How the OAC Capacity Grant Empowered Kimberly Jarvis and the Buckeye Book Fair

At the heart of Ohio’s cultural landscape is a growing commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Thanks to the Ohio Arts Council’s (OAC) Capacity Grant, that commitment has been energized through the work of Kimberly Jarvis—teaching artist, arts advocate, and Executive Director of the Buckeye Book Fair.

Kimberly, who brings dance and movement into classrooms throughout Ohio, wears many creative hats. Her work with the Buckeye Book Fair, a long-standing celebration of Ohio authors and readers, has always aimed to connect communities through literacy. But with support from the OAC, that mission has expanded to ensure that those connections are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

In 2024, the Buckeye Book Fair applied for and received an OAC Capacity Grant to deepen its impact. A key goal: build the Fair’s accessibility and inclusivity. The grant’s strategic funding allowed Kimberly to attend the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Conference and the Education Conference, held July 29–August 2 in Seattle, Washington.

LEAD is more than a professional gathering—it’s a launchpad for transformative learning. Focused on cultural accessibility, LEAD offers experiential training, hands-on workshops, and access to a global network of professionals from museums, theaters, libraries, zoos, and other cultural venues. For Kimberly, this was a rare opportunity to explore real-world solutions to accessibility challenges—and to bring those insights back to Ohio.

While at LEAD, Kimberly connected with arts leaders from Florida, Texas, Michigan, Washington, and North Carolina. These conversations acted as a kind of “brain trust,” offering collaborative ideas and practical strategies to better serve audiences with disabilities. Kimberly also attended dynamic workshops and sessions featuring top accessibility experts, gaining tools that she could immediately apply at the Buckeye Book Fair.

Among the most impactful experiences was a tour she took with a colleague called “Beneath the Streets.” This immersive journey through Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square highlighted storytelling rooted in fact and cultural understanding. The tour company’s dedication to authenticity—through partnerships with tribal leaders and historians—mirrored LEAD’s emphasis on respectful, inclusive narratives. For Kimberly, it was a powerful reminder of how access and engagement go hand in hand.

Since returning from the conference, Kimberly has already begun implementing significant changes to the Buckeye Book Fair. These include:

• Open captions at events
• Wider aisles for easier mobility
• Trained accessibility volunteers for attendees with visible and invisible disabilities

These steps are just the beginning. The conference inspired a broader vision that’s taking shape across the Fair’s year-round programming—from student literature days to the Buckeye Book Camp for aspiring young writers and illustrators. The result? A more inclusive and welcoming environment for Ohioans of all ages and abilities.

The ripple effect of the OAC Capacity Grant is clear: it empowered one leader to build a more accessible future for many. Kimberly Jarvis’s growth, the enhanced programming at the Buckeye Book Fair, and the strengthened connections within Ohio’s arts ecosystem all point to a simple truth: when we invest in people, we elevate communities.

The Ohio Arts Council’s support ensures that organizations like the Buckeye Book Fair don’t just thrive—they grow with purpose. With continued investment and vision, Ohio’s cultural spaces can become places where everyone belongs.

Interested in learning more about the Buckeye Book Fair’s accessibility initiatives? Follow along at www.BuckeyeBookFair.org or visit us in person on November 2, 2024, at the Greystone Event Center in Wooster, Ohio.

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