Arts in Alternative Education Grants
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:
-
Sequential, building skills and knowledge over time
-
Hands-on, allowing students to engage deeply in the creative process
-
Led by educators with both artistic expertise and educational experience
Program Objectives
-
Expand arts access (dance, drama, literary arts, media arts, music, and/or visual arts) to more Oklahoma students
-
Support hands-on, sequential arts learning
-
Offer arts education for students in alternative education school sites that is tailored to meet individual student and site goals and that supports the goals of Oklahoma Alternative Education
-
Allow participating students to complete a Fine Arts credit required for graduation
-
Create more opportunities for Oklahoma students to meaningfully engage with the arts during the school day
Overview
Project Actvity Dates
August 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 (Grant Period FY2026)
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 Deadline
60 days before your project start date
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 (linked below).
Grant Process
-
Schools new to Oklahoma Arts Council grants will need to request access to the Grant System
-
Grant Contact submits application
-
Oklahoma Arts Council reviews application
-
Oklahoma Arts Council sends award notification (if project is selected for funding)
-
Authorizing Official accepts grant contract
-
School’s project activity occurs
-
Grant Contact submits final report
-
Oklahoma Arts Council processes grant payment to school
Documents and Links
Grant Program Guidelines
General Grant Terms and Conditions
Grant System Login
How to Apply
Step 1: Your organization must be verified in the Oklahoma Arts Council grant portal before applying for this grant opportunity. If your organization is new to Oklahoma Arts Council grants, you must create a new account in the Fluxx grant portal and complete the eligibility verification process (which may take up to 15 days to review and process). If you have questions, contact our grants office at grants@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2040.
Step 2: Once your organization is verified, you can start an application from the Apply for Funding page. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on the application deadline date published on the grant program guidelines. If an application deadline falls on a weekend or state holiday, the application will be due by 5:00 p.m. on the next business day. Late submissions are subject to the noncompliance policies as outlined in the General Grant Terms and Conditions.
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.