Ohio Arts Council awards grants to Medina County organizations

Medina County arts organizations are some of the recipients of the largest single round of grants distributed by the Ohio Arts Council to applicants. The Ohio Arts Council Board approved $23.3 million in arts grants, which were distributed through 965 grants awarded to arts organizations and artists in the state. Ohio Regional Music, Arts and Cultural Outreach was one of the Medina County organizations to receive grant funding from this round. ORMACO founder and Executive Director Tom Sigel said the organization has a variety of programming like concert series featuring local artists and outreach programs. "Our mission is to make music, arts and culture accessible for all," he said. "We focus on programming for underserved, disadvantaged and rural populations." ORMACO received about $8,150 from a sustainability grant, and about $6,400 from an Ohio artists on tour grant. Sigel said the sustainability grant will go toward the organization's operating expenses. "We try to focus on Ohio artists for the most part, so that's where the Ohio artists on tour grant comes into play," he said. "The Ohio Arts Council helps us with that." Sigel said in a time where funding is being scrutinized and slashed, the organization relies on donations from the public and grants to keep ORMACO alive. "What we've seen over the years is that the first thing that is slashed is funding for the arts," he said. "The emphasis is always on sports; so music, arts and culture are lacking. That's where my organization, now in its 15th year, is filling that gap. There's a huge need." Another local grant recipient was the Buckeye Community Theatre. Artistic Director Kimberly States said the organization is a youth theater that allows kids to perform and gives them job training opportunities for positions like stage manager. "We provide all sorts of opportunities, so they can learn backstage as well as being on stage," she said. Buckeye Community Theatre received an approximately $4,000 ArtStart grant. States said the funding will allow the theater to put on a sensory-friendly performance of "Matilda Jr." on Oct. 3 at the Haddad Theatre at 144 N. Broadway St. in Medina. The show will be catered to those who have sensory sensitivities or a disability by creating a more relaxed and welcoming environment, she said. The lights will be dimmed to about 50 percent rather than all the way down, the sound effects will be quieter and there will be sign language interpreters. "The performance is also pay-what-you-can, so you don't have to actually pay anything to come to that show," States said. "We don't expect donations, but we accept them. Anybody can come in, and there's no financial barrier to see that show, which is also very important to us." States said many people see the arts as something extra, but theater can teach a lot of life skills and give kids the chance to meet other children who are like themselves. "It teaches confidence," she said. "It teaches how to collaborate with others. It is also really a place for all children." The following Medina County artists and art organizations also received a grant: Taras Mahlay received an approximately $3,700 traditional arts apprenticeship grant. Main Street Medina received a sustainability grant worth about $6,200. Access the Arts received a $670 grant for Ohio artists on tour and a sustainability grant of around $6,500. "Through today's meaningful, impactful investment, we are proud to increase access to the arts in communities across Ohio to the benefit of Ohio residents and visitors," Ohio Arts Council Executive Director Donna Collins said in a statement. "The arts directly contribute to making our state a place of innovation, vitality and cultural importance." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.