Arts and humanities groups urge increased operating and historical grant funding

Sarah Sisser, executive director of Creative Ohio, and Rebecca Brown Asmo, executive director of Ohio Humanities, asked the committee to increase state support for arts and humanities programs that they said drive economic activity, tourism and civic engagement across Ohio.

Sisser said the creative sector contributes tens of billions to Ohio's economy and warned that a flat budget for the Ohio Arts Council would amount to a cut if new organizations become eligible for sustainability grants; she requested an increase of roughly $4.25 million per fiscal year to maintain support for existing grantees and accommodate new applicants.

Brown Asmo urged a $2 million per fiscal year appropriation to a state historical grant line to make flexible, less‑restricted funds available to smaller museums, local history organizations and rural groups that lack philanthropic infrastructure; she said Ohio ranks low in per‑capita public humanities funding and that federal funds alone are insufficient for many communities.

Committee members asked about coordination with America250 and capital needs for cultural facilities, and witnesses described historic preservation tax credits and public‑private partnerships as part of broader strategies to shore up nonprofit cultural infrastructure. No committee action occurred in the hearing; members requested follow‑up materials and economic studies mentioned in testimony.