AccessArts Grant Program

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

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

Required Documents for Download

• Grant Application Form
• Final Report Form
• Media Release Form (English)
• Media Release Form (Spanish)