NCAC: Traditional Arts Program for Students (TAPS) Grant

NCAC: Traditional Arts Program for Students (TAPS) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: North Carolina Arts Council
Amount: More than US $5,000
Last Updated: October 01, 2025

Summary

The North Carolina Arts Council's Traditional Arts Program for Students (TAPS) connects students with local traditional artists through after-school programs. Since 1967, TAPS has aimed to preserve and celebrate diverse artistic traditions across North Carolina, providing funding for community organizations such as arts councils and schools. These programs foster cultural connections while ensuring that students receive quality instruction in traditional art forms, enriching their educational experience and community engagement.

Overview

NOTE: TAPS applications are by invitation only. Interested organizations should contact Folklife Program Director. Mission Founded in 1967 with the democratic vision of “arts for all citizens,” the North Carolina Arts Council sustains and grows the arts for the benefit of North Carolinians and their communities. The North Carolina Arts Council strives to deliver resources for arts development to all 100 counties of the state through programs that are fair, transparent and accountable. The Arts Council is an agency of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. A 24-member citizen board, appointed by the Governor, advises the Secretary of the Department on policies, programs, and research that supports arts development across North Carolina. Traditional Arts Program for Students (TAPS) This program provides community organizations (arts councils, schools, community centers) with funding for after-school programs that connect North Carolina students with local traditional artists.  Students receive instruction in an art form that has deep cultural roots in their community, taught by experts utilizing traditional instructional techniques. Local county arts councils have often taken the lead in sponsoring TAPS programs. North Carolina communities have always fostered shared artistic traditions. Indigenous arts such as carving, basket making and storytelling have characterized N.C. Indian communities for thousands of years. Five hundred years of immigration has introduced numerous traditional arts that distinguish communities of European, African and Asian descent. New traditional arts develop as communities interact and adapt to each other. The N.C. Arts Council supports the continued performance, transmission and appreciation of traditional arts throughout the state. TAPS programs in mountain counties often call themselves JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians). JAM programs offer weekly instruction in banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin taught by regional traditional musicians. Each program serves from 20 to 60 students. JAM students frequently perform at community venues and are often invited to compete at fiddlers’ conventions. JAM programs are affiliates of JAMKids.org. Other current TAPS programs include instruction in Seagrove’s famous pottery traditions, the ethnic arts practiced by the Haliwa-Saponi and the Lumbee Indian tribes, and the arts of the urban immigrant Korean population. Eastern N.C.’s Lenoir County hosts a jazz and funk TAPS program that utilizes instructors documented through the N.C. Arts Council’s African American Music Heritage Trails project. All TAPS programs must meet basic requirements. Each program is expected to set yearly goals in the areas of program development, evaluation, local support, community connections, professional development and public communication. Successful TAPS programs take place in communities that identify strong local arts traditions. Community organizations must receive an invitation to submit an application for a TAPS program.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To be eligible for Arts Council funding, organizations: Arts CouncilsSchoolsCommunity CentersArts Council grant funds support qualified TAPS instructors and can be used for supplies such as musical instruments and art materials. Grant funds may contribute to transportation costs, entrance fees and administration. All TAPS programs must fulfill he following requirements: Matching funds: TAPS applicants must provide a 1:2 cash match, or 50% of the grant amount. If a county receives a Tier 1 designation by the NC Department of Commerce, matching funds are not required, although applicants are encouraged to list what matching funds they can provide as county tiers may change year to year. (See current tier designations). Artist compensation: Teaching artists should receive payment of at least $30.00 to $40.00 per hour. Teaching artists should have at least one hour paid preparation time a semester. Teaching assistants should receive payment of at least $15.00 to $20.00 per hour. TAPS funds may only be used to pay teachers who are over 18 years of age, but payments for student teachers may be counted towards the match. Classes: Classes should meet on a weekly basis for at least 30 hours throughout the year. TAPS programs may choose to meet as many times per week as suits their class structure, and are encouraged to discuss scheduling options with Arts Council staff as needed. The minimum 30 hours may also be met with rehearsal and performance time in addition to class time.Enrollment: TAPS programs must account for costs per pupil. TAPS programs should maintain a minimum of 20 students. Enrollment development is an on-going goal of all TAPS programs. Programs should create plans to recruit and retain students and maintain a demonstrable growth rate. If a program does not enroll the minimum number at the beginning of the Fall semester, that program is considered to be on probation for the grant year. If enrollment during the year meets and/or exceeds the minimum enrollment, probation is lifted. If a program on probation fails to meet the minimum enrollment for the following Fall semester, the program will not be able to remain a TAPS program for that grant year.Age appropriateness: Programs may accommodate students aged 8 to 18. Programs should limit the age range during their first few years, adding older students as demand grows. Programs wishing to vary this approach should first contact the North Carolina Arts Council. In some cases, intergenerational participation may be appropriate. Programs wishing to include adult participants should first contact the North Carolina Arts Council.Faculty: TAPS programs hire local traditional artists trained within a vernacular tradition by and with other local artists. Previous teaching experience is recommended, but not required. For JAM programs, non-local musicians who have studied the vernacular traditions of the region and have worked within vernacular styles with local musicians may qualify as JAM instructors.Program manager: A program manager should be assigned to the program to take responsibility for administration. Administrative costs, including the program manager’s fee, that are paid with N.C. Arts Council funds cannot exceed 25% of the grant award. The program manager’s fee can be supplemented from other funding sources. Program managers may be employees of the host organization or may be hired on. Some programs find that the most effective managers are also instructors in their TAPS program. Supervision: Students must be supervised at all times. An instructor or program manager needs to be on hand until each child has been picked up by a listed caregiver.Parent communication: Program goals, rules of conduct, details of supervision and transportation requirements are communicated to parents. Behavioral agreements should be in place that detail behavioral expectations and consequences for misbehavior. Signed permission forms for photographs and video documentation should also be on file. Student participation depends upon signed parental consent.Basic curriculum goals: For counties with string band instrument programs: Master and accomplished musicians from western North Carolina consistently emphasize the importance of playing by ear and learning to play with others in ensembles and jam sessions. Arts Council staff recommends that TAPS/JAM programs focus on these two skills. Non-string band instrument programs will develop their curriculum goals in consultation with Arts Council staff.Performance and/or display opportunities: Students should be provided with opportunities to demonstrate their acquired skills and knowledge to school, family and community audiences through recitals, school assemblies, public performances, demonstrations and exhibits.Evaluation: Program managers should meet regularly with instructors to discuss program management. Each program develops student learning assessments as well as goals and strategies. Programs will also track audience attendance at recitals, concerts, exhibits and other performance and display venues. Final reports are submitted to the NC Arts Council by deadline as noted in the contract.

Ineligibility

Grant funds may not be used for the following expenditures unless otherwise noted in the grant guidelines:Deficit reductionCapital expendituresContingency fundsFood or beverages for hospitality or entertainment functionsFundraising eventsArt sales events and auctionsInterest on loans, fines, or litigation costsLobbying expensesTuition for academic studyIndirect Costs