SC Arts Commission Arts in Education Program

Purpose

Three-year grants to help school districts create positions for arts curriculum coordinators who will guide planning and implementation of standards-based arts curricula at the district level.

Description

The purpose of the Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Initiative is to make quality, standards-based arts instruction in all arts disciplines available to every child in South Carolina. The SC Arts Commission's ABC grants support schools and school districts in their pursuit of this goal.

Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) District Arts Coordinator Initiative grants will support the creation of new full or half-time arts curriculum coordinator positions at the district level. The creation of such positions is seen as a key first step toward districts' development as ABC sites. School districts that have had a previously existing coordinator position are eligible for funding if the position has not been filled within the last three years.

• The grant application covers three years. Grantees may receive up to half of the new salary for the first year, up to one third of the salary for the second year, and up to one quarter of the new salary for the third year.


• Arts coordinators hired under this initiative will be expected to meet with colleagues from current and former ABC sites for professional development days during the school year. There are currently 39 sites, some of which have been sites since the Project's inception.

Among ABC Project programs and activities that support the efforts of ABC sites are the Curriculum Leadership Institute in the Arts (CLIA), a summer arts leadership program for arts educators; the Arts Education Leadership Institute (AELI), a summer planning intensive for school and school district teams; the Southeast Center for Dance Education at Columbia College; and an expanding statewide outreach program. If the newly hired arts coordinators have not participated in the CLIA and the AELI, they will be expected to do so during the grant period.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must be a SC school district.

Deadline

January 15
Current grantees are funded in a 3-year cycle that ends June 30, 2007.

Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the SC Arts Commission offices before 5:00 PM, no later than the stated date, or, when the deadline occurs on a weekend or holiday, no later than the next business day.

Funding Ranges

Up to $20,000 for year one;
Up to $13,333 for year two;
Up to $10,000 for year three

Match

1:1 (applicant:SCAC) in year one
2:1 (applicant:SCAC) in year two
3:1 (applicant:SCAC) in year three.

Grant Payments

Payment will be on an expense reimbursement basis only. Grantees may submit a maximum of two interim payments, totaling no more than 80% of the grant award. Final grant payment will be released upon receipt and approval of grantee’s final report.

Filing Fee

None

Review Process

Please contact your SCAC county arts coordinator for guidance on completing the application form.

The initial staff review of applications focuses on eligibility, conformity to guidelines, accuracy and detail of budget, clarity of narrative, completeness of packet, compliance with grant requirements, and confirmation of required support materials. Funding recommendations are determined through staff analysis, and then presented to the Arts Commission Board of Directors for final funding decisions. Three-year grantees must have an approved annual final report in order to qualify for next year funding.

All grantees are required to file a AIE Final Report (PDF) (How To Use PDFs) at the end of the grant period. The Final Report Due Date is printed on your contract. Failure to file the final report by the due date will result in cancellation of the award and repayment of funds received. SCAC will not fund applicants who have outstanding final reports. Submit only original final report forms with original signatures. Do not submit copies or fax your final report form.

Each page/item of materials must be labeled with the name of the applicant organization and be submitted in a format suitable for copying. Typeface must be legible, and no less than 10 point.

Do not use 3-ring binders, folders, or bind the application materials in any way other than with binder clips or paper clips.

The application package must include one complete collated set of items as follows:

1. Two Forms

Originals, completed and signed.Forms are in Portable Document Format (PDF). How To Use PDFs

1. Grant Application for Organizations (PDF), signed by school district representative.
2. Detailed Budget (PDF). Submit a detailed district arts education budget for the current year and the proposed two years of your project. Itemize all expenses and sources of revenue.

2. Narrative

The Narrative should not exceed 1 page, and must address the criteria below. Each item in the Narrative should be identified by the appropriate number and topic heading.

1. Proposed Position
   Provide a description of the responsibilities of the new arts curriculum coordinator. Will this position be full or half time? Outline the required qualifications for the position. At a minimum, funded positions will devote at least 50% of a full-time position to arts coordination and will be filled by individuals certified in dance, drama, music, or visual art with some prior classroom experience.
   
   
2. Strategic Opportunity
   Why is it appropriate now for your district to acquire district level arts personnel?
   
   
3. Resources
   What sources will provide the required matching funds during the grant period and the full cost of the compensation package from July 2006 through June 2009?

3. Resume

Resume of District Arts Coordinator, if already selected.

4. Support Materials

Should include a CURRENT letter signed by the district superintendent, which commits the school district to funding the position for at least one year.

NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Submit only original application forms with original signatures. Do not submit copies or fax your application.