Spring 2026 OneNKY Center Artist-in-Residence Program   Call to Artists - Now Accepting Applications for OneNKY Center Artist-in-Residence Program, Spring 2026 

Program Overview   The OneNKY Center Gallery Fueled by ArtsWave is proud to announce the launch of its Spring 2026 OneNKY Center Artist-in-Residence Program funded by the Northern Kentucky Port Authority, meetNKY, and ArtsWave. We invite 2D visual artists to apply for a unique experience to prominently display a collection or series exhibition in the first-floor public gallery located in the OneNKY Center, 209 Greenup St, Covington, KY 41011 from April 24 -September 10, 2026.    

The goals for this program are:   

• To enhance the vibrancy of Northern Kentucky through creative placemaking efforts that amplify the arts and build a connected community for all.  
• To provide economic opportunities for local and regional artists.    
• To inspire, motivate, and instill pride in residents and visitors alike. 

  The OneNKY Center Gallery Fueled by ArtsWave embodies our shared commitment to integrating arts and culture as essential components of community vitality. The gallery is a testament to the power of creative placemaking, demonstrating how strategic investment can transform public spaces into meaningful experiences and how important the creative economy is to the future of the region. Through this dedicated space for artistic expression, we celebrate Northern Kentucky’s distinctive character and reinforce our belief that arts are not merely decorative but fundamental to building connected, vibrant communities. 

  The OneNKY Center Artist-in-Residence Program offers 

• A professional exhibition space for emerging or practicing artists to showcase a vibrant and cohesive body of work in the heart of Northern Kentucky’s thriving arts and culture community.  
• Honorarium stipend of $5,000.00. 
• A supportive and dynamic environment to advance their career development through provided resources and networking opportunities during the residency.  

  From February 11, 2026, to March 6, 2026, we will accept applications from eligible visual artists for the Spring 2026 OneNKY Center Artist-in-Residence Program.    Residency dates will be confirmed with selected artist based on availability to install.    Spring session: Mid-April through September 10, 2026    Opening reception: Friday, April 24, 2026 

 Site Location and Specification 

A 47,000-square-foot Class A office building at the foot of the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge. It houses 10 regional growth organizations: meetNKY, LifeSciKY, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Northern Kentucky Bar Association, Thomas More University Division of External Affairs, BE NKY Growth Partnership, Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky, OneNKY Alliance, The Catalytic Fund and EducateNKY. ArtsWave’s director of creative placemaking will also operate out of the meetNKY office in the OneNKY Center, representing the organization’s first-ever satellite office.   The first-floor gallery space is approximately 1,500 square feet and has 50 linear feet of wall space for exhibition.     

About OneNKY Center Gallery Fueled by ArtsWave   Dedicated on September 12, 2025, the OneNKY Center Gallery Fueled by ArtsWave represents a landmark collaboration between the Northern Kentucky Port Authority, meetNKY, and ArtsWave, embodying our shared commitment to integrating arts and culture as essential components of community vitality. The gallery is a testament to the power of creative placemaking, demonstrating how strategic investment can transform public spaces into meaningful experiences and how important the creative economy is to the future of the region. Through this dedicated space for artistic expression, we celebrate Northern Kentucky’s distinctive character and reinforce our belief that arts are not merely decorative but fundamental to building connected, vibrant communities. 

 About Northern Kentucky Port Authority   The Northern Kentucky Port Authority (NKY Port) was jointly formed as an economic development organization by Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in 1968 under the provisions of KRS 65.510 to 65.650. The NKY Port is a managed entity of BE NKY Growth Partnership and it was activated in 2022 as a real estate and development tool as a key initiative of the Build + Elevate Northern Kentucky investor campaign. Learn more at www.NKYPort.org. 

 About meetNKY   meetNKY drives quality of life and economic growth for Northern Kentucky through tourism marketing and destination development. Learn more at meetNKY.com and visitcincy.com.

 About ArtsWave   ArtsWave fuels the Cincinnati region’s arts, supporting 150+ organizations, projects and artists each year. Since 1927, it has been the primary way the region funds the arts, raising millions annually from tens of thousands of individuals, businesses and foundations to drive a more vibrant economy and connected community. Through the Blueprint for Collective Action, ArtsWave strategically makes investments that maximize the arts’ impact across the region. To learn more and give, visit artswave.org.

