Creative Aging Partnership Grant

Application Deadline: September 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time

The Creative Aging Partnership Grant offers Oklahoma organizations support to build and expand arts learning opportunities for older adults through teaching artist residencies and workshops. The grant is a part of the Oklahoma Creative Aging Initiative. Applications for grant funding of up to $15,000 to support creative aging programming are being accepted through September 16, 2024.

Creative aging includes arts learning programs that empower older adults to strengthen their sense of purpose, deepen connections to community, increase health benefits, and ignite passion for learning. Extensive research shows that community-based art programs run by professional artists have powerful positive effects on older adults. These learning opportunities point to true health promotion and disease prevention that often benefit one’s ability to maintain independence.

Oklahoma organizations and artists offer a wealth of expertise and resources to build sustainable partnerships that can serve older adults in new and innovative ways. Through this grant program, Oklahoma Arts Council will work with grantee organizations to create or expand creative aging opportunities for older adults. Organizations receiving funding will also participate in a creative aging cohort and receive professional development through one-on-one mentorship, group trainings, cohort meetings, and technical support.

This program is made possible through funding from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) to enhance the health and well-being of older adults.

Program Objectives

Engage older learners with participatory skill building experiences through hands-on sequential arts learning programs led by qualified teaching artists
Leverage the arts to improve health outcomes for older adults and provide them with connections to support systems
Help Oklahomans age with dignity and meaningful connection in their communities
Create and expand creative aging opportunities across the state

Overview

Project Activity Dates
August 1, 2024 - May 30, 2025 (Grant Period FY2025)

Grant Amount
Up to $15,000 per organization.
Match requirement: 1:1 (100%). Half of the match (50%) may be in-kind support. Matching funds may not be other Oklahoma Arts Council funds.
Administrative fee: Grantees may allocate up to 15% of their grant award for organization salaries and administrative/operating expenses directly related to the funded project. Award amounts are determined using the grant program scoring criteria and agency priorities.

Application Opens
August 1, 2024

Informational Webinar
Click here to view the webinar

Office Hours
August 8, August 22, and September 5
10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4052497615

Application Deadline
September 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time

Grantee Cohort Meetings and Trainings
October 29: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
November 7, 14, and 21: 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Additional dates to be determined

Cohort Monthly Meetings
November 2024 through May 2025

Who Can Apply?

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations incorporated in the State of Oklahoma as a Domestic Not for Profit Corporation
- In good standing with the IRS (Organizations that have had their IRS status revoked are not eligible for Oklahoma Arts Council grant support. It is the organization’s responsibility to ensure that its status is current at the time of the application and throughout the life of the award.)
- In good standing with the State of Oklahoma
- Registered with a SAM UEI and eligible to receive federal support (organizations cannot be listed under the SAM Exclusions federal debarred or suspended list)
City, county, state, and tribal governments
Colleges and universities
Public library branches

Organizations receiving Oklahoma Arts Council funding in other grant programs may also apply for this grant opportunity.

What Types of Projects Can Be Supported?

Learning-based arts programs, such as classes, residencies, and workshops (frequency and duration may vary; focus should be on sequential hands-on learning)  where each participant receives six or more hours of hands-on arts engagement.

What Expenses Are Allowable?

Funding from this program can be used to reimburse the following expenses:

Teaching Artist Fees (payment to the teaching artist hired or contracted to lead instruction)
Teaching Artist Travel Expenses (may include mileage, lodging, or other costs but cannot include food or drink)
Participant Travel Expenses (may include transportation/bus rental/charter fees or other costs but cannot include food or drink)
Administrative or Technical Fees (up to 15% of award, may include salaries/benefits or other administrative/operations fees directly related to the project such as project coordinators or grant writers)
Consumable Supplies (must be directly related to the project)
Other Expenses (including printed programs, signage, licensing and/or royalty fees, etc.)

Unallowable expenses include tickets, tuition, scholarships, capital expenditures and/or building improvements, permanent art installations, activities for which college credit is given, loss of revenue, debt repayment, subgranting, duties or expenses related to fundraising and/or lobbying, activities or expenses that may advance or inhibit any religious belief, events that are not open to the public, cash prizes or awards, and hospitality expenses (i.e., food, drink, receptions, parties, galas). See the Grant Terms and Conditions for full cost principles.

How to Apply

Step 1: If your organization has not applied for an Oklahoma Arts Council grant in the past three years, you will need to request access to the grant system. Once you have access, your Grant Contact can log in and apply for a grant. If you have questions about logging in, please contact our grants office at 405-521-2040 or grants@arts.ok.gov.

