Small Grant Support for Schools Guidelines

Purpose of Small Grant Support for Schools Program
The purpose of the Small Grant Support for Schools program is to encourage schools to bring the arts into their classrooms. The Small Grant Support for Schools allows schools to apply for funds directly from the Council and does not require them to apply through their district. This grant also requires schools to match only 25% of the total requested amount.

Deadline
Sept. 15 – applies to projects for the current school year
March 1 – applies to projects funded after March 1 to end of current school year
May 1 - applies to projects for the following fiscal year

Who is eligible for the program?
The Oklahoma Arts Council supports quality arts education for all K-12 students in every Oklahoma public and private, non-religious school. Applications for the Small Grant Support for Schools are accepted from any individual school site.

What can be funded?

Arts programming involving disciplines such as dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater, visual and traditional arts
Costs associated with providing arts instruction and experience in the arts, including artists, arts educators, consultants, or other arts resources
Teaching resource materials

What cannot be funded?

Capital improvements, including landscaping
Equipment, including computers, software, cameras and/or arts related hardware
Entertainment costs, such as food or beverages
Awards such as ribbons, trophies, plaques, etc.
Travel for students including fieldtrips
Deficits and debts incurred from past activities
Fund raisers or fund raising expenses
Any supplies or project materials not consumed within the time frame and activities of the project
General administrative support, or as a substitution for regularly budgeted funds

Application Limitations

No limit to the number of sites eligible to apply within one school district.
Schools may apply for funds directly from the Oklahoma Arts Council and are not required to apply through their district.
All programs must end by June 30 of the fiscal year in which the application is made.

Funding Limitations

Individual schools are eligible for up to $1500.
Individual schools are eligible for one award per year.
Schools match only 25% of the total requested amount.
Awards are subject to funds available.
OAC will reimburse for expenditures not to exceed the amount awarded, upon receipt of the Final Report. However, costs associated with the grant are the responsibility of the sponsor at the time services are rendered.

Support Materials - Applicants are required to submit the following support materials for the grant application. Support material must be sent hardcopy to OAC and must be POSTMARKED no later than the date of your e-grant submission. Late support material disqualifies the application.

Resume/Bio for each teaching artist working with students
Contract from each teaching artist - List specific Dates, Hours & Rate of Pay
Student learning outcome evaluation tool
Copy of notification letter to district regarding application.

Payment process
To receive reimbursement, a completed final report must be submitted electronically to the Oklahoma Arts Council within 30 days of completion of the project. The payment process cannot begin until the Council receives and approves the final report. Payment will typically follow within six weeks from approval of the final report. All funds must be expended and final reports completed by June 30 of the fiscal year in which the application is made.

The narrative summary of the final report should reference the program goals as indicated in the original application (learning objectives, student application, retention, production and evaluation). Funds may not be carried over to the next fiscal year.