 Who May Apply   This is an Open Call to all 2D Artists. Preference will be given to Artists living or working in Northern Kentucky, surrounding areas, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, or with strong ties to the region. This is a qualifications-based selection process; applicants will submit a collection or series of existing work for the exhibition, and will be selected based on their experience, artistry, alignment with the program’s goals, and demonstrated interest. The exhibition should celebrate Northern Kentucky or the Greater Cincinnati Region’s rich history, culture, and identity. Artists who have experience interacting with the community are strongly encouraged to apply.  

• Identify as a 2D visual artist and showcase a portfolio of work with a serious commitment to artistic practice. 
• Be at a pivotal point in their career and demonstrate how residency would be a benefit. 
• Be 21+years of age. 
• Be committed to being present and active for the duration of the residency cycle. Participate in the opening reception, professional development opportunities such as ‘artist talks’, media opportunities, and create a culminating original piece of artwork for the OneNKY Center. 
• Complete and submit an application. 

 Honorarium Stipend    The $5,000.00 honorarium is to be paid and used by artist to 

• Prepare and ready 10-20 pieces for the exhibition (see Art Criteria and Expectations below) 
• Attendance and participation in the gallery opening. 
• Provide three artist talks during the exhibition, to be determined. 
• Being available for media appearances and networking opportunities, as requested.  
• Create one original piece of artwork to present to the OneNKY Center at the conclusion of the residency. 

 Art Criteria and Expectations      All work must arrive in the gallery ready for display. This includes:  

• 2D work must be framed or on gallery wrapped canvas with painted edges.  
• Frames must be undamaged and in good repair.  
• Make sure glass and matte are clean (no fingerprints or smudges) 
• Work on paper must be behind glass/plexi or be sealed.   
• All work must be fully cured. No wet paint! No exceptions!  
• Appropriate weight hanging wire used and secured to the frame (not the backing).   
• Make sure screw eyes and a wire hanger are properly attached for hanging (do not use “sawtooth” hangers) 

  No copies of paintings or published work will be accepted. All work must be original by the artist.      All work to be displayed in the gallery will be received at the predetermined drop-off/pick-up days preceding the exhibition. The inventory list and values will be provided by the artist for the website. The installation and gallery labels will be purchased and provided by the Artist-in-Residence program. All work in the featured artist exhibits will remain in the gallery for the duration of the exhibition.  

 Application Instructions    All application materials must be submitted via Submittable, ArtsWave’s online grantmaking system. We strongly recommend that you begin your online application well before the due date to familiarize yourself with the online system and to address any technical concerns. While completing your application, remember these tips:  

• Be brief, clear and direct, focusing on what is most important.  
• We recommend that you prepare your responses offline in a word processing program and then copy and paste them into the appropriate sections of the online application. 
• Limit the use of bullets and other formatting in text fields. 
• Add Impact@ArtsWave.org to your safe senders list to ensure that you receive all communications from the online grantmaking system. 
• Use one of the following compatible browsers: Chrome® v.22+, Firefox® version v.27+, Internet Explorer® v.8-10 (if enabled), Internet Explorer v.11, Safari® v.7+, or Edge®. 
• The application for the Spring 2026 OneNKY Center Artist-in-Residence Program can be accessed using the following link: https://artswave.submittable.com/submit/ 

 Selection Criteria      The selection panel will be a diverse group of jurors with a breadth of knowledge, perspectives, and experience in varies areas. Primarily, the panel will take into consideration the overall body of work submitted and its representation of the artist’s vision, commitment, dedication to studio practice, and how the residency will advance an artist’s career at a pivotal moment.       The panel will meet in March and anticipate informing artists shortly thereafter.  

• Arist-in-Residence will complete one original piece for the OneNKY Center by the end of residency. 
• Artist-in-Residence is expected to be engaged and participate in career development and networking activities offered. 

 Key Dates 

• Application Open                                              February 11, 2026 
• Application Overview Session 1                       February 13, 2026 at 12:00 pm RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982306834103?aff=oddtdtcreator 
• Application Overview Session 2                      February 18, 2026 at 5:00 pm RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982307293477?aff=oddtdtcreator 
• Application Deadline                                       March 6, 2026 at 5:00 pm 
• Notifications                                                       Week of March 23 
• Artist-in-Residence Opening Reception           April 24, 2026 

 Contact ArtsWave 

• Please email rachael.parker@artswave.org for any questions regarding this Artist-in-Residence Application. 

Need to bring some entertainment to an event or a creative break during a long meeting? Schedule a performance from one of the Cincinnati region's top artists!
Performances can range from an evening of live, in-person entertainment to a quick 5-10 minute virtual drop-in. All art forms are available to fit you and your team. Some examples include...

