Exposure to the arts, both in and outside the classroom, is proven to improve academic success. However, not all students have the same opportunities to enjoy these benefits. 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. For a limited time, this grant will also include support for arts focused afterschool and camp programs. Grants range from $500 to 5,000. The deadline to apply is June 17, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Application Process

The primary purpose of the Arts for Schools program is to provide in school arts programming for students attending economically disadvantaged schools. Our goal is to help ensure that students across Buncombe County have access to the benefits of these arts experiences.

Thanks to a time limited grant from Dogwood Health Trust’s WNC After 3 program, the Arts for Schools grant program will be expanded from FY25-27. During this period, applicants may apply for funding for in school and out of school programs, but will only receive funding for one focus area per funding cycle. Grants for in school programs range from $500-$2,000, and grants for out of school programs range from $500-$5,000.

In school is defined as programs occurring during regular school hours, and out of school programs are defined as occurring afterschool (weekdays only) or camps (summer or holiday breaks).

Please note: The primary focus of the WNC After 3 program is on afterschool programming, so afterschool programming will receive priority over other out of school programs. We also want to help ensure the longevity of these programs, so capacity building will also be a consideration.

ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS

• 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
• Program must take place between July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. Programs do not need to be scheduled by application date – however, funded programs must take place between July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.
• 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 questions regarding eligibility, please contact [email protected].
• For camps: Only 501c3 nonprofit arts organizations may apply for funding for camps, and the camp must be a program of that arts nonprofit.

ALLOWABLE EXPENSES

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.

Funding may not be used for:

• fees for artists not located in Buncombe County
• fees for school groups not located in Buncombe County
• transportation fees/ travel costs not related to students
• marketing materials; food/ hospitality supplies
• art, music, and dance therapists
• artifacts
• purchasing artwork
• contingency funds
• deficit reduction
• fundraising events
• food or beverages for hospitality or entertainment functions
• school band activities or equipment
• school choral activities or equipment
• lobbying expenses
• oral history and history projects
• tuition for academic study
• interest on loans, fines or litigation cost

Application Link

Apply Now (Question PDF). The deadline to apply is June 17, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Source: ArtsAVL