Vermont Arts Council: Artists in Schools Grant

The Vermont Arts Council's Artists in Schools Grant supports multi-day arts experiences in schools, promoting collaboration between students and Vermont teaching artists. Eligible schools and arts organizations can apply for funding for projects that enhance arts education for preK-12 students. Projects should focus on creativity, equity, and access in the arts, while fostering community connections.

NOTE : Funds are to be used for activities that begin after September 1, 2025, and end by August 31, 2026. The application will open on June 1, and applications will be reviewed internally at the end of each month.
Applications must be submitted on or before July 28 to be considered in the first review process. As funds are available, applications will be pulled for review on August 26 and September 23.
Applications will be reviewed, and awards will be made accordingly until the funding is exhausted. Applications must be submitted no later than one month before the start of the activity.
Artists in Schools Grants
Artists in Schools Grants support quality, multiday arts experiences in schools with Vermont teaching artists in residence and encourage collaborations between schools, youth, artists, and arts organizations. Residencies may take place during the school day or in a sequential, after-school setting. Grant funding supports multi-day projects typically between 3-10 days in length and support preK-12 teachers and students within a given school or district.
Artists on the Council’s Teaching Artist Roster meet standards of artistic excellence, have teaching experience, and have experience planning collaboratively. Eligible schools and arts organizations may apply for support of projects led by teaching artists not on the roster. Priority is given to projects led by Vermont artists and projects that support the council’s priority areas. Teaching artist fees vary from artist to artist; grant funds may not cover the entire cost of the proposed project.
Arts and arts-integrated projects provide experiential learning opportunities that offer many benefits, including helping students create and express ideas, fostering connections within the school and the broader community, supporting students around targeted proficiencies or personal goals, building student confidence, building connections with the arts and artistic processes, and encouraging reflection.
Examples of fundable projects include:
A math teacher works with a dancer to integrate kinesthetic learning into the classroom. Students learn about dance concepts and use them to talk about geometric shapes and spatial relationships.
An English teacher works with a poet or playwright to mentor students and provide opportunities for them to develop and workshop their writing.
A music teacher works with a professional composer to help students compose and perform original works of music.
A physical education teacher works with a circus artist to integrate movement, performance, and social emotional objectives into the curriculum.
Students work with a theater artist to explore theater concepts and to write and perform a short play focusing on key themes such as collaboration, empathy, or flexible thinking.
Students work with a visual artist and classroom teacher to research and document the story of place through multiple perspectives in their community through an exhibit or mural.
Students work with a musician to explore musical concepts and to compare or contrast cultures through drumming or music.

Eligibility

Who May ApplySchools or school districts recognized by the Vermont Department of Education. This includes public schools, union schools, independent schools, Career and Technical Education programs, or Adult Education programs serving students in grades preK-12
Non-profit arts organizations registered in Vermont with a documented school/district partnership and a plan for ensuring access to students regardless of race, ability, income, or gender identity through collaborationEligible project costs include:teaching artist instruction or student contact time
other time contributed by the teaching artist. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, planning time, development of content, and/or time for assembling culminating projects or performances

Ineligibility

Who May Not ApplyApplicants that have already received an Artists in Schools Grant for the same school year
Applicants applying for the same project with the same teaching artist more than two years in a row
Applicants that have incomplete reports for any Vermont Arts Council grant program
Applicants that receive operating support through Vermont Arts Council’s Arts Operating Grant in the same year