OAC Expanded Arts Education Grants for Schools

The OAC Expanded Arts Education Grants for Schools support arts education programs in Oklahoma that occur outside regular school hours. Schools can apply for up to $2,500 annually with a 10% cash match. These grants enhance academic performance, increase student engagement, and promote civic involvement. Arts education fosters creativity and critical thinking, benefiting students in various subjects. The program encourages sequential, hands-on learning led by qualified educators to provide meaningful arts experiences for students.

Note: Application Deadline is 60 days before your project begins.
Schools across Oklahoma can apply for Expanded Arts Education Grants for eligible arts education programs that take place outside of the school day. Individual schools can apply for one grant up to $2,500 per school year with a 10 percent cash match. Arts education plays an important role in improving academic performance. 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 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
Support hands-on, sequential arts learning with teaching artists that takes place outside of school hoursExpand arts access (dance, drama, literary arts, media arts, music, and/or visual arts) to more Oklahoma studentsCreate more opportunities for Oklahoma students to meaningfully engage with the arts