MOUNT VERNON — MTVarts, a Knox County nonprofit, is one of 104 arts-based organizations receiving economic relief grants. In total, organizations in 33 counties will receive more than $20 million in grants.

The Woodward Opera House was the only other organization in Knox County to receive funding.

Governor Mike DeWine announced the awards as the second round of the Ohio Arts Economic Relief Grant Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Development. In total, more than $43 million in grants have been announced for 243 arts organizations across the state.

These funds will support hiring the long-awaited full-time Education Coordinator, MTVarts’ first paid employee, enabling growth and expansion of educational and performance opportunities for central Ohio youth.

“Ohio artists and arts organizations make our state an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Governor DeWine. “Ohio is the heart of it all – and by supporting the arts, we continue to ensure artistic excellence.”

These grants will help pay for employee compensation, excluding bonuses; employee recruitment, rehiring, and training expenses; rent or mortgage payments; and operating costs.

“Ohio’s arts and culture are big business in the heart of the heartland,” said Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “By supporting these organizations, we’re supporting the business of art, which is essential for economic growth but also essential for creating vibrant and diverse communities.”

The grant program was created in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly as part of a bill sponsored by Sen. George Lang (R-West Chester) which was later merged into House Bill 45. The first round, announced in May, awarded more than $23 million to 139 organizations.

“Our Mount Vernon youth have always had the talent, skill and drive to stand next to any larger city with more resources for their theatre programs,” Bruce Jacklin, artistic director said. “With the help of this grant we can fulfill the MTVarts mission by adding the education coordinator to our team.

“The coordinator will organize, schedule and provide qualified teachers to enrich the lives of students and our community.”

The program is funded as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, and awards were calculated based on organizations’ loss in revenue from 2019 to 2020 and 2021 and their 2022 operating budget. For more information about the program, visit Development.Ohio.Gov/ArtsGrant 

The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.

MTVarts is an all-volunteer, non-profit community theatre production company with proven success providing quality, affordable entertainment to their community.

Rooted in audience-driven programming including the Summer Musical Series, educational outreach through The Classics Series, and the artsIQ Series, youth-oriented performance-based workshops, MTVarts also offers arts education with classes and workshops, as well as special projects such as original works, one-act festivals, partnership events, and more. Learn more at www.mtvarts.com or Vimeo.com/MTVarts.