Arts and cultural organizations across Montgomery County have the opportunity to bring creative projects to life. Applications for the 2026–2027 Special Projects Grant opened today, March 20, with up to $275,000 in total funding available through the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District.

Dayton Dance Initiative is a past recipient of Special Projects Grant funding
Administered by Venus Child Productions, the grant awards up to $15,000 per project to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and government agencies located in or primarily serving Montgomery County. This cycle features an extended 18-month project window running from July 2026 through December 2027, giving organizations more time and flexibility to plan and execute their work.
Eligible projects span six categories: Cultural Heritage, Cultural & Multi-Arts, Education, Literary Arts, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. In a notable change from previous cycles, the Letter of Intent phase has been removed. Applicants now proceed directly to the full application.
“We want to make this process as accessible as possible,” said Libby Ballengee, Program Administrator at Venus Child Productions. “Whether you’re a first-time applicant or a returning grantee, the streamlined application and extended timeline are designed to support strong, thoughtful projects.”
Two free virtual information sessions are scheduled for prospective applicants:

Signature Educational Solutions
Both sessions will be recorded and posted online. New applicants are especially encouraged to attend.
The application deadline is Friday, May 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM EST.
Full program guidelines, FAQs, and the online application are available at specialprojectsgrant.com.



It’s time for the 172nd Montgomery County Fair! Gates open today at noon and will be open until 10pm tonight. A new petting zoo, acts from the Cincinnati Circus, chicken, sheep, rabbit and turkey showmanship, the President’s Baking Contest and a tractor pull are all featured today. 4-H clubs throughout the county will be participating in judging and fair activities.






From May 1st through the 12th, the Judges of the Montgomery County Municipal court has authorized an Amnesty event. All persons with outstanding fines and court costs can pay 1/2 of those costs to the Clerk of the Courts and request the other 50% of costs to be waived during this period in May.










































Mr. Bish was born near Carroll County, Maryland and hails from one of the old families of that state, founded in America by his great grand-father. Noah decided after his early school years to move to the Montgomery County area where he was employed on a farm for three seasons. He married Sarah C. Clemmer on November 11, 1869 and had three children: George William, Susan Adie and Ray Clemmer.

























