CONNECTINGPOINT
ConnectingPoint is a series of monthly virtual networking events for CreativeOhio organizational members. These events are focused on convening Executive Directors, CEOs, and Presidents and encourage the combination of multiple creative organizations’ input within a given art discipline, creating deeper knowledge, faster insights, and trusting camaraderie to more effectively and efficiently lead their organizations.
WHAT WE’ve Done
View some of CreativeOhio’s recent advocacy successes.
2025
$53.49M
Successfully lobbied for $53.49M for the Ohio Arts Council operating budget, an all-time high.
Launched the Advocacy Leadership Institute
A groundbreaking initiative designed to equip arts and culture leaders across Ohio with the tools and knowledge to advocate for the creative sector.
2024
Artsvoteohio
Partnered with the Greater Columbus Arts Council, ArtsVote Ohio empowers Ohio’s creative sector to engage in democracy. In 2024 alone, the initiative reached 22 cities, engaged 54 artists, hosted 8 voter registration events, and generated 4.6 million audience impressions, all through nonpartisan, artist-led advocacy.
2023
$50.7M
Successfully lobbied for $50.7M for the Ohio Arts Council operating budget, an historic measure.
$50.7M
Advanced the understanding that the arts and creatives are vital for economic development and continue to open doors for future public-private partnerships in creative workforce development.
2022
Reframed the conversation from ‘the arts’ to ‘creative workforce,’ and positioned non-profit organizations as businesses and drivers of economic growth.
$50M
Obtained $50M in American Rescue Plan Act funding through Ohio’s Department of Development for hundreds of Ohio’s arts non-profit organizations, successfully shifting mindsets that ‘the arts’ are business.
2021
$40M
Successfully lobbied for $40M for the Ohio Arts Council operating budget, the largest in state history.
$50.7M
Successfully lobbied Ohio’s congressional delegation gaining support for the Federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, providing emergency funding to hundreds of Ohio’s live performance venues.
2020
Ohio Gig Workers
Successfully lobbied for unemployment benefits for Ohio gig and contract workers.
Creativee
Developed reopening guideline recommendations for the creative sector.
Federal funding
Built ConnectingPoint, a state-wide network of creative professionals, giving them a unified voice at local, state, and federal levels.
$20M
Secured $20M in CARES funding for non-profit arts organizations, the second highest in the country dedicated for the sector.
Creativeohio’s future
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.