• At a retirement party, the lyrics to a popular song are rewritten about the person retiring, then sung by a professional who pops in to the meeting (virtually or in-person) to share in the fun.
• A company has someone in leadership who loves classical music, so to surprise that person, an instrumentalist visits the office or joins a call to perform a piece.
• A jazz band provides ambient music for a lunch event.
• A local actor performs a stirring monologue to get the team ready for a major project that's about to begin.

For a list of available artists, check out the Artist Roster.

The rate for each 5-10 minute virtual performance is $125, with most of that fee going directly to the artist. The suggested rates for live, in-person performances are as follows:

• Soloists: $150/hour
• Duos: $300/hour
• Trios: $375/hour
• Quartet+: $125 per performer/hour

 
* Please note, a $25 processing fee will be added to all in-person performances. Rates are subject to change based on artist/ availability. 

 Purpose 

The purpose of the Northern Kentucky (NKY) Creative Placemaking Grant is to encourage a breadth of programming that will amplify arts and cultural heritage projects in Northern Kentucky that support the goals of ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action (Appendix A) and Creative Placemaking Values (Appendix B). This grant is made possible through a partnership between ArtsWave and meetNKY (Northern Kentucky CVB) to leverage the arts to drive economic vitality, social vibrancy, and a connected community for all. NKY Creative Placemaking Grant projects must occur between June 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027. Note: the project cannot be completed prior grant award notification in May 2026.           

Who May Apply 

ArtsWave believes that strong arts create strong communities and actively seeks to promote access, equity, and inclusiveness in its grantmaking. To be eligible for the FY2026 NKY Creative Placemaking Grant, an organization must meet all the following requirements: 

• Have a 501(c)3 tax status or be non-profit in nature with an established fiscal agent. 
• Have a primary mission to provide arts or cultural heritage programs or activities in areas directly concerned with creative placemaking to advance tourism, visitation, neighborhood vitality; Capital and general operating support grants are not eligible. 
• Based in the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN MSA, which includes the following counties: Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio; Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, and Pendleton Counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn, Franklin, and Ohio Counties in Indiana. 
• Has not received funding for the proposed project through another ArtsWave project grant. * 
• Embody ArtsWave’s commitment to access, equity, and inclusiveness. 

 *Proposed projects that have already been funded through the Catalyzing Impact, ArtsWave Pride, Young Professionals, Circle’s African American Arts grant programs or Project Grants for Black and Brown Artists are not eligible for funding. A recipient of any of those grant programs is still eligible to apply if they meet all the requirements above and proposes a different project for the NKY Creative Placemaking grant. 

 *Sustaining Impact grantees are eligible to apply if they meet all requirements above and propose a different project that is new or differentiated from Sustaining Impact funding.       ArtsWave will not award grant support to organizations that, in their constitution, bylaws, or practices, discriminate against a person or group because of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religious belief. In doing so, we seek to promote respect for all people.      

NOTE: 

Applicants new to ArtsWave are highly encouraged to schedule an introductory virtual meeting or phone call prior to the application deadline. Please contact Rachael Parker at rachael.parker@artswave.org to schedule a time. Returning applicants are also encouraged to reach out with any questions they may have related to their project or application. All applicants will be given the opportunity to submit their applications by a pre-deadline, specified date as a review and editing resource.  

An organization may be awarded funding for two consecutive years and then be required to take one (1) year off before applying for the NKY Creative Placemaking Grant again.    

Eligible Requests 

The NKY Creative Placemaking Grant provides funding for arts or cultural heritage projects that demonstrate impact in one or more of the five goals of ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action and project alignment with Creative Placemaking Values.       

A project is defined as a specific, connected set of activities with a start date, end date, and explicit goals and objectives (see Appendix C for more application definitions). Projects with multiple components and/or event dates must show a cohesive theme that ties the entire project together.      

Receiving a NKY Creative Placemaking grant is a competitive process. Eligible project requests may include a new project or an existing project that demonstrates an expansion of impact. Organizations proposing existing projects should be prepared to demonstrate how the proposed work is expanding impact. Examples may include: 

• serving a new or expanded geography (e.g., neighborhood, municipality, or county); 
• serving a new or expanded audience (e.g., age or culturally specific); or  
• deepening impact within an existing project (e.g., expanded themes, content, or timeframe) 

  NKY Creative Placemaking grants cannot be requested for any of the following: 

• General operating support 
• Capital  
• Fundraisers 
• Re-granting 
• Advancing or inhibiting a religious ideology 
• Advocacy of specific political causes or candidates 

ArtsWave will not award grant support to organizations that, in their constitution, bylaws, or practices, discriminate against a person or group because of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religious belief. In doing so, we seek to promote respect for all people.      Organizations may only submit one application per deadline. Organizations may only receive one NKY Creative Placemaking Grant in a single fiscal year. 

