Who May Apply:
Pre K-12 schools, school systems, and nonprofit arts or community organizations located in rural areas listed below. Applicants in this category may not apply in other AIE categories. This category is not open to new applicants.

Description:
This category provides entry-level support to establish or improve arts in education programs in rural communities. Funding is available to rural schools and organizations to support a three-year approach to program development as follows:

• Planning Year (first year): Participants work closely with a consultant designated by the North Carolina Arts Council to develop a three-year approach for arts in education. Grant amounts of $3,000 are awarded for this planning year and matching funds are not required. All applicants in this category must begin with a planning year grant.
  
  
• Pilot Year (second year): Participants may receive up to $5,000 to pilot the approved new arts in education program. A cash match is required of all applicants except those located in low wealth counties. Activities should include a combination of the following. Please note required activities.
  
  
  • Required: A minimum of one short-term, participatory artist residency of three days (days do not have to be consecutive) that includes at least one core group of students with whom the artist works daily.
  • Performances with extended learning activities, such as participatory workshops, classroom visits, master classes, question/answer sessions, pre and post discussions, etc. Single performances without extended learning activities cannot be funded.
  • Participatory workshops for teachers, arts educators, or families.
  • Additional technical assistance if needed or recommended.
    
    
• Implementation Year (third year): Participants who successfully complete the second year may submit a third year request for up to $7,500. A cash match is required of all applicants except those located in low wealth counties. Activities should include a combination of the following. Please note required activities.
  
  
  • Required: A minimum of one five-day participatory artist residency (days/weeks do not have to be consecutive) that includes at least one core group of students with whom the artist works daily.
  • Required: One short-term, participatory artist residency of three days (days do not have to be consecutive) that includes at least one core group of students with whom the artist works daily.
  • Performances with extended learning activities, such as participatory workshops, classroom visits, master classes, question/answer sessions, pre and post discussions, etc. Single performances without extended learning activities cannot be funded.
  • Participatory workshops for teachers, arts educators, or families.
  • Additional technical assistance if needed or recommended.

Note: All programs must be curriculum-based and arts centered. The Arts Council publishes the North Carolina Touring Artist Directory, a selected listing of North Carolina artists who have experience working in schools and communities.

How We Make Grant Decisions:
Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Potential for long-term impact and benefit to the community and/or school(s).
• Involvement of racially and culturally diverse participants as integral to the project.
• Strength of management of organization or school administration, and resources necessary to carry out the project.

How to Apply

Eligible applicants will receive guidelines and application instructions directly from the Arts in Education Director.