead, travel, and most technology (such as laptops) are ineligible. Artists have 90 days from the date of payment to use grant funds, with specific spending periods tied to each application cycle. Final reports are due within 30 days after the end of the spending period.

Contact Liz Bayan, Artist Subgranting Coordinator, at lbayan@theartscommission.org or 419-254-2787 Ext. 1018 for questions. Further information and final report instructions can be found at https://theartscommission.org/artists/accelerator-grants.