Grant Amounts 

Grant awards will be made up to $10,000 or 50% of the total expenses for the proposed project and may be funded partially or in full. Please note in the application if you cannot complete your project with partial funding.     

Match Requirements 

Grants received through the Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grant require a match through which applicants are expected to leverage ArtsWave funds to secure support from outside sources. This grant program requires a 1:1 match by the applicant. Up to 50% of your organization’s matching dollars can come from in-kind contributions. Matching funds do not need to be secured at the time of application, but documentation of the source(s) of matching funds will be required in the final report. For purposes of determining the value, volunteer time should be calculated at $33.49 per hour (Independent Sector, 2026).         

Application Instructions 

All application materials must be submitted via Submittable, ArtsWave’s online grantmaking system. We strongly recommend that you begin your online application well before the due date to familiarize yourself with the online grantmaking system and to address any technical concerns. While completing your application, remember these tips:  

• Be brief, clear and direct, focusing on what is most important.  
• Review panelists may have little or no prior knowledge of your organization. Create a stronger application by:  
• not assuming reviewers have extensive knowledge of all artistic disciplines; 
• explaining acronyms; and 
• explaining the characteristics of your community or audience as needed. 
• We recommend that you prepare your responses offline in a word processing program and then copy and paste them into the appropriate sections of the online application. 
• Limit the use of bullets and other formatting in text fields. 
• Add Impact@ArtsWave.org to your safe senders list to ensure that you receive all communications from the online grantmaking system. 
• Use one of the following compatible browsers: Chrome® v.22+, Firefox® version v.27+, Internet Explorer® v.8-10 (if enabled), Internet Explorer v.11, Safari® v.7+, or Edge®. 

  The application for the FY2026 NKY Creative Placemaking Grant can be accessed using the following link: https://artswave.submittable.com/submit/      The application consists of the following sections (*delineates a field required to submit):    

     A. Grant Applicant Information 

• Organization name and legal address* 
• If 501(c) 3 
• Organization EIN * 
• If not 501(c)3 
• Describe the non-profit status of your organization, including your organization's relationship with an established fiscal agent. (150-word limit)* 
• Provide your organization’s contract or letter agreement with your fiscal agent * 
• Fiscal Agent’s legal street address 
• Fiscal Agent’s EIN* 

    B. Organization Information 

• Organization County/Phone/Website/Neighborhood served* 
• Chief Professional Officer Contact Information* 
• Grant Contact Information (if applicable) 
• Type of Organization* 
• Provide a brief description of your organization and the type of programming you provide. (150-word limit)* 
• Describe your organization's audience and the communities you serve. Please include demographic information such as your audience age, communities--geographic, language, ethnicity, etc. (150-word limit)* 
• Has your organization received an ArtsWave grant since 2020? If yes, please list grant(s) and fiscal year(s). 
• Number of Full-Time, Part-Time, Contract, and Unpaid staff members and Number of Board members 

      C. Details of Request 

• Project title* 
• Select one Blueprint Goal to which your proposed project most closely aligns.*   
• Select which of the three Creative Placemaking Values you will address in your project.* 
• Provide a summary description of the proposed project that will be used for announcements and other marketing summaries. * 
• Provide the physical address of where the proposed project will be completed, held, or performed. (100-word limit; your response should include a street address, city, state, zip)* 
• Provide a more detailed description of the proposed project. Be sure to clarify how the project relates to the Blueprint goal above and the defined criteria for this grant. (500-word limit)* 
• Please describe how the proposed project will add to the overall artistic and cultural vibrancy of Northern Kentucky? (500-word limit)*  
• Estimated total participation (Adults and/or Youth)* 
• Project request type* 
• If “existing project” - Description of project expansion (150-word limit) 
• Anticipated project start date and end date* 
• Provide a proposed timeline for project implementation.* 
• Who are the artists involved with this project? Briefly describe their qualifications and background. (150-word limit) 
• Please list any organizations you will collaborate with for this project and briefly describe the nature of the collaboration. (150-word limit) 
• What are the project's objectives and intended outcomes? What is the change/impact you wish this project to have? These objectives and intended outcomes should be specific, measurable, and aligned to the selected Blueprint goal and Creative Placemaking Value. (500-word limit)* 
• How will outcomes be measured and who (e.g. staff, consultant, etc.) will measure them? (250-word limit)* 
• Select grant resource opportunities taken advantage of.* 
• Impact Team feedback opportunity if application submitted by Friday, March 20, 2026* 
• Please upload an example of your organization's work that illustrates your capacity to accomplish the proposed project. Partnership letters of support are strongly encouraged. (attachment)*  

