Arts Learning Grants

Maine Arts Commission grants

The Maine Arts Commission awards grants to artists, arts organizations, and arts educators through 12 different programs. The 2017 applications for six of these, with a deadline of March 23, are now open. The Arts Learning grant is especially for schools and educators working with students providing arts education.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 23, 2017, 5 PM.

The maximum award is $5,000. Last year the average grant award was $2,300.

ABOUT THE ARTS LEARNING GRANT

Funds are to be used to enhance PK-12 arts education through teaching artist programs, connections with community arts education, curriculum planning, professional learning for arts educators, teaching artists and teachers of all content.

The proposal should include the use of best educational standards-based practices reflecting 21-century teaching and learning.

PK-12 schools, community organizations, and cultural institutions acting as or in partnership with teaching artists are eligible to apply for the Arts Learning grant.

There is a required 50% in-kind or cash match for this grant. (For example, an applicant asking for $5,000 must provide $2,500 of matching support.)

The funding cycle for this program is July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Your school or organization is eligible to apply only if it meets all of the following criteria:

• Is a nonprofit organization, legally established in the state of Maine.
• Has a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, is a public school, or is a unit of municipal, county or tribal government.
• Is in compliance with final reports required for any previous Maine Arts Commission awards received.

REVIEW CRITERIA

Arts Learning Grant applications are reviewed on a competitive basis using the following criteria:

• Demonstration of high-quality arts education teaching and learning opportunities. (25%)
• Clear description of the project and its impact. (20%)
• Evidence of significant collaborative planning among teachers and other partners and capacity to carry it out. (20%)
• Description of evaluation methodology with clear objectives and outcomes. (15%)
• Alignment with State of Maine Learning Results for Visual and Performing Arts. (10%)
• Assurance that the project will include certified, trained teaching artists and will provide professional development opportunities where appropriate. (10%)

APPLICATION NARRATIVE

1. In two to four sentences, please describe your idea. (638 characters max.)
2. Clearly state the objectives for the idea, and plans for evaluating your success. (1,275 characters max.)
3. Describe your partnership, collaborative planning and the learners that you serve, including underserved students. (1,275 characters max.)
4. How does your proposal align with the State of Maine Learning Results for Visual and Performing Arts and other standards if relevant? (1,275 characters max.)
5. Who are the professional teachers and teaching artists involved in this project? Summarize their professional experience.(1,275 characters max.)

APPLICATION PACKAGE REQUIREMENTS

A completed application in the Grants Management System (GMS) for the Arts Learning Grant contains:

ONLINE

• Completed answers to all narrative prompts
• Completed project budget
• Most recently completed Form 990 (for organizations only)
• Resumes, bios, or curriculum vitae for all key personnel. Include resumes for all teaching artists
• One to three letters of support from individuals or representatives of organizations or schools who can speak to their anticipated benefit from the project
• Lesson Plan/Unit showing learning outcomes and assessment tools

To read all of the details please go to https://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Grants/artslearning.

If you have any questions please contact Argy Nestor, Director of Arts Education, Maine Arts Commission at argy.nestor@maine.gov.