Arts Education Funding and Scholarship Opportunities

Individual Awards and Scholarships in Arts Education
 
Funding and Resources for Classroom-based Arts Projects
 
VSA Arts: Arte Postale: An International Visual Arts and Writing Exchange
Arte Postale is an inclusive international visual arts exchange program designed for classroom students with and without disabilities. Students learn to express themselves in artistic ways through this inclusive approach to visual art in the classroom. Their creativity and views of the world develop as their imagination travels to remote lands and they discover the richness of other cultures. Students ages 7-14 with or without disabilities and teachers with all levels of visual arts experience. Teachers receive a guide containing four lessons that include visual and language arts activities surrounding a theme. The activities in the following lessons are designed to encourage thoughtful reflection in the lives and culture of the students. For more information click here. Deadline: June 25, 2010
 
VSA Arts: Sound Ricochet: An International Music and Writing Exchange
Sound Ricochet is an inclusive international music exchange program designed for students with and without disabilities. Students study and use music to reflect on their traditions and communicate with others about their culture. Each classroom creates and submits a video of their music to exchange with other participating classrooms. Sound Ricochet is intended for students ages 8-14 and for teachers with all levels of musical experience. Teachers receive a teacher guide that provides four lessons, each with two activities, a literacy connection, and an extension for music teachers. One activity from each of the following lessons will be recorded and submitted through a video. For more information click here. Deadline: June 25, 2010
 
Funding and Resources for School-wide Arts Needs
 
National Education Association Foundation Learning & Leadership Grants
Learning and Leadership Grants provide opportunities for teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff to engage in high-quality professional development and lead their colleagues in professional growth. The grant amount is $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups engaged in collegial study. All professional development must improve practice, curriculum, and student achievement. "One-shot" professional growth experiences, such as attending a national conference or engaging a professional speaker, are discouraged. Decisions regarding the content of the professional growth activities must be based upon an assessment of student work undertaken with colleagues, and must be integrated into the institutional planning process. Grant funds may be used for fees, travel expenses, books, or other materials that enable applicants to learn subject matter, instructional approaches, and skills. Recipients are expected to exercise professional leadership by sharing their new learning with their colleagues. For more information click here. Deadline: June 1, 2010 
 
Target Field Trip Grants
This year, the Target Field Trip Grants program is providing more than 470,000 students with the opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences at thousands of unique destinations.  Since the program's inception, Target has awarded $9.8 million in grants, providing 1.2 million students in all 50 states the opportunity to experience learning outside the classroom. For more information click here. Registration opens: August 1, 2010
 
The Mockingbird Foundation, Inc. 
The Mockingbird Foundation offers competitive grants to schools and nonprofit organizations that effect improvements in music education for children. Mockingbird is particularly interested in projects that encourage and foster creative expression in any musical form (including composition, instrumentation, vocalization, or improvisation), and is particularly interested in projects that foster self-esteem and free expression. Funds can include the provision of instruments, texts, and office materials, and the support of learning space, practice space, performance space, and instructors/instruction. Letter of Inquiry Deadlines: To be announced. Check web site for more information.
 
The Fender Music Foundation
The Fender Music Foundation accepts electronic grant applications throughout the year from 501(c)3 or governmental organizations. Qualifying applicants are established, ongoing and sustainable music programs in the United States, which provide music instruction for people of any age who would not otherwise have the opportunity to make music. The intent of the program must be music instruction, not music appreciation or entertainment, and the participants/students cannot be professional or career musicians. Almost all of the selected programs include in-school music classes, in which the students make music; after-school music programs that are not run by the school; and music therapy programs, in which the participants make the music.For more information click
here. Deadline: Ongoing
 
Classics for Kids Foundation
Classics for Kids Foundation helps bring new, exceptionally fine stringed instruments and mentoring with world-renowned musicians to children while strengthening local community support for music education. Matching grants are open to new and established music programs nationally that serve children grades 3 through 12. Matching instrument grants typically range from $5,000-$40,000. Complete guidelines and applications can be found here. Deadline: Ongoing
 
Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation  
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation (MHOF) was inspired by the acclaimed motion picture Mr. Holland's Opus, the story of the profound effect a dedicated music teacher had on generations of students. MHOF donates instruments to music programs where students have access to a music curriculum but lack the resources and support base to adequately keep up with equipment loss due to attrition, depreciation and wear over time. An infusion of instruments and repairs enables more students to participate and experience a quality music education. Three types of grants are available for K-12 school instrumental music programs with financial need that take place during the school day; after-school music programs; and outstanding student musicians enrolled in grades 8-12 who cannot afford an appropriate instrument. For more information click here. Pre-Qualification Application Deadline: Ongoing