OCA Foundation

Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation was formed in 1990 as a companion organization to Ohio Citizens for the Arts. The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization and provides information about the arts in Ohio and their value to a high quality of life, a strong economy and to achieving excellence in education. The Foundation also serves with the Ohio Arts Council as a co-host for the annual Arts Day, celebrating citizen advocacy for the arts in the state of Ohio and recognizing outstanding arts achievements through the Governor's Awards for the Arts

The Governor's Awards for the Arts and Arts Day Luncheon showcases and celebrates Ohio artists, arts organizations, arts patrons and business support of the arts. Winners are selected in six categories--Arts Administration, Arts in Education, Arts Patron, Business Support of the Arts, Community Development and Participation, and Individual Artist.

The Governor's Awards for the Arts and Arts Day merged in 1986 to form one event co-presented by the Ohio Arts Council and the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation. Ohio Citizens for the Arts, the statewide arts advocacy organization, works for public support of the arts in Ohio and guides and encourages citizens in their participation in Arts Day. Constituents are encouraged to schedule appointments with their legislators the day of the luncheon to discuss the importance of the arts. Legislators are invited to honor the award winners and meet constituents at the awards ceremony. Arts Day and the Governor's Awards is held each year in Columbus in early spring, and the event attracts statewide publicity and a full house at the luncheon.

Arts Day and the Governor's Awards for the Arts take place in early spring to coincide with National Arts Advocacy Day. National Arts Advocacy Day takes place annually in Washington D. C. and marks the beginning of the appropriations cycle on Capitol Hill. Approximately 400-500 arts advocactes from across the country participate in the two-day conference. They come to meet with representatives and senators from their states to lobby for more federal funding for the arts, humanities and cultural institutions. Americans for the Arts, along with approximately 60 co-sponsoring groups, provide training and talking points for the advocates. They also host the Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy each year.

Click here to see photos from Arts Day 2005