Taxes from sports and entertainment ticket sales and hotel stays are expected to raise more than $24 million this year for Columbus arts groups.
Columbus City Council on Monday approved legislation to distribute this year's money through the Greater Columbus Arts Council.
GCAC's Chief Creative Officer Jami Goldstein said the money will go to support 108 organizations including the Columbus Museum of Art, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, COSI and BalletMet.
In 2023, BalletMet used this money to replace a dance floor.
"We're making sure facilities are really solid," Goldstein said.
But funds will also go to support grants for artists and filmmakers.
That includes up to $10,000 for artists' projects and up to $25,000 for filmmaking projects.
Goldstein said the money will be used for 21 new public murals. A mural program was launched in 2022. So far, 81 murals have been funded, with 40 of those completed, Goldstein said. That includes murals on the West Side, South Side and in the Minerva Park area.
Goldstein said this wouldn't be possible without a 5% ticket tax that went into effect in 2019.
The hotel/motel tax is 5.1%.
Tom Katzenmeyer, president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council, told Columbus City Council on Monday that as grants have increased, organizations are able to expand education programs and social service partnerships and launch new ones.
Katzenmeyer also said that groups can offer more worker benefits and improve facilities to prepare for Columbus’ future growth in residents and visitors.
Tickets for sporting events, concerts, museums and other performances are taxed. Ohio State University sports are exempt.
Money raised from the taxes also goes toward Nationwide Arena improvements.
