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Students participating in a previouse Arts in Alternative Education program

Arts in Alternative Education

Students who attend alternative education schools often require specific educational interventions. Artists in residence can help these students build new skills and develop healthy methods of creative self-expression through classes like creative writing, painting, photography, music, and theatre while allowing them to complete a Fine Arts credit—a requirement for high school completion. Previous participating schools report that artist-in-residence visits result in increased attendance and higher graduation rates, among other positive student outcomes.

Arts education can play an important role in improving academic performance in Oklahoma. Studies show that students who have four years of high school arts education score higher on college entrance exams than students with little or no arts education. Arts education often improves performance in math and science, increases school attendance, promotes civic engagement, and decreases anti-social behavior. In addition, arts education supports the development of the whole child, builds skills, and offers students positive methods of creative self-expression.

Students receive the most benefit when they receive an arts education that is:

 

Program Objectives

 

Overview

Project Actvity Dates
August 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 (Grant Period FY2023)

Grant Amount
Each school site is eligible to receive up to two $5,000 grants per school year.
Match requirement: 5%. Matching funds may not be other Oklahoma Arts Council funds.

Application Opens
August 15, 2022

Application Deadline
60 days before the project begins

Who Can Apply?

Schools identified by the Oklahoma State Department of Education as Alternative Education school sites

What Types of Projects Can Be Supported?

Learning-based arts projects for students in alternative education schools, including in-school classes, residencies, and where each student receives six or more hours of hands-on arts engagement.

What Expenses Are Allowable?

Funding from the Arts in Alternative Education Grant can be used to reimburse expenses such as teaching artist fees, select teaching artist travel expenses, contracted administration or technical fees, and consumable supplies. For more examples of allowable expenses and unallowable expenses, see the program guidelines.

Grant Process

  1. Request access to the grant system (for new schools only)

  2. Submit an application

  3. Application is reviewed by Oklahoma Arts Council

  4. Award notification (if the project is selected for funding)

  5. Accept grant contract

  6. Project activity occurs

  7. Submit a final report

  8. Grant payment is processed

 

Documents and Links

Grant Program Guidelines
General Grant Terms and Conditions
Grant System Login

How to Apply

Step 1: If your school has not applied for an Oklahoma Arts Council grant in the past three years, you will need to request access to the grant system. Once you have access, you can log in and apply for a grant. If you have questions about logging in, please contact our grants office at 405-521-2040 or grants@arts.ok.gov. 

Step 2: Once your school has access to the grant system, your organization’s Grant Contact can log on and complete an application. Submit the application at least 60 days before the start date of your project. 

Who to Contact for Help

For questions about this grant program, contact Jennifer Allen-Barron, Arts Education Director, at jennifer.allen-barron@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2036.

For questions about grant system access, contact the Grants Office, at grants@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2040.

For questions about managing your grant award, contact Thomas Tran, Grants Director, at thomas.tran@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2041.

Visit the Grant Login page to login or learn how to apply for a grant.