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Tiffin Arts Partnership Program (TAPP)

A citywide program that champions all forms of art—visual, theatre, music, dance, literary arts, sculpture, murals, installations, concerts, and more—through a grants program and a signature arts project each year.

Signature Project
Grants Program

What is TAPP?

TAPP includes two distinct programs: the Signature Arts Project and the Grants Program. The Signature Arts Project is guided by the Arts Advisory Council, with members representing the City of Tiffin, the Seneca County Collaborative, and the community. The Grants Program is administered by the Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission (TMAC), an official City of Tiffin commission (tiffinohio.gov/TMAC).

Signature Arts Project

More info coming soon!

Grants Program

GRANTS DUE SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2026, AT 11:59 PM

There are two grants available on an annual basis:

Community Placemaking Grant: Up to $1,500; open to individuals, groups, organizations, and businesses. The purpose of this grant is to support arts-focused, community projects in the City of Tiffin that are open to the public.

Artistic Development Grant: Up to $500; open to individuals. The purpose of this grant is to cover professional development experiences and materials for artists at any stage of their career who reside in or attend school in the City of Tiffin.

Please read all instructions carefully. Completing the application does not guarantee funding. Late submittals will not be accepted.

How to Apply

Step 1. Read through program announcement.

2026 Program Announcement

Step 2. Review and fill out an application.

We recommend preparing responses and documents before starting the application.

Community Placemaking Grant Application
Artistic Development Grant Application
Blank W-9 Form

Step 3. Submit completed application and all documents by Sunday, June 7, 11:59 PM using one the following methods:

Grant FAQs

Who is eligible to apply?

Community Placemaking Grant: Artists, individuals, groups, organizations (non-profit or otherwise), and businesses. However, the funded project cannot generate profit, be a fundraiser, nor serve primarily commercial purposes.

Artistic Development Grant: Individual artists only.

What activities/costs are eligible?

Community Placemaking Grant:

Examples of eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Dance, theater, music, visual arts, literature, combination or multiple art form performances.
  • Costs associated with the creation of public art (e.g., installations, murals, statues, sculpture, and/or other publicly visible art).
  • Artist commissioning fees.
  • Concerts, parades, festivals, performances, celebrations of local artists, and social or culturally specific traditions.

Artistic Development Grant:

Examples of eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Conference attendance fees.
  • Travel costs for attending a performance/event presenting the artist’s work.
  • Artist residency fees.
  • Equipment purchase for studio.
  • Materials and supplies for artistic process (e.g., paints, brushes, canvas, instruments, software).
What activities/costs are ineligible?

Community Placemaking Grant:

Ineligible activities include:

  • Activities that are not open to the general public.
  • Projects happening outside of the City of Tiffin.
  • Projects that replace school curricula or funds for contracted school faculty.
  • Projects that are considered fundraising benefits for organizations.
  • Projects that have a revenue-generating or commercial purpose.

Artistic Development Grant:

Ineligible activities include:

  • Travel costs for attending performance/events NOT presenting the artist’s work.
How are grant awards decided?

After the grant application closes, TMAC board members review submitted applications and choose award recipients based on the criteria below. While not all criteria are strictly required, projects that meet most or all of the criteria are more likely to be selected.

Clarity & Feasibility

  1. Project information is complete and clearly articulated.
  2. A comprehensive schedule of activities is provided.
  3. The scope and timeline are realistic for successful completion by the deadline.

Artistic & Cultural Focus

  1. Arts and culture are at the center of the project.
  2. Local artists are meaningfully involved.
  3. The project’s artistic concept is clear and creative.
  4. The project contributes to Tiffin’s vibrancy, visibility, and reputation as a hub for the arts.

Budget

  1. Expenses and income are equal.
  2. The budget is comprehensive of all possible costs.
  3. Income projections are realistic and likely to be met.

FOR PLACEMAKING GRANT ONLY

Economic Impact

  1. Local partnerships are included in the project.
  2. The project will have an impact beyond the applicant/producer, including but not limited to impacts on local artists and/or businesses.

Audience Impact

  1. The project is accessible and inclusive.
  2. The project increases community pride.
  3. The project has potential for regional draw.
  4. Outreach plans are achievable and comprehensive.

Additional Grant Opportunities & Resources

Looking for funding beyond the Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission grants? The opportunities below may support public art, performances, creative placemaking, cultural programming, artist development, and community arts initiatives. Eligibility, deadlines, and funding priorities change regularly, so applicants should review each program carefully before applying.

Ohio Arts Council

The Ohio Arts Council offers grants for organizations, arts learning, artists, and project support, including programs such as ArtSTART, ArtsNEXT, ArtsRISE, Capacity Building, Ohio Artists on Tour, Individual Excellence Awards, and Artist Opportunities. (oac.ohio.gov)

Best for: artists, arts organizations, public art, performances, exhibitions, arts education, and creative community projects.

National Endowment for the Arts – Grants for Arts Projects

The NEA’s primary grant program supports public engagement with the arts and projects across a wide variety of artistic disciplines. The program also includes creative placemaking initiatives through the “Design & Our Town” discipline. (arts.gov)

Best for: public art, festivals, arts programming, community arts partnerships, and creative placemaking initiatives.

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation

Mid Atlantic Arts supports artists, presenters, and cultural organizations through grants, touring programs, and special initiatives designed to expand access to the arts. (midatlanticarts.org)

Best for: performances, touring artists, multidisciplinary arts programming, and regional arts partnerships.

Creative Capital Grants

Creative Capital provides funding and professional development support for innovative and experimental artists across multiple disciplines. (creative-capital.org)

Best for: individual artists, contemporary art projects, multimedia work, and emerging creative initiatives.

VIA Art Fund – Artistic Production Grants

VIA Art Fund supports the production of newly commissioned visual art projects presented in public spaces or non-traditional exhibition environments. Grants support projects that emphasize artistic innovation, public engagement, and creative placemaking. Grant amounts typically range from $25,000 to $100,000. (viaartfund.org/apply)

Best for: public art installations, artist-led placemaking projects, temporary or permanent outdoor art, and large-scale contemporary visual art initiatives.

Tiffin Community Foundation

The Tiffin Community Foundation supports charitable projects that improve quality of life within the community, including arts and cultural initiatives. (tiffinfoundation.org)

Best for: local arts programming, community art installations, cultural events, and collaborative creative projects.