Ohio Arts Council
Big Yellow School Bus (arts field trip transportation)
The Ohio Arts Council pays up to $500 for buses to arts field trips. Private and parochial schools and homeschool associations can apply year-round.
- Amount
- Up to $500; no match
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- No: for-profit schools excluded
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Who this fits
- Private school · Microschool · Homeschool co‑opPublic, private, charter and parochial schools and associations of home-schooled students are named. Must be nonprofit or nonprofit in intent.Religious schools: yes, not for religious activities
- New schools
- Not stated for new schools
- Where
- Ohio only
- Last checked
- Oct 28, 2026on oac.ohio.gov
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- How OAC judges 'nonprofit intent' for an informal homeschool association
- Whether Appendix A's rule that school programs be marketed to the public applies to bus trips (it exempts only TeachArtsOhio by name)
How to apply
- Step 1: Pick a professional arts event, museum or performance in Ohio
- Step 2: Get an official document of the bus cost (contract, purchase order or a letter from an authorizing official)
- Step 3: Apply in OAC's ARTIE system at least 8 weeks before the trip
- Step 4: Sign the grant agreement in ARTIE and file the final report within 30 days
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“public, private, charter, or parochial schools (pre-kindergarten through grade 12) and associations of home-schooled students”
Pays bus or van, licensed driver, fuel, parking and accessibility costs for field trips to professional arts and cultural events in Ohio (galleries, museums, festivals, music, dance, theatre). Not for admission fees, student-only contests or showcases, or students' own performances. Priority to new applicants and underrepresented areas when funds are short. Paid after the final report is approved, so you pay the bus first. OAC Appendix A: incorporated and operating in Ohio; nonprofit or nonprofit in intent; for-profit corporations excluded; no projects mainly presenting religious ideas. Faith: parochial schools named (secular use). Paid to: the school or group.
- Ohio school or association of home-schooled students, nonprofit or nonprofit in intent
- Trip to a professional arts or cultural activity in Ohio
- Official document verifying the actual transport cost (contract, purchase order or authorizing letter)
- Apply at least 8 weeks before the trip; final report within 30 days
Timing
Year-round, at least eight weeks before the trip. Typical timeline: award notice 4 to 5 weeks before; grant agreement signed at least 2 weeks before; final report within 30 days after.