MISSION
We enrich our communities, citizens, and culture through constant advocacy and relentless support of Ohio creatives and the creative economy.
CreativeOhio is the leading statewide advocacy organization for creatives and the creative economy – empowering, energizing, and establishing creativity as a core economic driver benefiting all Ohioans.
Our members, as “a power beyond one,” are all connected, forming a continuum of creativity, consensus, and collaboration that sustains our communities. We are dedicated to supporting and sharing the economic, educational, and emotional value of CreativeOhio members.
VISION
Our vision is to live in an embracing world of open minds, open hearts, and open arms.
VALUES
Integrity
Uncompromising character. Ethics and honor. Openness and transparency. Our worth as an organization is only as valuable as the integrity of each of our members.
Collaboration
We understand the deep value of collaboration. We may be seeking answers to different questions — or we may find different answers to the same question — but we are connected by a shared sense of passion and a respect for a multiplicity of perspectives. We are respectful of one another as we explore our questions, and our answers, together, reaching consensus though a concert of collaboration.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We celebrate all people and viewpoints and support a culture of inclusion, artistic expression, and equal access. This is the philosophy from which our values are built.
Persistence
We represent Ohio artistry. We understand what fuels creatives’ expressions — tenacity and the courage to be an original. And along this creative journey, persistence is the artist’s true companion. As an organization, we use this same determination and diligence to champion and advance the creative causes of Ohio.
Accountability
We view accountability as a commitment, regardless of the outcome. As an organization, we understand that accountability yields trust. And at every touchpoint, we are equally accountable to our members, our constituents, and our community at large.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO
Sarah Sisser brings ten-plus years of experience as a nonprofit administrator, community planner, and advocate for funding of public humanities and cultural institutions at the local, state, and federal levels.
Sisser’s leadership experiences also include serving on the board of Ohio Humanities (the state-based partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities) which she chairs.
In addition to Ohio Humanities, Sisser’s community leadership has included serving on the Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction, & Mental Health Services, the Findlay-Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and serving as President of the Findlay Rotary Club.
Personal and organizational recognition for Sisser’s work and accomplishments include the Scenic Ohio Award, Ohio Museums Association Emerging Professional of the Year, Greater Toledo 20 Under 40 Award, Ohio State Historic Preservation Office’s Public Education and Awareness Award, and the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Hospitality Award.
Sisser earned a bachelor’s degree of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation at the Savannah College of Art & Design, and a Master of Community Planning degree from the College of Architecture, Design and Construction at Auburn University.
Strategic plan
Our strategic plan identifies opportunities and strategies that will allow us to secure, enhance, and leverage CO’s core strengths and attributes to enrich our communities, citizens, and culture through constant advocacy and relentless support of Ohio creatives and the creative economy.
HISTORY
CreativeOhio leads statewide advocacy for creatives and the creative economy
Inception
CreativeOhio (CO) was established in 1976 as Ohio Citizens for the Arts, a 501(c)4. Its purpose was to increase public funding for the arts through citizen-based lobbying in the state biennial budget process, a six month, every other year legislative cycle.
While that focus continues today, the effort has necessarily grown in scope and impact. The untapped potential of Ohio’s creative sector coupled with the critical needs of the recent pandemic catalyzed an evolution in the mission and reach of the organization’s work, extending to every day, all year advocacy.
Since 2020, CO has raised a historic, unprecedented $110 million for the arts and creatives in Ohio and repositioned the arts and creative sector as an essential, contributing component of Ohio’s economy.
Evolution
The new name, announced in January 2023, acknowledges the broad impact of creative practice in—and beyond—the arts. This progression in name, and critically our mission, enables us to stay closely connected to our existing members and open to the possibility of new members and alliances that expand our opportunities to fuse arts, creativity, community, citizens, and the economy.
CreativeOhio, also captures the spirit of our work, “A Power Beyond One.” Working collectively and collaboratively—statewide and locally—we can secure the public policies and investment needed to advance creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship throughout Ohio, and in so doing build a strong, sustainable creative sector.
