The Gift for the Fine Arts 2024

The goal of this grant is to support and enhance K-5 Fine Arts or 6-12 Music Education in Urbana School District #116 elementary schools. Grants will be awarded annually on a merit basis in keeping with the eligibility and review criteria outlined below.

Applicants must be a K-5th grade Music, Art, Dance, Drama teacher, or a 6-12 music teacher in Urbana School District #116. Collaborative proposals submitted by more than one teacher are welcome.

Eligible Activities: Fine Arts or music activities may benefit a classroom, grade level, whole or multiple schools. Specific activities that will be considered for funding are:

• Student attendance to a performance—music (instrumental/choral), dance, theater or multidisciplinary performance (Example: KCPA Youth Series)

• A fine arts focused field trip (Example: Krannert Art Museum)

• School related performance (Example: Blues in the Schools)

• A guest artist or artist in residence program (Example: Nightmusic Brass Quintet)

Eligible Costs: Eligible costs include transportation, tickets, substitute teachers and artist fees. The cost of relevant instructional resources, student resource materials, musical instruments, and equipment (purchase, repair, and maintenance) are also eligible. Supplies must be directly relevant to the project. The cost of food is not an eligible grant expense. Grant proposals should not exceed $1,000.

Grants will be awarded solely on the merit of the proposal. Preference will be given to projects with a music component. All proposals must demonstrate a direct connection to the Elementary Fine Arts Curriculum or to the 6-12 music curriculum. Performance-based proposals must show evidence of student preparation relevant and prior to the performance. This evidence may take the form of examples from student learning related to the composer or to the artist. Proposals for instruments/equipment must include detail about the school’s current instrument/equipment inventory, the number of students who will use and benefit from the instruments/equipment, and plans to store instruments/equipment. Proposals based on Disney productions or products will not be considered for funding.

Proposals must be signed by the Urbana School District Superintendent or designee, in addition to the applicant(s). An email from this person is acceptable.

Match: Applicants must include a minimum match of 15% to cover project expenses. In the case of instrument/equipment requests, the required match is 50%. The match can be from the PTA, booster club, building or district budget or other sources. 

Note: Any non-consumables purchased with grant money become the property of Urbana School District #116

Submit by Sun Sep. 30, 2024 - 11:59pm