The Arts for Schools grant program helps Buncombe County nonprofit arts organizations and teaching artists provide arts focused performances, workshops, residencies, field trips for students attending Buncombe County and City of Asheville K-12 public schools.
Donor Name: Arts AVL
State: North Carolina
County: Buncombe County (NC)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/16/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The primary purpose of the Arts for Schools program is to provide in school arts programming for students attending economically disadvantaged schools. The goal is to help ensure that students across Buncombe County have access to the benefits of these arts experiences.
Priorities
- Economically Disadvantaged Schools: Proposals focused on serving students in Economically Disadvantaged Schools will receive priority (view school rankings
- Multicultural Programs: Although our top priority is serving Economically Disadvantaged Schools, they will also prioritize multicultural programs. For a program to be considered multicultural it must be conducted by artists, ensembles, or organizations of color and/or promote African American, Asian American, Latino, or Native American cultures.
- Capacity Building for Afterschool Programs: The primary focus of the WNC After 3pm program is on afterschool programming, so out of school applications focusing on afterschool will receive priority over other out of school programs. Proposals that help ensure the long-term sustainability of these programs will also be prioritized.
Type of Programs
- In School
- In School is defined as programs occurring during regular school hours
- Out of School
- Out of School programs are defined as occurring afterschool (weekdays only) or camps (summer or holiday breaks).
Funding Information
- In School
- Grants for in school programs range from $500-$2,000
- Out of School
- Grants for out of school programs range from $500-$5,000.
Grant Period
Programs do not need to be scheduled by application date – however, funded programs must take place between July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
Uses of Funds
Examples of appropriate use of funds include: artist fees (only for artists located in Buncombe County for the specific school program(s) outlined in the proposal), student materials/art supplies, admission fees, and transportation fees for students to attend an arts experience.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be located in Buncombe County for at least 1 year.
- Applicants must be a 501c3 nonprofit arts organization OR a qualified teaching artist.
- Qualified Teaching Artist: To be considered a qualified teaching artist, you must have either a BA or BFA in their specific art form, or an equivalent in training and experience.
- Must have at least 5 years of experience working in arts education.
- Programs must serve students in Buncombe County or City of Asheville K-12 public schools.
- Programs must be free for students and schools (this could include providing a specific number of scholarships).
- Align with North Carolina’s Common Core curriculum and Essential Standards
- For in school programs: A school partnership agreement form is required as part of your application.
- For out of school programs: Applicants are ineligible to apply if they already receive funding for the proposed arts-focused program from Dogwood Health Trust’s WNC After 3pm initiative.
- For camps: Only 501c3 nonprofit arts organizations may apply for funding for camps, and the camp must be a program of that arts nonprofit.
For more information, visit ARTS AVL.
