WMVO Good Times Great Oldies
The Woodward Opera House is one of 104 arts-based organizations receiving
economic relief grants. In total, organizations in 33 counties will receive more than $20 million in grants.
Governor Mike DeWine announced the awards as the second round of the Ohio Arts Economic Relief
Grant Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Development. In total, more than $43 million
in grants have been announced for 243 arts organizations across the state.
Today’s award will support The Woodward Opera House to provide the community with a facility in
which to entertain and share the arts. Woodward Opera House Manager, Dena Hess-McKinstry said
“The smaller intimate venues that we have in addition to our 500-seat theater, helps us to be the prime
location for events like dinner theater, corporate meetings, weddings, birthday parties, as well as
concerts. These funds will help us share all we have to offer with our community. Partnering with local
talent and nonprofits is what we value most, and this grant allows us to continue our good work. We are
extremely grateful”
“Ohio artists and arts organizations make our state an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family,”
said Governor DeWine. “Ohio is the heart of it all – and by supporting the arts, we continue to ensure
artistic excellence.”
The Woodward Opera House was one of only two Knox County arts organizations to receive this grant.
The other being MTV arts, a local volunteer-based play company. MTV arts is currently putting on a
production in The Woodward Opera House which made the news an even bigger celebration for the two
groups!!
The grants announced today will help pay for employee compensation, excluding bonuses; employee
recruitment, rehiring, and training expenses; rent or mortgage payments; and operating costs.
“Ohio’s arts and culture are big business in the heart of the heartland,” said Lydia Mihalik, Director of
the Ohio Department of Development. “By supporting these organizations, we’re supporting the business of art, which is essential for economic growth but also essential for creating vibrant and diverse
communities.”
The grant program was created in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly as part of a bill
sponsored by Sen. George Lang (R-West Chester) which was later merged into House Bill 45. The first
round, announced in May, awarded more than $23 million to 139 organizations.
The program is funded as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, and awards were calculated based on
organizations’ loss in revenue from 2019 to 2020 and 2021 and their 2022 operating budget. For more
information about the program, visit Development.Ohio.Gov/ArtsGrant
The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people,
places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.
To find out more about The Woodward Opera House you are encouraged to visit their website at
www.thewoodward.org as well as follow their social media pages.
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43215 • U.S.A. • 614 | 466-2609
The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer
