4K Arts Integration Grants

About This Grant

Purpose

These grants help CERDEP preschool providers offer arts-integrated experiences for students and professional learning opportunities for teachers using the arts to increase kindergarten readiness.

Projects may be considered to increase kindergarten readiness by:

• building connections between the arts and other subject areas in a meaningful way
• providing artist-in-residence experiences for students that include professional learning for teachers
• supporting teachers in implementing projects based on professional learning in arts integration
• addressing gaps in arts access that have previously impeded learning in the 4K classroom

Although there is no singular definition of arts integration, the SCAC finds that the Kennedy Center’s comprehensive definition of Arts Integration is a worthy model. To read more about how their definition has evolved, please visit their website and read “What is Arts Integration?”

Please Note

Grant guidelines are subject to change until the application opens.

Applicant Coaching

For your burning questions about our FY25 4K Arts Integration Grants, please register for our Applicant Coaching call on Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 3-4 p.m.

• Eligibility

  1. The applicant must be:

  • • In a public school or school district in South Carolina or an SC First Steps 4K Provider
    • An SC First Steps or S.C. Department of Education Childhood Early Reading and Development Education Program (CERDEP) 4K Provider. Non-CERDEP public, private, and corporate preschools/providers are ineligible to apply.

  Please contact us before applying if:

  • you are unsure of your CERDEP status for eligibility; or
  • the applicant organization is not part of a school district, not a unit of government, or not a non-profit organization.

  Note: Applicants who are applying through a fiscal agent/receiver must submit a letter outlining the working relationship and responsibilities of both parties.

  2. In accordance with federal government policy, all organizations – including (but not limited to) private schools, public school districts, government entities, and nonprofit organizations – must provide a valid UEI number* to receive an SCAC grant award. *Learn about the Unique Entity ID (UEI) Note: If an applicant organization is using a fiscal agent/receiver, separate UEI numbers must be provided for both the applicant organization and the fiscal agent/receiver. Exceptions to separate UEI numbers are organizations run by a local government or a school district.

     • Individual public schools may use their school district’s Unique Entity ID and do not need to register separately.

• Restrictions

  • A 4K provider may not receive funding for the same purchase or project twice.
  • A 4K provider may receive no more than two (2) 4K Arts Integration grant awards per fiscal year.
  • A 4K provider may not receive more than $2,000 in 4K Arts Integration grant funds per fiscal year.
    • For example, if one teacher from Arts Drive Child Development Center receives $1,200, the most another teacher at Arts Drive Child Development Center can receive in that fiscal year is $800.
  • Multiple teachers from the same 4K provider may apply, jointly or separately. We encourage joint applications when possible to maximize the value of the application process for applicant providers. When multiple teachers from the same 4K provider apply jointly, one (1) teacher must be designated as the contact person for this grant.
    • Example 1: If a 4K teacher needs $300 for an arts integration professional development opportunity and a music teacher at the same 4K Provider needs $700 in supplies, they may submit one (1) application for $1,000.
    • Example 2: If two (2) 4K teachers are working together on an arts-integrated learning unit, they may jointly apply for a $2,000 grant to fund the interdisciplinary project.
  • If a teacher teaches at multiple 4K providers, they may not apply for a multi-preschool grant. Instead, the teacher should choose which 4K provider will apply for the grant. A teacher who teaches at multiple 4K providers may apply for separate grants for each provider.
    • For example, if you teach art at Main Street Preschool and Arts Drive Child Development Center, you may apply for a grant to fund an artist in residence at Main Street Preschool and a separate grant to fund an artist in residence at Arts Drive Child Development Center.
  • Arts organizations and units of higher education that offer preschool programming are ineligible to apply for this grant but are eligible to apply for our Summer Arts Education Projects and Term Arts Education Projects grants to fund preschool work.

• Use of Funds

  4K Arts Integration Grant funds may be used to pay for the following:

  • Consumable and non-consumable resources directly related to artist residencies or professional learning in arts strategies or arts integration.
    • Please note that all material purchases must be made and items received within the project dates set in your grant application and confirmed in the grant contract. Grant funds are considered spent—and the “end date” of your project is when materials are received.
  • Arts-based professional learning opportunities and related costs.
  • Field trips or performances with classroom extensions and/or follow-up learning opportunities for teachers.
    • Example: The 4K students at Main Street Preschool take a field trip to see a musical theatre performance about colors. A teaching artist from the performance follows up with a classroom residency in which students work to create paintings based on the ideas presented in the performance. The teaching artist debriefs with the teacher after the lesson to discuss how to regularly incorporate this type of activity into the classroom.
  • Artists in Residence – Please note:
    • The artist in residence must spend peer-to-peer training time with the teacher to ensure growth in the teacher’s skill level and ability to teach the skill in future years.
    • Grant recipients must use members of the S.C. Arts Directory for grant-funded activities, detailed as follows:

  If you are hiring artists or teaching artists

  For all grant-funded activities (including group lectures, demonstrations, performances, residencies, and short-term arts teaching experiences), the use of S.C. Arts Directory members For all grant-funded activities (including group lectures, demonstrations, performances, residencies, and short-term arts teaching experiences), the use of S.C. Arts Directory members is required for schools, school districts, and organizations for this grant category.

