Recipients of The Arts Commissionʼs 2025 Accelerator Grant Program, Cycle 2, Announced

The Arts Commission is pleased to announce the second 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.

This yearʼs Accelerator Grant program distributed $25,000 in awards to 27 local artists. 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.

Recent graduate Ana King received funding to showcase a new body of work, “Receiving this grant allows me to complete the work for my first ever solo exhibition in a gallery! I received my BFA in May 2024 from the University of Toledo and have worked tirelessly to get an opportunity to show my work at this level. Thanks to The Arts Commission, I am eager to share my work at the Toledo School for the Arts Porter Gallery in November 2025.ˮ

Cycle 2 received 40 eligible applications which were reviewed by a panel of local artists, arts professionals, and board members who then made funding recommendations.

Nate Hicks shared his reaction to receiving a grant, stating “Iʼm extremely grateful for this grant. To me, itʼs a form of accountability. If others are willing to invest in me and my visions, who am I to let my gifts lay dormant? Action is necessary for forward motion and this support is a form of solid ground beneath my feet or air beneath my wings to just keep moving.ˮ

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.

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.

The next funding opportunity is the Merit Award, which celebrates outstanding work made in the last five years by local established artists in the literary, performing, or visual arts. Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $4,000.

Applications will be accepted September 22 - October 19, 2025. For more information visit. https://theartscommission.org/artists/merit-awards.

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 Toledoʼs 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.