Application Deadline Approaching for State Board of Education Arts Ed Grant

Springfield - On April 10, 2006 the Illinois State Board of Education announced a new grant program to assist districts with engaging in a planning process to develop new or strengthen existing arts education and foreign language curricula. The annual grants will range from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on the size of district, the scope of the program, and the level of planning required. The application deadline is May 25, 2006.

Only Districts are eligible to apply for this grant. However, School Districts are being encouraged to work with a community-based planning committee (including parents, educators, arts organizations, teaching artists, school administrators, etc.) to develop programs.

Districts seeking these funds must demonstrate need and plans for continued implementation in future years with local funds. Funding in subsequent years will be contingent upon a sufficient appropriation for the program and satisfactory progress in the preceding grant period. The Illinois Arts Alliance and Illinois Creates, a statewide arts education coalition, are advocating for a $5 million appropriation for arts education in the FY07 budget.

Click here to download the Arts Education/Foreign Language RFP and Forms: http://www.isbe.net/grants/html/RFP.htm. For a list of District Arts Education Planning Resources, including example plans from school districts in other states, go to http://artsalliance.org/ed_resources.shtml#district.