  Artists identified as Verified Teaching Artists on the S.C. Arts Directory have been additionally vetted by SCAC through the submission of sample lesson plans, recorded teaching samples, and letters of recommendation. For any grantee whose grant-funded activities are for K-12 student services, SCAC encourages the use of Verified Teaching Artists. Many school districts require the use of SCAC Verified Teaching Artists for classroom residencies. If working in a school environment, always check with both the individual school and the school district about policies related to hiring artists, arts organizations, and teaching artists.

  • Learn more about the S.C. Arts Directory
  • Search for an artist

• Additional Requirements of this Grant

  None.

• Priority

  Priority may be given to CERDEP preschool providers located in SCAC FY25 Opportunity Initiative Counties:

  • Allendale
  • Bamberg
  • Calhoun
  • Cherokee
  • Clarendon
  • Dillon
  • Edgefield
  • Hampton
  • Jasper
  • Laurens
  • Lee
  • Marion
  • Marlboro
  • Saluda
  • Williamsburg

• Deadlines & Grant Period

  Deadlines

  At least five weeks before the project begins, for projects beginning on or after September 17, 2024.

  • Application period: August 13, 2024 – February 18, 2025
  • Applications must be submitted at least five weeks (unless otherwise noted by an * below) before grant-funded activities begin or purchases are made. However, earlier applications are encouraged. Applicants do not need to wait until five weeks before their project starts to apply.
  • Note: No applications will be accepted after Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

  Here are some time-specific deadlines:

  • September 2, 2024, for projects beginning October 7 or later.
    • Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of September 30.
  • September 30, 2024, for projects beginning November 4 or later.
    • Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of October 28.
  • October 28, 2024, for projects beginning December 9* or later.
    • Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of December 2.
  • December 2, 2024, for projects beginning January 13, 2025* or later.
    • Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of January 6, 2025.
  • January 6, 2025, for projects beginning February 10 or later.
    • Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of February 3.
  • February 3, 2025, for projects beginning March 10 or later.
    • Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of March 3.

  Applications may be submitted until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the deadline date. However, please be aware that staff members will not be available to assist you with questions or technical difficulties after SCAC closes at 5 p.m. that day.

  Grant Period

  All grant-supported activities must be implemented between September 17, 2024 and May 15, 2025.

  If your proposed project is scheduled to end after May 15, please contact us before beginning your application.

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  Up to $2,000 per grant. A school may receive up to two (2) 4K AI grants for a total of $2,000 per fiscal year (see restrictions section of these guidelines for details)

  Matching Requirements

  1:3 (grantee:SCAC)*

  • A 1:3 match means that for each dollar granted, the grantee must match with $0.33 of their own funds.
    • For example, with a $2,000 grant, the preschool would match with $667.)
  • The match for this category must be 100% cash; no in-kind expenses may be counted as part of the applicant’s match.
  • Funds may not be matched with another SCAC grant or with any federal funds.

  *Exception: No match is required for CERDEP preschool providers located in SCAC FY25 Opportunity Initiative Counties:

  • Allendale
  • Bamberg
  • Calhoun
  • Cherokee
  • Clarendon
  • Dillon
  • Edgefield
  • Hampton
  • Jasper
  • Laurens
  • Lee
  • Marion
  • Marlboro
  • Saluda
  • Williamsburg

• Grant Criteria

  Are you wondering what makes for a strong application?

  The SCAC recommends using the rubric in this section as a guide when writing your application. Grant panelists will score your application responses based on the criteria within this rubric.

