Small Grant Support Criteria

Arts Learning in Communities Review Criteria

Arts Learning in Communities programming supports arts instruction, workshops and classes for participants of all ages, abilities and life circumstances where a predominant amount of the participant’s time is devoted to the creative arts process and excludes arts education in the schools.

Projects in this component should be characterized by the following:

• The predominant amount of time involves the participants in direct and meaningful engagement in the creative arts process.
• Arts experiences that are designed for the specific life circumstances of the learners and are age, ability and developmentally appropriate activities.
• The utilization of arts learning goals that address the participants’ needs.
• An evaluation component based on arts learning goals and expected participant outcomes.
• Arts instructors that are knowledgeable in their arts discipline and experienced in instructional methods appropriate to the participants.

1. Quality of Program Design (0-30 points)
   • Clear linkage between participant need and planned arts experience
   • Promotes creative self-expression of participants
   • Safety and appropriateness of environment including physical space, materials and planned activities
   • Evaluation component measures participant's arts learning as evidenced by change in knowledge or skill in the arts and attitude towards the arts.
   • Potential for sustainability and/or replication
2. Artistic Quality (0-25 points)
   • Methods used to ensure a quality arts experience include instruction provided by qualified teaching artists with knowledge and experience in instructional methods
3. Learning Merit (0-15 points)
   • Provides active engagement in the creative arts process.
   • Age, ability and developmentally appropriate
   • Clearly articulated arts learning goals and outcomes
4. Access (0-15 points)
   • Sliding fee scales, no or nominal tuition and/or provisions for scholarships
   • Programming or accommodations that facilitate service to underserved populations that may include rural, at-risk, populations in institutional settings, people with disabilities, senior citizens, or populations with English as the second language.

Arts Learning in Communities Support Materials (0-15 points) 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.

• Resumes of arts instructors and program coordinators. Limit to one page each. Longer items will be discarded.
• Letter of Agreement for each arts instructor 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.
• Letter of agreement indicating commitment from community partners. Limit 3
• Publications or other printed materials which promote or describe the project or the organization’s Arts Learning in Communities project. Printed materials which describe previously OAC funded projects should include the OAC logo. Limit 2
• Sample participant outcome evaluation tool.

Approved uses include costs associated with:

• Arts instruction, classes and/or workshops for participants of all ages excluding arts education in schools.
• Administrative costs for personnel of the development and coordination of the project.
• Materials and supplies consumed within the project.
• Printing or publication costs associated with the project.
• Program documentation and evaluation.
• Fees for teaching artists or arts instructors.
• Artistic fees for Oklahoma Touring Roster Artists performing as part of or in conjunction with the overall arts instruction.
• Art instruction fees for Artist-in-Residence Roster artists.
• Early childhood, summer and/or after-school programs for children that foster creativity, self-discovery and imaginative thinking through the arts.
• Prevention or intervention programs for youth or young adults that use the arts in problem solving and decision-making.
• Intergenerational programs that foster cross-age communication and understanding through arts learning.
• Senior programs that use arts learning to foster creativity and enhance the quality of life.
• Projects that integrate arts learning into health and wellness, such as in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or other clinical settings.
• Training programs that teach practitioners, service providers, artists or caregivers how to appropriately plan, deliver and assess population-specific arts learning experiences.
• Accommodations for participants with disabilities, excluding structural renovation or permanent equipment.

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

• Equipment, including purchase of computers, cameras, sound systems, stage curtains, costuming or dance apparel and/or non-arts related software
• Capital expenditures including murals or permanent art installations.
• Lectures/demonstrations not in the context of active engagement in art making process by participants
• 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
• Arts instruction taking place in a school setting or as part of enhancement of school curriculum. (see Arts Education in Schools)
• Tickets for performances or museum admissions
• Performances and exhibitions outside Oklahoma
• Any supplies, materials, 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