National Endowment for the Arts  
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ARTS EDUCATION

The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to providing leadership in arts education. The arts are an essential component of education, and all children, not only those with specific artistic talent, benefit from an education in the arts including opportunities to create, perform, and communicate through various artistic media.

Today, the Arts Endowment's focus is on identifying and supporting model programs and projects that provide in-depth knowledge, skills, and understanding of the arts to children and youth in schools and communities. Research strongly suggests that young people who learn about and participate in the arts acquire skills that help them in decision making, problem solving, creative thinking, and teamwork. An increasing number of studies also find that arts programs motivate children to learn, assisting in improving performance in core academic subjects. For some children, the arts provide the impetus to stay in school until graduation and, for others, the inspiration to pursue college education. Arts education programs will continue to play a pivotal role as the nation struggles to improve high school graduation rates, develop pre-kindergarten programs, and counter the achievement gap in urban communities.


Funding Opportunities in Arts Education

Grants for Arts Projects
CFDA No. 45.024

The National Endowment for the Arts' primary funding opportunities for organizations. (Multiple deadlines)

An organization may submit only one application through one of the following FY 2011 Grants for Arts Projects categories (see "Application Limits" for the few exceptions to this rule). For most organizations, these categories represent the full range of funding options for the entire year. Applicants should examine the goal and purposes of their project as well as the review criteria of these three categories, and apply to the one category that is most relevant. The Arts Endowment will not transfer applications between categories.

Organizations may apply through one of the following categories:

  • Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth

    June 10, 2010, Application Deadline

    To advance arts education for children and youth in school-based or community-based settings. This category supports in-depth, curriculum-based arts education experiences that occur over an extended period. Projects must provide participatory learning and engage students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art. All projects must include the following components: 1) the opportunity for students and their teachers to experience exemplary works of art, in live form wherever possible; 2) study of the art experienced including the acquisition of skills for practicing the art form where appropriate; 3) the performance/making of art within the discipline(s) studied; and 4) assessment of student learning according to national or state arts education standards.

     >> Continue for Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth

  • Access to Artistic Excellence

    March 11 and August 12, 2010, Application Deadlines

    To encourage and support artistic excellence, preserve our cultural heritage, and provide access to the arts for all Americans. This category supports projects that provide short-term arts exposure or arts appreciation for children and youth as well as intergenerational education projects.

    If you wish to apply under Access to Artistic Excellence, click on the discipline that is most appropriate to your project. If you have a project that is multidisciplinary, click on Presenting.

    Artist Communities | Dance | Design | Folk & Traditional Arts
    Literature | Local Arts Agencies | Media Arts | Museums | Music
    Musical Theater | Opera | Presenting | Theater | Visual Arts

    NOTE: If you have questions about whether you should apply under Learning in the Arts or Access to Artistic Excellence, read "Choosing the Right Category for Children and Youth Projects."

  • Challenge America Fast-Track Review Grants

    May 27, 2010, Application Deadline

    For support, primarily to small and mid-sized organizations, of projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. Grants are for $10,000. Funding is not available for curriculum-based instruction in the arts.

    >> Continue for Challenge America Fast-Track

 

Program Solicitation: Creativity and Aging in America: Lifelong Learning in the Arts
CFDA No. 45.024

The purpose of this Program Solicitation is to select an organization (Cooperator) to launch a technical assistance effort designed to advance arts opportunities for older Americans. (Receipt deadline: July 21, 2010)

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The Arts on Radio and Television
CFDA No. 45.024

Supports projects for radio and television arts programs that are intended for national broadcast. Grants generally range from $10,000 to $200,000. (Deadline: September 2, 2010)

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The NEA Mayors' Institute on City Design 25th Anniversary Initiative
CFDA No. 45.024

Since 1986, the Mayors' Institute on City Design (MICD) has helped transform communities through design by preparing mayors to be the chief urban designers of their cities. To build on the momentum created by the MICD over its history, a limited number of grants, ranging from $25,000 to $250,000, will be made to showcase and celebrate the goals of the MICD during its anniversary in 2011. (Deadlines: Statement of Interest Deadline: March 15, 2010; Invitation to Apply Issued: April 8, 2010; Formal Application Deadline: May 10, 2010)

CONTINUE >>

 

Coming Up Taller

Nominate outstanding community arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's young people. (Receipt deadline: January 29, 2010)

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National Endowment for the Arts Education Leaders Institute: Call for State Teams for July 26 - 28, 2010, Chicago, Illinois

The Education Leaders Institute (ELI) supports the design of K-12 education with arts at the core through pioneering thinking and intensive dialogue with national leaders. ELI brings together school leaders, legislators, policy makers, educators, consultants, and scholars to envision a healthy national education environment founded on powerful arts education programs. (Deadline: January 15, 2010)

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Lifecycle of an Application
Guidelines available: Application guidelines are made available on the Arts Endowment's Web site and through Grants.gov
Application submitted: Applications that meet the deadline are assigned an application number. Applicant receives acknowledgment of application receipt. Applications are forwarded to Program staff
Staff review: Staff reviews applications for completeness and eligibility and may contact an applicant for clarification and additional information. Application materials are sent to panelists several weeks before the panel meeting. Work samples may be distributed in advance or may be held for review at the panel
Panel review: The staff reconciles the panel recommendations with available funds and forwards them to the National Council on the Arts, where they are reviewed in open session. The Council makes recommendations on which applications to fund and which applications to reject. Fast-Track Review Grants receive an expedited review. Following panel and staff review, recommendations are forwarded to the Chairman
National Council-Chairman Review: The staff reconciles the panel recommendations with available funds and forwards them to the National Council on the Arts, where they are reviewed in open session. The Council makes recommendations on which applications to fund and which applications to reject. Fast-Track Review Grants receive an expedited review. Following panel and staff review, recommendations are forwarded to the Chairman who makes the final decision on all grant awards.
Notification: A letter is sent to applicants not recommended for funding. Applicants recommended may be contacted first for revisions to the project. Fast-Track Grant applicants will receive a preliminary letter of notification. Grantees later receive an official grant award notification with information about legal and reporting requirements
 
       
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