How much funding does AccessArts Grant Program provide?

AccessArts Grant Program provides $500 - $9,999 in funding.

When is the deadline for AccessArts Grant Program?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

AccessArts Grant Program

THOUSAND OAKS ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS

Foundation Rolling (Quarterly) Grants for K-12 Schools Grants for Arts Music Education Grants Grants for Teachers

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Funding Amount

$500 - $9,999

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

AccessArts Grant Program

Funder: Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts (TOArts)

Geographic Scope: Public elementary schools in Ventura County, and the cities of Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, and Oak Park (Los Angeles County)

Focus Areas: Arts education projects for K-5 students, including:

Classroom activities

Teacher innovation and professional development

Arts education infrastructure investments

Funding Source: TOLD Foundation (2025-2026 school year)

Award Amount: $500 - $9,999 (grants over $10,000 require additional detail and prior discussion with funder)

Mission: AccessArts provides funding to local elementary schools to fund arts education projects. Arts education plays a vital role in student achievement, equitable education outcomes and community success.

Eligibility

Who Can Apply:

Credentialed classroom teachers

School principals

District representatives

For public elementary schools only in Ventura County and the cities of Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, and Oak Park

Project Requirements

Projects MUST meet ALL of the following criteria:

Curriculum-based with direct connection to student learning

Aligned with California Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Standards

Fulfill a need or gap in arts education

Occur during class time in a standard school day

Utilize grant funds within one year (Arts Education Investment applications can be multi-year)

Include an evaluation and documentation component

Priorities for Funding

Project Types:

1. Classroom Activity – Funding for arts education projects implemented within current school year
- Curriculum purchases
- Teaching artist expenses
- Lesson supplies
- Remote arts education costs

2. Teacher Innovation – Costs associated with teacher innovation
- Professional development opportunities
- Collaborations
- Integrating arts education learning standards with other subject areas
- Creating new teaching approaches

3. Arts Education Investment – Longer-term investments in arts education infrastructure
- Equipment purchases
- Facility renovations or upgrades
- Curriculum development
- Seed money for arts education staffing

Preferential Review Criteria – Projects that meet ANY of the following receive preferential review:

Integrate the arts into other core general education subjects (Math, English, etc.) with specific learning outcomes

Address equity and access issues for particular types of students or diverse groups

Are sustainable or provide sequential learning for students

Support professional development for teachers

Have other income sources identified or secured (school budget, PTA/Booster funds, donor gifts)

What They Do NOT Fund

Extracurricular activities
Transportation costs
AccessArts grants should not replace other sources of arts education funding

Review Timeline

Application Review: Within 60 days of receipt
Funding Disbursement: Within 45 days after applicants are notified
Project Completion: One year from funding (Arts Education Investment can be multi-year)
Final Report Due: Within 60 days after project completion

Contact Information

For questions: niki@toarts.org (reference "AccessArts Grants" in subject line)

For grants over $10,000: Contact Niki@TOArts.org to discuss

How to Apply

Application Process

1. Complete and Submit Application Form
- Application Information section
- Budget section (only required for Arts Infrastructure Investment projects)
- Evaluation/Documentation section
- Required Signatures:
- Single-site projects: Must be signed by school principal
- Multi-site or district-wide projects: Must be signed by District Superintendent or designee
- All facility-related projects: Must be signed by District Director of Facilities

2. Upload Additional Documentation (Failure to complete results in ineligibility for future funds)
- Samples of assessment tools (rubric, survey, matrix, grade, etc.) used to determine student evaluations
- Letters of support from other funding partners
- Approved meeting minutes acknowledging matching funds from Booster or PTA units

3. Application Review
- Grant applications reviewed and evaluated by TOArts Board committee
- Applicants notified of outcome within 60 days of submission

4. Fund Disbursement
- Funding disbursed within 45 days after notification
- Checks made payable to school site or School District only
- Checks CANNOT be made payable to: individual teachers, parents, artists, partner organizations, PTA or Booster units

Final Report Requirements

All grantees must submit a Final Report after project completion

Report must include:

1. Reflection Form

2. Final Budget

3. Evaluation Materials
- Assessment tool used (rubric, survey, matrix, observation, grade, etc.)
- Specific story from/about a student
- Minimum of 3 testimonials from students, parents, or classroom teachers

4. Documentation
- Photographs/videos of students engaged in art-making process OR images of final works/projects
- Signed media release forms (available for download on website)
- Related program materials (newsletters, website pages, eBlasts, promotional flyers, invitations, electronic announcements) displaying TOArts logo and URL www.toarts.org with acknowledgment: "This project was made possible with funding from TOArts AccessArts"

5. Permanent Plaque (for Arts Education Investment Grants)
- May require installation of permanent plaque (7" x 3") to be affixed in/near investment
- Provided by TOArts and can be affixed without structural changes