Essential Arts Education Grants for Schools is a new grant program of the Oklahoma Arts Council.
Donor Name: Oklahoma Arts Council
State: Oklahoma
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/01/2023
Size of the Grant: $5,000
Details:
The grant program—offering a significant increase in funding for schools—reinforces the essential role of arts education during the school day.
Schools across Oklahoma can apply for Essential Arts Education Grants for eligible arts education programs that take place during the school day. Individual schools can apply for two grants of up to $5,000 per school year with a 10 percent cash match. Arts education plays an important role in improving academic performance. Studies show that students who have four years of high school arts education score higher on college entrance exams than students with little or no arts education. Arts education often improves performance in math and science, increases school attendance, promotes civic engagement, and decreases anti-social behavior. In addition, arts education supports the development of the whole child, builds skills, and offers students positive methods of creative self-expression.
Students receive the most benefit when they receive an arts education that is:
- Sequential, building skills over time.
- Hands-on, allowing students to engage deeply in the creative process.
- Led by educators with both artistic expertise and educational experience.
Program Objectives
- Expand arts access (dance, drama, literary arts, media arts, music, and/or visual arts) to more Oklahoma students
- Support hands-on, sequential arts learning with teaching artists that takes place during school hours
- Expand arts access (dance, drama, literary arts, media arts, music, and/or visual arts) to more Oklahoma Students
- Create more opportunities for Oklahoma students to meaningfully engage with the arts during the school day.
Focus Areas
This grant program supports the following focus areas of Oklahoma Arts Council’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan:
- Invest in Quality Arts Education and Lifelong Learning (Goal 2: Advance Arts Education)
- Build and Empower Partnerships to Ensure Equitable Access Statewide (Goal 2: Arts Education)
- Invest in Oklahoma’s Arts and Cultural Assets (Goal 1: Cultivate and Support the Arts in Oklahoma)
- Elevate Artistry and Catalyze Creative Community Development (Goal 1: Cultivate and Support the Arts in Oklahoma)
- Promote and Equip Oklahoma Artists and Programs (Goal 1: Cultivate and Support the Arts in Oklahoma).
Funding Information
- Each school site is eligible to apply for two grants up to $5,000 each per school year. Award amounts are determined using the grant program scoring criteria and agency priorities.
- Match requirement: 10%. Matching funds may not be other Oklahoma Arts Council funds. Award amounts are determined using the grant program scoring criteria and agency priorities.
What Expenses Are Allowable?
Funding from the Arts in Alternative Education Grant can be used to reimburse the following expenses:
- Teaching Artist Fees (payment to the teaching artist hired or contracted to lead instruction)
- Teaching Artist Travel Expenses (may include mileage, lodging, or other costs but cannot include food or drink)
- Contracted Administration or Technical Fees (payment for a contracted project coordinator, grant writer, or other professional services)
- Consumable Supplies (must be directly related to the project, supply expenses cannot exceed 30% of overall project budget)
- Other Expenses (including printed programs, signage, licensing and/or royalty fees, etc.)
What Types of Projects Can Be Supported?
Learning-based arts projects, including:
- In-school classes, residencies, and workshops (frequency and duration may vary; focus should be on sequential hands-on learning) where each student receives six or more hours of hands-on arts engagement.
- Online/virtual learning-based arts programs where each student receives six or more hours of hands- on arts.
Who Can Apply?
Oklahoma PreK-12 public, charter, and private schools.
For more information, visit OAC.
