Schools may now apply for the Arkansas Arts Council's Arts in Education Assistance Fund for Teachers. It supports professional development activities that will enable regular K-12 classroom teachers and arts specialists to broaden teaching skills and bring the vitality of the arts to learning situations by enriching their own arts experiences. Regular classroom teachers must be interested in using the arts as a teaching strategy for core curriculum. Arts specialists must be currently teaching one or more of the following subjects: creative writing, dance, design arts, folk arts, media arts, music, theatre/drama, or visual arts.
Applicant schools may request up to $1000, with a minimum request of $100. The amount of the request must have at least a one-to-one cash match, and must be for first-time activities. Preference will be given to applicants who have never received Arkansas Arts Council funds, but this should not deter a school from applying.
There are two categories of funding:
(1) Professional Development funds may be requested for first-time participation in such arts related activities as conferences, workshops, specific trainings, visits to model sites, showcases or seminars.
(2) Technical Assistance for first-time help with a teacher's own artistic activities such as materials needed to produce an art work or a performance, or, for first-time assistance to help the teacher produce student art work or performances. The proposed technical assistance must occur within a specified time frame and must demonstrate a clear benefit to the teacher's skills and career in Arkansas.
While the application deadline is on-going, the Arts Council should receive completed applications at least four (4) weeks before the date of the activity to allow adequate time for processing. To request an application, please contact Cynthia Haas, Arts in Education program manager at 501-324-9769 or cynthia@arkansasheritage.org.