{"id":5835,"date":"2022-09-14T05:00:34","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T10:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aoeudev.wpengine.com\/2022\/09\/sept-what-do-art-teachers-need-to-know-about-grant-writing\/"},"modified":"2023-07-28T07:51:27","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T12:51:27","slug":"sept-what-do-art-teachers-need-to-know-about-grant-writing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/2022\/09\/sept-what-do-art-teachers-need-to-know-about-grant-writing\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do Art Teachers Need to Know About Grant Writing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chances are, you took several curriculum writing, methodology, and pedagogy classes in your undergraduate education. You are an expert at writing lesson plans to fit the needs of your students while aligning to NCAS<\/a> and your district\u2019s scope and sequence. But did you know grant writing isn\u2019t that much different?<\/p>\n

Learn how to tap into your curriculum writing skills to advocate for your students through grant writing. Gain unique insight and develop opportunities to grow your program in fun and exciting ways!<\/p>\n

\"erin
Photo courtesy of Erin Saladino<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is a grant?<\/h3>\n

Erin Saladino is AOEU\u2019s Learning Experience Designer. She has 17+ years of experience as a visual art and theater teacher and county art supervisor. Erin describes a grant as \u201can investment made by stakeholders toward needs-aligned projects.\u201d Furthermore, each project\u2019s ultimate goal should be to make a change.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break it down even more. A grant should have the following three components:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Stakeholder investment<\/li>\n
  2. Address a specific need with a project goal<\/li>\n
  3. Make a change or impact<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \n

    If you are looking to improve your curriculum and bring innovative learning opportunities to your students, take a look at our new Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (MEd). Specialize in Instructional Leadership in Art Education and take our Principles of Art and Business online course to capitalize on grants and make the most of your budget. Grow your impact in the art room and enhance your art program.<\/span> Talk to an admissions counselor today<\/span><\/a> to learn more.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Get in touch with an admissions counselor!<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    Make grant writing easy with these thirteen steps.<\/h2>\n

    1. Identify a specific need and art project.<\/h3>\n

    The first step is to identify a specific need. Hand in hand is figuring out the perfect art project to pair with it. Be sure your need is specific to you and your students. It should not be a generic ask for art supplies.<\/p>\n

    Communicating with site stakeholders<\/a> is important when identifying needs and the creative solutions your art program can bring to your school. When you start the grant process, it is best practice to communicate your plans with the administration. Usually, this chat isn\u2019t to ask for permission but to make them aware of your go-getter approach and keep them in the loop about what is happening in your art room. School-focused grants usually require a signature from your administrator down the line, so let them know you are on a mission now.<\/p>\n

    Perhaps your school has a large first-generation Latinx population, primarily from Mexico. The students are growing up in the United States and are out of touch with their Latinx roots. The need is to infuse Mexican culture into the art curriculum. A specific fifth-grade art project to meet this need can be designing Day of the Dead sugar skulls. Take the time to determine your need and project so you can figure out the right grants to apply for.<\/p>\n

    \"day<\/p>\n

    2. Investigate big-picture connections.<\/h3>\n

    Now that you have a project identified, it\u2019s time to look at different areas of connection. Consider cultural and social ties and how they correlate to standards such as NCAS<\/a>. It\u2019s wonderful if your project has cross-curricular connections that can anchor it to core content areas for greater impact. Ensure your project objectives reflect the standards and connections. Notate if you are required to use a specific curriculum or set of standards. Erin suggests avoiding political connections because they can be sensitive and tricky to navigate.<\/p>\n

    Here are Florida state standards<\/a> for our 5th-grade project:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n