Grant size: Up to $1,000
Application deadline: January 15
General Information
Recognizing the important role the arts can play in a school's curriculum, the donors established this fund to encourage teachers in grades three through five to work with professional artists to bring the arts into the classroom and, in addition, to integrate a variety of art forms into the standard curriculum.
The fund challenges classroom teachers to explore innovative approaches to meet the following basic guidelines:
- The artist(s) work(s) with the all the students in the grade(s) participating in the project
- The artist(s) works with all the participating teachers to explore the integration of the arts into the standard curriculum
- If agreed upon by the artist and teachers, other interested faculty may also participate
Each year the fund will award five grants, up to a maximum of $1,000 each. The application process involves a simple two-page project proposal, which addresses the following:
- anticipated benefits
- timeline and milestones
- possible barriers
- a use-of-funds budget
To further simplify the process, application submission and much of the communication are done by e-mail.
Grant Guidelines
Teachers will work with professional artists from the visual and/or performing arts, including but not limited to film, video, and other media, theater arts, music, dance, and creative writing.
Together, the teacher and artist(s) will design a program in which teachers and students will learn through participating in the art form. The artist(s) will also work with the teachers to develop a curriculum that will incorporate the arts in a meaningful way, helping the school to meet the Maine Learning Results.
Eligibility Requirements
- All public school teachers of grades 3 through 5, in Washington County in even years and in Penobscot County in odd years, are eligible for consideration.
- Although not required, teachers of the three grades are encouraged to work collaboratively to present one project, and elementary schools with low enrollments (100 or fewer students) are encouraged to present one project for the school.
- If there is an arts teacher in the relative field involved, that teacher should participate in the design and implementation of the project.
- At least 75 percent of the funds awarded should be budgeted to artist's fees.
Project Evaluation
All grant recipients will be required to submit a Project Evaluation Report upon completion of the project. The evaluation will describe how students and teachers have learned from the project, how the arts have been integrated into the curriculum, and how the project has helped the school further the Maine Learning Results.
How To Apply
Download the grant application above and fill it out. Applications for grants should be e-mailed to pcleghorn@mainecf.org or faxed to (207) 773-8832.
When To Apply
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. January 15. Awards will be announced in early February.
All applicants will receive notice upon receipt of the application and of the committee's final decisions.
Contact
If you have questions or would like to discuss an idea before submitting a proposal, please contact Pam Cleghorn via e-mail or by phone at (877) 700-6800.