       D. Financials 

• Annual operating budget* 
• Total project budget* 
• Requested grant amount* 
• How will the grant funds be used? (150-word limit)* 
• Can this project still be completed if award is for partial funding?* 
• Most recent annual financial statement (attachment)*  
• Complete NKY Creative Placemaking Grant Budget Form* 
• Where do you anticipate receiving the match for your grant from?* 
• Any additional budgetary notations. (150-word limit) 
• Please attach a high-resolution organization logo (attachment)* 

      E. Statement of Assurances – An authorizing official will certify that s/he is authorized to submit the application on behalf of the organization and that the information submitted in the application is true and correct to the best of his/her knowledge. 

All application materials must be submitted through the online grantmaking system by 5:00 pm EST on Friday, April 3, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. 

Grant Overview Session 

We welcome you to join ArtsWave as we host a virtual overview webinar for all applicants. Please register to learn more about the NKY Creative Placemaking Grant Guidelines, the application process, and any questions you might have about the program.  

Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Virtual (Zoom) Noon – 1 p.m.  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fy2026-artswave-northern-kentucky-creative-placemaking-grant-overview-tickets-1982298949520?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true 

This webinar session will be recorded and made available on ArtsWave’s website. 

Grant Writing Workshops 

ArtsWave will host three online Grant Writing Workshop webinars as a free resource in conjunction with this grant. 

The General Grant Writing Workshop webinar will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at noon. For details and to register, please visit:  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fy26-artswave-northern-kentucky-creative-placemaking-grant-writing-workshop-tickets-1982300401864?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true 

The Goal Setting and Assessment Workshop webinar will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 1 pm. For details and to register, please visit: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fy26-artswave-nky-creative-placemaking-grant-workshop-goal-setting-asses-tickets-1982301268456?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true 

The Budgets Grant Writing Workshop webinar will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at noon. For details and to register, please visit:  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fy26-artswave-nky-creative-placemaking-grant-workshop-finances-budgets-tickets-1982306069817?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true 

 Other Grant Resources 

If you would like to receive feedback on your application draft, complete the application in Submittable, and click SUBMIT by Friday, March 20, 2026 before 5 PM EST. After we have reviewed your application, you will receive an email through Submittable opening your application to edit that feedback. You must edit and resubmit by the deadline Friday, Apil 3, 2026, before 5 PM EST. 

Determination of Grant Amount 

All applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of community volunteers and ArtsWave staff. Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:      

• The organization has the capacity to contribute to creative placemaking goals in Northern Kentucky.   
• The proposed project is aligned with ArtsWave's Blueprint for Collective Action; 
• The project can be achieved in the proposed timeline; or, should gatherings be limited in the coming months or weather-dependent, that there is an alternate timeline or contingency plan; 
• The project objectives and intended outcomes are clear and measurable; and 
• The proposed project budget is reasonable and meets matching funding requirements. 

 Grant Requirements 

Upon notification of award, grant recipients must submit a grant acceptance form. A single grant payment will be issued once the grant acceptance form has been received. 

Along with the award notification, grantees will receive the FY2026 NKY Creative Placemaking Grantee Handbook, which will outline the grantee expectations and requirements set by ArtsWave for NKY Creative Placemaking grantees in FY2026. By accepting funding, an organization agrees to adhere to the grant recipient guidelines outlined in the handbook, including all of the Terms and Conditions of the federal portion of their award. 

A final report will be due after the project’s completion, but no later than Wednesday, March 31, 2027, or prior to applying for another NKY Creative Placemaking grant. Applicants are ineligible to apply for funding if a previous final report is outstanding. An applicant may not have two NKY Creative Placemaking grants open at the same time. 

Key Dates 

 Virtual Grant Overview Session: March 3, 2026

Virtual Grant Writing Workshops: March 4, 5, 6

Application Deadline: April 3, 2026

Funding Decision: May 14, 2026

Final Report Due: March 31, 2027

* application closes at 5 PM EST on the deadline 

Contact ArtsWave 

Additional application questions may be directed to Rachael Parker at rachael.parker@artswave.org