Step 2: Once your organization has access to the grant system, your Grant Contact can log in and complete an application. Submit the application by the deadlines published in the program guidelines.

Grant Process

Create a user account in the grant portal (for new users)
Start and submit an application
Proposal is reviewed by Oklahoma Arts Council
Award notification (if the project is selected for funding)
Accept grant contract
Project activity occurs
Submit a mid-year report, mid-year grant payment is processed
Submit a final report, final grant payment is processed

Documents and Links

Grant Program Guidelines available soon
General Grant Terms and Conditions
Grant System Login

How to Apply

Step 1: Your organization must be verified in the Oklahoma Arts Council grant portal before applying for this grant opportunity. If your organization is new to Oklahoma Arts Council grants, you must create a new account in the Fluxx grant portal and complete the eligibility verification process (which may take up to 15 days to review and process). If you have questions, contact our grants office at grants@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2040.

Step 2: Once your organization is verified, you can start an application from the Apply for Funding page. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on the application deadline date published on the grant program guidelines. If an application deadline falls on a weekend or state holiday, the application will be due by 5:00 p.m. on the next business day. Late submissions are subject to the noncompliance policies as outlined in the General Grant Terms and Conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What types of artistic disciplines can be supported?
A: The Oklahoma Arts Council uses artistic quality as one of its review criteria for grants. Artistic disciplines include, but are not limited to, music, theatre, dance, literary arts, media arts, and visual arts. If you have questions about the eligibility of your project, please contact our Arts Learning in Communities Director.

Q. My organizations is already receiving funding through Oklahoma Arts Council’s other grant programs. Can I apply for this opportunity?
A. Yes, eligible organizations can apply for this partnership opportunity in addition to other grants received. If you receive an award, none of the required match may come from another Oklahoma Arts Council grant award.

Grant and Reporting Requirements

Creative Aging Academy
The grantee’s key program staff will be required to attend a three-day Zoom training (6 total hours) led by Lifetime Arts on November 7, November 14, and November 21, 2024, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Central Time.

Orientation, Cohort Meetings, and Site Visits
Upon notification of award, grantees will attend an orientation meeting with the Oklahoma Arts Council’s Arts Learning and Communities Director and Grants Director to review the program guidelines, payment request process, and general program expectations. Key program staff will attend monthly meetings on Zoom with other grantees to discuss program process, feedback, and any other topics that may arise. You may be asked to provide data in preparation for the check-in and cohort meetings, including but not limited to:

The number of older adults, participants, and sites being served
Overview of project scope and timeline, and example of curricula or lesson plan(s) utilized for the project

In addition, grantees will receive one-to-one mentorship from Lifetime Arts. Site visits will also be conducted by Oklahoma Arts Council to observe programs, discuss process, feedback, and other items.

Evaluation
You will conduct evaluations provided by Oklahoma Arts Council before and after the project activity dates.

Payment Requests
Oklahoma Arts Council grants are paid on a reimbursement basis, after services or products are rendered. Payments for this partnership grant will be processed in two installments: 50% of the grant in February 2025 and the remaining 50% of the grant in June 2025. A written progress report, payment request form, or other reporting requirements may be required before each payment is processed. Please see your award notification package for complete details on the payment request process.

Other Requirements
If selected for funding, grantee organizations must comply with all requirements as outlined in the Legal Assurances/General Grant Terms, grant contract, and grant program guidelines, including but not limited to the following:

Signed electronic grant contract by the deadline specified in the award notification email
Updated contact, mailing, and payment/banking information with the Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Supplier Portal
Thank you letters to the organization’s and participating sites’ legislators
Use of Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, and Tobacco Settlement and Entitlement Trust (TSET) logos
Timely submission of required reports
Retention of all financial records (including invoices and receipts) related to the grant award for seven (7) years

About the Oklahoma Creative Aging Initiative

The Oklahoma Arts Council's Creative Aging Initiative was launched in 2021 through grant funding provided by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy. The initiative was launched to build capacity across the state for community-based arts education programs serving older adults. Creative aging programs offer improved quality of life for this fast growing segment of the population. Through the initiative, the Oklahoma Arts Council is leading professional development opportunities, advisory groups, and statewide convenings.

Who to Contact for Help

For questions about this grant program, contact:

Erika Wilhite, Arts Learning in Communities Director
(405) 249-7615
erika.wilhite@arts.ok.gov

For questions about grant system access, contact:

Martyna Sandoval, Grants and Programs Associate
(405) 239-0257
martyna.sandoval@arts.ok.gov

For questions about managing your grant award, contact:

Thomas Tran, Grants Director
(405) 521-2041
thomas.tran@arts.ok.gov