Recipients of The Arts Commission’s 2025 Accelerator Grant Program, Cycle 1, Announced

Eye On Art | 06/25/2025 1:00 pm

The Arts Commission is pleased to announce the first round of Accelerator Grant program recipients for 2025. The Arts Commission values the many artists across disciplines who are part of Toledo's vibrant creative community and aims to support the advancement of the community through artist granting programs.

The Accelerator Grant is a competitive micro-grant program intended to address immediate needs that advance the creative projects and careers of Toledo area artists. Over 20 artists were awarded an Accelerator Grant in 2024.

Cycle 1 received 42 eligible applications which were reviewed by a panel of local artists, arts professionals, and board members who then made funding recommendations. Cycle 1 Grant Recipients are:

Khrystyne Dewey, visual artist
Emerson DeAngelo, ceramic artist
Deb Davis, visual artist
Nikki D. Brown, musician
Camille McCaskey, visual artist
Au’Ree Antoinette, photographer
Davion Williams (Zombea Kujichagulia), musician
Sarah Cohen (The Antivillains), musician
Kathleen Pahl, visual artist
Alyssa Radtke, glass artist
Ann Filipiak, visual artist
Julia LaBay, visual artist
Anthony Turner (Chiefalone), musician
Ryan Bunch, poet and visual artist

Glass artist and recent grant recipient Alyssa Radtke reflects on the honor, saying, “Receiving this grant means the world to me. It’s not just support for a project but it's recognition of the years I've spent exploring the medium of glass. This opportunity gives me the freedom to take creative risks, to tell a story that’s deeply personal, and to create a piece of art that I would not have been able to make without these funds. I’m so grateful to be part of a community that believes in the power of art and its ability to express identity and imagination.”

Eligible categories of support include: equipment, supplies, professional development, and project support. Grant amounts are not to exceed $1,500. Individual artists and artist collectives with a residence or a creative studio within 30 miles of downtown Toledo may be eligible.

Visual artist and Cycle 1 Accelerator recipient Ann Filipiak shared her thoughts on receiving the award, saying, “Receiving this grant from The Arts Commission is truly meaningful to me. The Arts play a vital role in supporting Toledo and fostering positive progress within our community, and I feel honored to be a part of it.”

Cycle 2 is the final Accelerator round for 2025 and opens July 7. Applications must be submitted by the 11:59pm deadline on July 27.

Applicants are encouraged to apply to all cycles until they receive a grant award.

Grant guidelines and the application link can be found on The Arts Commission’s website.

Review the guidelines of the Accelerator Grant Program and find information on past recipients by visiting https://theartscommission.org/artists/accelerator-grants

The Arts Commission Accelerator Grants are made possible through support from the Ohio Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and other generous supporters.

About The Arts Commission
The Arts Commission is the longest-standing arts commission in the state of Ohio, founded in 1959, administering the City of Toledo’s One Percent for Art Program since 1977. The Arts Commission is supported in part by the Ohio Arts Council and by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.