Small Grant Support Criteria

Arts Education in Schools Review Criteria

Arts Education in Schools supports arts activities or resources above and beyond those typically made available by the school, that develop students’ skills and knowledge in dance, drama, music, visual arts, traditional arts or creative writing, and that are taught by qualified arts instructor.

Projects in this component are characterized by the following:

In-depth instruction in an art form or arts discipline.
Development of aesthetic discernment or judgment.
Cultivation of individual creativity of students.
Active engagement in the creative arts process.
Specific arts education goals, expected learning outcomes and program evaluation component.

Artistic Quality (0-30 points)
- Project description is clear and thorough and falls withing the guidelines of Arts Education in Schools.
- Projects are interactive/hands-on and encourage creativity and expression in the arts.
- Instruction provided by qualified teaching artists with expertise gained through education and/or training and achievement in an art form.
Educational Merit Focused on K-12 Arts Learning (0-40 points)

Provides active engagement in the creative art-making process.

Sequential, in-depth instruction in an art form.
Instructional activities that are age, ability and developmentally appropriate.
Clearly articulated arts learning goals and outcomes.

Access (0-10 points)
- Hours per pupil instruction demonstrates sufficient time to give students a quality learning experience.
Assessment (0-20 points)
- Methods of assessment are age, ability and develomentally appropriate and are suitable for the artistic discipline.
- Method(s) of evaluation measure the student's knowlege based on the learning goals described in the Educational Merit narrative.

Arts Education in Schools Support material
These materials should be no more than 2 years old and must be labeled with the name of the organization and the name of the project.

Letter of Agreement for each arts instructor/teaching artist including: description of service to be provided, dates of service, hourly fee rate, total hours of service, total fee, any other specification(s) agreed upon.
ONE PAGE resume of organization’s and/or school district’s project coordinator.
ONE PAGE resume of each non-school arts instructor/teaching artist.
Participant outcome evaluation tool.

Approved uses of OAC funding include costs associated with arts instruction not provided by the school budget which may include:

Fees for teaching artists or arts instructors that are not employees of the school or school district.
Travel costs for non-local arts instructors that are not employees of the school or school district.
Coordinating costs for non-school personnel directly responsible for the implementation of the project. These costs may not be the sole basis of your request.
Classroom supplies, resource materials or opportunities beyond the scope of what the school typically provides in the area of arts instruction. Supplies must be expended within the time frame of the project.
Printing or publication costs associated with the instruction.
Program documentation and evaluation.
Performances by professional artists in the context of the arts instruction provided as part of the program.
Artistic fees for Oklahoma Touring Roster Artists performances as part of or in conjunction with the overall arts instruction.
Art instruction fees for Artist-in-Residence Roster artists.
In-depth teacher training in the arts.
Accommodations for participants with disabilities, excluding structural renovation or permanent equipment.

Exclusions: In general, OAC funds CANNOT be used for these expenses:

Salaries and benefits for school teachers.
Workshops or registration fees for professional development.
Activities for which college credit is given including activities where the primary purpose is to enhance a college class where credit is given.
Activities that have a religious purpose.
After school, summer arts programs, intercession or weekend classes for children. (See Arts Learning in Communities Component)
Equipment purchase including computers, cameras, sound systems, stage curtains, costuming or dance apparel and/or non-arts related software.
Capital improvements, including murals or art permanent installations.
Activities that have a religious purpose.
Tickets for performances or museum admissions.
Performances and exhibitions outside Oklahoma.
Any supplies or project materials not consumed within time frame and activities of the project.
Cash prizes and awards.
Benefit and/or fundraising activities.
Hospitality expenses, i.e. receptions, parties, galas, gallery openings.
Lobbyists’ payments.
Website development, upgrade or maintenance.
Closed subscription series or other activities not open to the general public.
Association or memberships dues.
Debt reduction.
Travel outside the state of Oklahoma.