Oklahoma Arts Council Essential and Expanded Arts Education Grants is a small grant program supporting hands-on, sequential arts learning in Oklahoma schools. Individual schools may apply for up to two grants of $5,000 each per school year, with a required 10% cash match.

Funded activities take place during school hours and involve teaching artists working with students across six disciplines: dance, drama, literary arts, media arts, music, and visual arts. The grant period covers August 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 (FY2026). Research supports the program's impact, showing that students with four years of high school arts education score higher on college entrance exams.

Oklahoma Arts Council: Small Grant Support for Schools Schools across Oklahoma can apply for Essential Arts Education Grants for eligible arts education programs that take place during the school day. Individual schools can apply for two grants of up to $5,000 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.

Support hands-on, sequential arts learning with teaching artists that takes place during school hours Expand arts access (dance, drama, literary arts, media arts, music, and/or visual arts) to more Oklahoma students Create more opportunities for Oklahoma students to meaningfully engage with the arts during the school day August 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 (Grant Period FY2026) Each school site is eligible to apply for up to two $5,000 grants per school year.

Match requirement: 10%. Matching funds may not be other Oklahoma Arts Council funds. Accessibility: If you require accommodations to participate in the webinars or in-person information sessions, please contact us in advance at grants@arts.

ok. gov or (405) 521-2040. 60 days before your project start date Oklahoma PreK-12 public, charter, and private schools What Types of Projects Can Be Supported?

In-school classes, residencies, and workshops led by a contracted teaching artist (frequency and duration may vary; focus should be on sequential hands-on learning) where each student receives at least six hours of sequential hands-on arts engagement. What Expenses Are Allowable?

Funding from Essential Arts Education Grants can be used to reimburse expenses such as teaching artist fees, select teaching artist travel expenses, contracted administration or technical fees, and consumable supplies. For more examples of allowable expenses and unallowable expenses, see the program guidelines (link below).

Schools new to Oklahoma Arts Council grants will need to request access to the Grant System Grant Contact submits application Oklahoma Arts Council reviews application Oklahoma Arts Council sends award notification (if project is selected for funding) Authorizing Official accepts grant contract School’s project activity occurs Grant Contact submits final report Oklahoma Arts Council processes grant payment to school General Grant Terms and Conditions 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.

For questions about this grant program, contact Jennifer Allen-Barron, Arts Education Director, at jennifer. allen-barron@arts. ok.

gov or 405-521-2036. For questions about grant system access, contact Martyna Sandoval at martyna. sandoval@arts.

ok. gov or 405-521-2040. For questions about managing your grant award, contact Thomas Tran, Grants Director, at thomas.

tran@arts. ok. gov or 405-521-2041.