The Creative Start Project Grant funds projects that integrate the arts to support learning for preschool to 3rd grade students.
Donor Name: Washington State Art Commission
State: Washington
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/12/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
This one-year grant focuses on helping students grow creatively, academically, and emotionally, with a strong emphasis on equitable access to arts education. It encourages partnerships between educators, schools, families, teaching artists, and organizations to create inclusive and culturally responsive arts learning for students.
Funding Information
$6,000 or $10,000.
Project Period
July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
Allowable Expenses
Many costs that support the approved AIE projects can be covered. Common project expenses may include:
- Fees for project staff:
- Artists, teaching artists, and partnering community organizations
- Staff time for project planning, curriculum, and resource development
- Project management, coordination and/or in-state consultants
- Fees for professional learning for educators, parents, caregivers, or community members
- Travel expenses for in-state teaching artists and consultants
- Materials, supplies, software, and technology aligned with project goals. Material costs cannot exceed: 25% of your grant request
- Administrative expenses including printing costs, postage, and other administrative fees
- Fees for project related student tickets and transportation expenses
- Fees for increasing access to programming such as closed captioning, translation services, interpreters, differentiated curriculum/material development, or consultant support on these efforts
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects must:
- Focus on students, families, and/or educators in Washington State in any grades from preschool to grade 3 (serving all grades is not required)
- Focus on arts integration: teaching and learning that connects an arts discipline with non-arts curriculum in a way that meets standards and learning outcomes for both
- Be 100% free of charge for all participating students and families
- Deliver sequential arts integration teaching and learning (not one-time events)
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants must be based in Washington State and be one of the following:
- Head Start or Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) providers, their contractors and/or subcontractors
- Public school or School District
- Educational Service District (ESD)
- Tribal, State, or Municipal Government Agency
- Non-Profit with 501(c)(3) with current state corporate nonprofit status and current federal tax-exempt determination under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
For more information, visit ArtsWA.
