Buckeye Book Fair Receives Three Grants from Ohio Arts Council to Maintain Literacy and Accessibility Programs

Buckeye Book Fair Receives Three Grants from Ohio Arts Council to Maintain Literacy and Accessibility Programs

Wooster, Ohio – The Buckeye Book Fair is proud to announce that it has received three generous grants from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC), furthering its mission to promote literacy, creativity, and accessibility across the state. These awards highlight Ohio’s commitment to supporting arts and cultural organizations of all sizes, ensuring that residents and visitors have access to high-quality artistic experiences.

We are deeply grateful for the support of the Ohio Arts Council, and we know that we receive this funding because OAC can see the strength of our community behind us. It is your enthusiasm, your attendance, and your love of reading that make the Buckeye Book Fair possible. Without our faithful readers, generous sponsors, and devoted friends, none of this could happen. Every book purchased, every workshop attended, and every smile shared at our events shows that our community values literacy and the arts—and it is that collective support that allows the Buckeye Book Fair to thrive year after year.

The first of these grants comes through the OAC’s Sustainability program, which provides stable and flexible funding to arts organizations regardless of budget size. This support enables the Buckeye Book Fair to continue offering year-round programs, workshops, and events that inspire readers of all ages and position Ohio as a national leader in cultural assets and creativity.

In addition, the Arts Partnership Grant will support the longstanding Young Authors Conference, held in collaboration with the Tri-County Educational Service Center. Scheduled for Thursday, October 30th, 2025, this exciting event welcomes students in grades 3 through 8 to explore writing, illustration, and publishing through workshops, author presentations, and autograph sessions. The conference offers valuable classroom resources, one-on-one interaction with celebrated authors and illustrators, and awards that recognize young literary talent.

This year’s featured authors and illustrators include:

• Dustin Brady (Strongsville, OH) – Author of Adventures in a Video Game: Never Trust a Robot, combining humor, adventure, and gaming for young readers.
• Eric Jon Slangerup (Columbus, OH) – Creator of the 1980s-inspired sci-fi series Molly and the Machine and Molly and the Mutants.
• Jerzy Drozd (Columbus, OH) – Ohio Teaching Artist and co-author of Science Comics: Rockets, offering engaging insights into science and storytelling.
• Shannon Hale – New York Times bestselling author of over fifty books, including Princess Academy and the Real Friends graphic memoirs.

With over 400 students participating, the Young Authors Conference offers a transformative experience, helping children develop confidence, creativity, and a love of reading. Schools outside the Tri-County area are encouraged to contact Brett Lanz at tesc_blanz@tccsa.net for field trip opportunities.

Finally, the Buckeye Book Fair received a Capacity Building Grant, which supported attendance at the Kennedy Center’s 25th annual Leadership Exchange in Arts & Disability (LEAD) Conference in Cleveland. This event brought together nearly 700 leaders, advocates, and innovators to share best practices in accessibility. With the support of the OAC, more than 150 attendees from Ohio, including 59 representatives from 26 organizations, participated. Special recognition goes to OAC’s Kim Turner, awarded the 2025 Award for Excellence in Accessibility Leadership for her dedication to fostering inclusive arts spaces statewide.

These three grants collectively strengthen the Buckeye Book Fair’s ability to promote literacy, support emerging authors, and ensure that arts and cultural events remain accessible to all. The organization extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Ohio Arts Council for its continued support and partnership in enriching Ohio’s cultural landscape.

For more information on upcoming events, including the Young Authors Conference and the Buckeye Book Fair, visit buckeyebookfair.com.