What kind of grants does ArtsTeach fund?

There are two grant categories:      Curriculum Connections               Education In the Arts

• Curriculum Connections grants link the arts to core curriculum. For example, an English teacher may write a grant proposal for an artist to teach writing through the use of drama. The desired outcome of this type of grant is that students fulfill North Carolina Standard Course Of Study (NC SCS) goals from both the core and arts class curriculums.
• Education in the Arts grants develop understanding and skills in music, dance, theatre and visual art. For example, a music teacher may write a proposal to bring in a master artist to work with students on an original composition. Proposals in this category should align with the NC SCS for the arts discipline.

All program proposals must be targeted to serve Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) or public charter school students (Grades Pre-K through 12) within Mecklenburg County. Programs are to be curriculum-based, and the majority of the proposed program must take place during the academic day. After school clubs or programs will not be considered for funding.

Who can apply?

• Any public school within Mecklenburg County, including charter schools certified by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
• Any CMS Learning Community
• Any ASC affiliate organization
• Any arts or cultural organization that holds active 501(c) (3) status

Who is not eligible to apply?

• Private schools
• After-school programs
• Extra-curricular programs
• Recreational clubs
• Non-profit umbrella service organizations
• For-profit companies and organizations

How much may an applicant request?

• Individual schools may apply for funding up to $10,000.
• Organizations may apply for funding up to $10,000 for one school, $15,000 for two schools and $20,000 for three or more schools.
• Learning Communities may apply for up to $20,000 for three or more schools.
  

How many grants may a school receive?

• No more than one grant application per elementary or middle school will be recommended for funding.
• No more than two grant applications per high school will be recommended for funding.

These restrictions apply regardless of whether the school or the cultural organization is the lead applicant.

What is the procedure for applying for a grant?

The grant application can be accessed online, usually in February. A letter of intent must be filed with ArtsTeach and the final application is generally due by the end of April.

This year:

• The application will be online February 4th
• The Letter of Intent is due March 14th
• The application is due no later than 5:00 PM on April 25th.

I have never applied for any kind of grant before. Can ArtsTeach help me?

ArtsTeach has a series of workshops designed to support applicants. (Please see the schedule below.) Additionally, Grants Coordinator, Hope Johnston will be happy to meet with you to assist in the writing process. Applicants are encouraged to send in a rough draft before April 10th for review and feedback.

Information workshops are held each spring, and are designed to give applicants an overview of the grant application process and answer any questions. This year’s workshops will take place at four CMS Learning Communities. You DO NOT have to be a school that is assigned to that Learning Community to attend. Artists and arts organizations are also welcome.

Below are important dates to remember for the 2008-2009 grants cycle:

What should be included in the budget?

ArtsTeach funds may be used to support costs that are deemed critical to the program (and not already a part of the school, Learning Community or art organization budgets). Applicants will need to submit a detailed budget in addition to the form supplied.

The following lists types of costs that have been accepted in the past:

• Provider fees for delivery of the program by an organization and/or teaching artist(s), including planning time and travel
• Other contracted services
• Disposable or consumable materials/artistic supplies, such as costumes, paints, printing, copying, etc.
• Costs associated with professional development, student assessment, program evaluation and documentation of funded programs
• Other expenses such as equipment and space rental, technical labor, accessibility expenses such as interpreters, audio describers, Braille editions or other language editions

Budget non-allowances - ArtsTeach funds may not be used to support the following; however, these costs may be considered in-kind or cash contributions from the participating schools, Learning Communities or organizations:

• Administrative costs for schools, Learning Communities or cultural organizations
• Teacher planning time
• Capital costs, equipment purchases, construction of fixed, stationary facilities, e.g. kilns, workrooms, major remodeling projects
• Ticket subsidies
• Substitute teacher expense
• Student transportation
• Rehearsals not directly involving or impacting students

For information on past programs, please click here