  FY25 4K Arts Integration Grant Evaluation Rubric
  Materials/Activities/Professional Learning (58%)
  	0-1	2	3-4	5
  Mission and Demographics	The applicant provides little to no information about the school’s mission and demographics.	The applicant provides sufficient information about the school’s mission and demographics.	The applicant provides detailed information about the school’s mission and demographics.	The applicant provides thorough, detailed information about the school’s mission and demographics.
  	0-3	4-8	9-12	13-16
  Funding Purpose	The applicant did not identify the materials and or activities to which they would gain access through this grant. They did not identify the arts-based professional learning connected to the grant activities.	The applicant somewhat identifies the materials and or activities to which they would gain access through this grant. They somewhat identify the arts-based professional learning connected to the grant activities.	The applicant identifies the materials and or activities to which they would gain access through this grant. They identify the arts-based professional learning connected to the grant activities.	The applicant clearly identifies the materials and or activities to which they would gain access through this grant. They clearly identify the arts-based professional learning connected to the grant activities.
  	0-3	4-8	9-12	13-16
  Professional Learning Provider	The artist or institution providing arts integration professional learning is not qualified nor appropriate for the proposed project.	The artist or institution providing arts integration professional learning is somewhat qualified or appropriate for the proposed project.	The artist or institution providing arts integration professional learning is qualified and appropriate for the proposed project.	The artist or institution providing arts integration professional learning is well- qualified and clearly appropriate for the proposed project.
  	0-3	4-8	9-12	13-16
  Classroom Arts Integration	The applicant did not explain how the materials/activities nor professional learning would allow them to implement arts integration teaching strategies in the classroom.	The applicant somewhat explains how the materials/activities and professional learning would allow them to implement arts integration teaching strategies in the classroom.	The applicant explains how the materials/activities and professional learning would allow them to implement arts integration teaching strategies in the classroom.	The applicant clearly and compellingly explains how the materials/activities and professional learning would allow them to implement arts integration teaching strategies with fidelity in the classroom.
  	0-1	2	3-4	5
  Student Impact	The applicant is unclear on how many students will be impacted by this grant.	The applicant has a vague sense of how many students will be impacted by this grant.	The applicant has a realistic sense of how many students will be impacted by this grant.	The applicant has a clear and realistic sense of how many students will be impacted by this grant.
  Addressing Student Needs (32%)
  	0-3	4-8	9-12	13-16
  Profile of the Ready Kindergartener	The applicant did not identify how grant-funded activities, purchases or professional learning address the indicators in the SC Profile of the Ready Kindergartner.	The applicant somewhat identifies how grant-funded activities or purchases, along with professional learning, address the indicators in the SC Profile of the Ready Kindergartner.	The applicant identifies how grant-funded activities or purchases, along with professional learning, address the indicators in the SC Profile of the Ready Kindergartner.	The applicant clearly identifies how grant-funded activities or purchases, along with professional learning, address the indicators in the SC Profile of the Ready Kindergartner.
  	0-3	4-8	9-12	13-16
  Diverse Student Needs	The applicant did not explain how classroom practices measure and address the unique needs of the selected student groups.	The applicant somewhat explains how classroom practices measure and address the unique needs of the selected student groups.	The applicant explains how classroom practices measure and address the unique needs of the selected student groups.	The applicant clearly and compellingly explains how classroom practices measure and address the unique needs of the selected student groups.
  Budget (10%)
  	0		5
  Balanced Budget	No, the applicant did not present a balanced budget for the project or purchase.		Yes, the applicant presents a balanced budget for the project or purchase.
  	0		5
  Support Documentation	No, the applicant did not clearly document all expenses stated in their budget and expense details.		Yes, the applicant clearly documents all expenses stated in their budget and expense details.

  Click for a printer-friendly rubric.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through our grants portal, which uses the Foundant platform.

New to Foundant? For frequently asked questions, registration instructions, and other helpful information, we highly recommend visiting the Grants Portal FAQ, before you begin working in the system.

• Your Grants Portal Account

  The applicant must have an active account in our Grants Portal.

  • If you have previously used Submittable to apply for other SCAC grants or programs, please note that the grants portal is a different system. Your Submittable credentials will not work; you will need a grants portal account to apply for this grant.
  • If you have used the grants portal as both an artist and as a contact for a school or organization, be sure you log on with the correct account to apply for this grant.

  Helpful Hint: The primary contact person for this grant should be the 4K teacher who will administer the grant activities. To ensure the correct person is listed as the primary contact for your application, that person should be the one to log on and click the “Apply” button to start the application. The primary contact person for this grant should be the person who will:

  1. edit and submit the grant application;
  2. manage this grant’s activities, and
  3. receive and respond to communications from the SCAC about this grant.

• Starting Your Application

  1. Follow the “Apply” link below. The Grants Portal will open in a new browser tab or window.
  2. Log on, then click the “Apply” link at the top of your applicant dashboard.
  3. Find “4K Arts Integration” in the list of available grant applications, and click the “Apply” button to the far right.

After You Apply

• Review Process

  The Grants Team will review submitted applications for completeness and compliance with guideline and application requirements. A review panel of early childhood arts integration professionals will evaluate the applications based on the published review criteria. An applicant’s panel comments are available to them upon request. Staff will then develop funding recommendations, based on these evaluations and the availability of funds. Final funding decisions are approved by the deputy director. Award notification is expected within four (4) to five (5) weeks of submission.

• If You Receive a Grant Award

  If your application is funded, you (and your fiscal agent/receiver, if applicable) will enter into a contractual agreement with the South Carolina Arts Commission, and you must comply with all requirements stated in that contract. You will receive notification and instructions when your contract is available in the Grants Portal. You must submit your completed contract packet, including signatures and other documentation as instructed, by the date indicated in the system. You must also complete all other assigned follow ups by the due date.

  Please note: Any significant revisions to grant-funded activities must be approved in writing, in advance, by the SCAC. Significant revisions to grant-funded activities must be emailed to grants@arts.sc.gov to be processed for approval or denial.

  Additional details about managing an SCAC grant are available on our agency website.

  Grant Payments

  Payments are reimbursement-based. This means any expenses must be financed up front by the grantee and/or a cooperating entity.

  An accurate final report, listing only expenses allowable under the program guidelines for the certified time period, must be submitted in order to receive payment for the grant award.

  Final Report

  ALL GRANTEES are required to file a final report at the end of the grant period. The final report due date is stated in the grant contract. Failure to submit an accurate and complete final report by the due date will result in cancellation of the award and repayment of any funds received. SCAC will not fund applicants who have outstanding final reports.