Record Interest Drives $350,000 in Montgomery County Arts Grants

The Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District (MCACD) announced 32 recipients of its 2026-2027 Special Projects Grant (SPG) cycle, awarding $350,000 in funding to support arts and cultural projects. The funded projects that will take place throughout Montgomery County through December 2027.

The Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District extends its sincere appreciation to the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners for their continued investment in the arts and culture sector. Their support makes this funding possible and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to strengthening the quality of life, economic vitality, and creative identity of communities throughout Montgomery County.

The Special Projects Grant invests in arts and cultural projects that strengthen Montgomery County's creative ecosystem while expanding public access to high-quality arts, culture, and heritage experiences. The 2026-2027 cycle attracted a record 59 applications, reflecting growing interest in the program from nonprofits, municipalities, and individual artists throughout Montgomery County. As part of the transition to a January through December grant calendar, this special 18-month funding cycle supports projects through December 2027 while positioning the program for a consistent annual schedule moving forward.

Following an eligibility review, applications were evaluated by a panel of 12 community reviewers with expertise in arts disciplines, nonprofit administration, and community development. Using a standardized scoring rubric, reviewers assessed proposals based on artistic merit, community impact, accessibility, organizational capacity, and project feasibility. The transition cycle introduced program updates designed to simplify the application process, broaden participation, and better align future funding opportunities with the calendar year.

"This year's grant recipients reflect the creativity and passion that make Montgomery County's arts community so vibrant," said Diane Farrell, Board Chair of the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District. "We're proud to support projects that will create meaningful experiences for residents across the county."

"The MCACD Board is proud to support this year's Special Projects Grant recipients, whose diverse projects serve as a catalyst for Montgomery County's cultural and economic vitality," said Daniel Tuss, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District. "An investment in the arts is an investment in the heart and future of our community."

Funded projects range from long-established cultural institutions to neighborhood nonprofits and municipalities launching innovative community programs. Together, they reflect the breadth and diversity of Montgomery County's arts and cultural landscape while celebrating the people, places, and traditions that make Montgomery County unique.

2026-2027 Special Projects Grant Recipients

Abundant Life Christ Centered Ministries – One Vision: Build

African American Visual Arts Guild – Affirming Shared Values of Equality, Diversity and the Power of Artistic Speech

Agape for Youth – Children’s Book and Workbook

Bach Society of Dayton – Performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis in D Major, Op. 123

City of West Carrollton – Community Mural Project

Dayton Dance Conservatory Company – Art & Movement for All (AMFA)

Dayton Holocaust Resource Center – Resistance and Resilience Project

Dayton Liederkranz-Turners – GermanFest Picnic

Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation – Student Author Series

Dayton Playhouse – FutureFest

Dayton Society of Artists – Future is Now Experience: Dayton Edition

Dayton United for Human Rights – Hope Unites Us: A Cultural Artivism Celebration

Downtown Dayton Partnership – Art in the City

Dream Driven Non-Profit – SHE-Roe Rising

GEM Project Dayton – GEM Art Contest for Suicide Prevention

House of Bread – Empty Bowls

Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton – Cultural Arts and Book Series

Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra – Beethoven's 9th Symphony — A Community Celebration

Minnita Daniel-Cox – The Dunbar Music Series

OKO Studio – Dayton Art Book Fair

Old North Dayton Historic Neighborhood – The Troy Street Corridor Revitalization Project

Puerto Rican & Caribbean Organization – Hispanic Heritage Festival

REACH Indigenous Advocacy – REACH Fest, Native American Heritage Festival

Sweet Adelines Int'l Gem City Chapter – Unmute Yourself!

The Blue House Arts – Support and Belonging: A Series of Solo Exhibitions

The Dayton International Peace Museum – Fall Peace Series

The Dayton Printmakers Cooperative – Cooperative Workshop Series

The Friends of New Horizons – New Horizons Music Program Guest Artist Series

The Journalism Lab – Stories of Montgomery County

The Rong Way – Corridor Connection

United Irish of Dayton – Dayton Celtic Festival

Vandalia Youth Theater – Youth Theater Summer Education & Performance Initiative