Arts in Education Sustaining Project Grant Program (US)

This grant funds efforts to sustain, deepen, and grow arts learning opportunities for PreK-12 students.

Funding Information

• Applicants may apply for a minimum of $15,000 and a maximum of $30,000, distributed over two years. Final award amounts are determined by panel scores and funding priorities.
• No matching funds required.
• Grant amounts may vary depending on available funds and number of applications received.

Eligible Expenses

• Many costs that support the approved AIE projects can be covered. Common project expenses 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
  • Stipends for youth participation and leadership
  • 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 Award Amount for Sustaining Project Grants
    • 25% of your Grant Award Amount ($2,500) for Creative Start Project Grants
  • 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.

Ineligible Expenses

• What they cannot fund:
  • Materials and equipment exceeding 25% of your overall project budget
  • One-time events, assemblies, performances, or projects that do not include sequential learning opportunities, curriculum and related learning outcomes
  • Hospitality expenses such as food, flowers, receptions, and similar items
  • Food and beverages are allowable if they are purchased in support of learning goals outlined in project
  • Building construction, renovation, event rental equipment such as tents and other temporary structures, or other permanent capital projects
  • Stand-alone field trips, events, or assemblies not aligned with project goals
  • Travel out of the state of Washington, or fees to out-of-state contractors.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be one of the following:
  • Public school or school district
  • Tribal, state, or municipal government agency
  • 501(c)(3) non-profit
• Applicants must also:
  • Demonstrate a minimum of three years of arts education programming.
  • Be located in Washington State.
  • Propose projects that increase access to arts learning for PreK-12 students in Washington State.
  • Propose projects that provide tuition-free learning for all participating students.
  • Propose projects that provide sequential, interactive learning experiences (not one-time events).

Ineligibility Criteria

• Individuals
• For-profit organizations
• Fiscally sponsored organizations
• Political or advocacy organizations
• Organizations seeking to fund projects that promote religious content or observance
• Organizations based outside of Washington State.

For more information, visit Arts WA.