Schools Make Art Relevant Today

The following guidelines are designed to assist schools, arts institutions and community arts organizations, in conjunction with Maine artists, to develop arts in education programs that support and expand full access to learning in and through the arts for pre-K-12 students. The intention of the program is to fund programs—in both schools and in arts organizations—that provide meaningful arts in education experiences.

The new SMART program builds on a decade of experience with Maine’s Partners in Arts & Learning program. This program empowered teachers, parents, students, artists and community leaders to increase arts education and participation for all students and their communities by creating and implementing local plans based on national standards and the Maine Learning Results. The new grant program extends this platform to a broader view of arts in education and moves beyond strictly classroom based activities, to provide applicants the opportunity to plan for arts access, investigation, and integration.

Deadline

The application deadline is May 23, 2008, for projects starting after July 1, 2008.

Completed applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. E.S.T. on the on the date listed above in one of the two formats:

Standard format must be postmarked by mail, a delivery company or be hand delivered to the Maine Arts Commission office, 193 State Street, Augusta, Maine.
e-GRANT format must be electronically submitted. (See Introducing e-GRANT below.)
Note: e-GRANT applications may require an original signature or artist materials that can not be submitted electronically. These must be postmarked by the deadline as well.

If you are waiting until the last moment, please make sure the postal worker correctly postmarks your package. Applications may also be hand delivered until 5:00 p.m. EST on the day of the deadline, but please make sure you hand materials directly to a staff member. We are not able to accept late applications under any circumstances.

Examples

Examples of projects that might be funded under the SMART program include, but are not limited to:

In-school programs and artist residencies to benefit pre-K-12 students, including such activities as lectures, readings or performances.
Arts education programs sponsored by and located in an art institution such as a museum, theater or community presenter.
Arts education programs targeted to underserved student populations or youth at risk.
Projects that promote a folk arts curriculum and draw attention to cultural diversity.

Who is Eligible to Apply

A Maine public or private nonprofit school serving grades pre-K-12, a unit of local, county, state or tribal government, or an arts institution or organization that is

A nonprofit organization, legally established in the State of Maine,
and has tax exempt status 501(c)(3) from the Internal Revenue Service,
or is a unit of local, county, state or tribal government; and
has completed and filed all final reports required for previous Maine Arts Commission grants.

Applicants must demonstrate a fiscal structure that allows them to legally and responsibly utilize grant funds.

The minimum award for SMART projects is $5,000 and the maximum award is $10,000.

Review Process

The Maine Arts Commission will appoint a committee including Maine Arts Commission members and several public members who have expertise in arts in education. The committee will review only applications that have been forwarded by staff as complete. Recommendations will be presented to the Maine Arts Commission, which approves the selection process at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Applicants will be notified of grant determination after June 20, 2008.

Review Criteria

All grant proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:

Evidence that the project will support full access to learning in and through the arts.
Assurance that the project will demonstrate artistic excellence.
Documentation of the inclusion of professional artists.
Evidence of significant and inclusive planning among all partners.
Description of evaluation methodology.
Evidence that project serves underserved populations and youth at risk.
Potential for the project to create visibility for the importance of arts in education.

How to Apply

Guidelines are available in large print format by request. All Maine Arts Commission programs are accessible (ADA). All programs funded by the Maine Arts Commission must also be accessible.

Introducing e-GRANT

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply through the Maine Arts Commission new e-GRANT system, the agency’s preferred method for grant filing. Forms to accompany e-GRANT applications can be downloaded on your computer, filled out and electronically uploaded to the e-GRANT system.

e-GRANT provides the following advantages over the standard application format:

e-GRANT allows applicants who apply for multiple grants to supply contact information only once. Only one copy of the electronic application is required.
e-GRANT guarantees that an application will be received by the deadline. Applicants are notified as soon as the e-GRANT application is downloaded.
e-GRANT will not allow an incomplete application to be submitted, but rather will identify missing materials. Complete applications are guaranteed to be reviewed.
e-GRANT allows an applicant to submit narrative, budget information and resumes, letter of intent, etc. by attaching word processed documents.
e-GRANT applications may require an original signature or artist materials that can not be submitted electronically. These must also be postmarked by the deadline as well.

Please review the following guidelines carefully in preparing your application materials. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in disqualification of your application. Only complete applications will be accepted.

Before developing the final application, discuss the idea or project with Jen Ryan, arts in education contractor at 207/287-2790 or education.mac@gmail.com. Follow up with Kathy Ann Shaw, senior development associate at 207/287-2750, kathy.shaw@maine.gov or 877/887-3878 – TTY/NexTalk may be suggested following that..This is required.

Applicants who have been encouraged to proceed must submit:

One Maine Arts Commission Application Form.
One Application Budget Form providing evidence of cash or in-kind match or volunteer resources (a cash commitment strengthens the application).
One State of Maine Vendor Form.
Up to three letters of support from collaborators.
Resumes of key personnel and the names, contact information and resumes for the artists you have chosen.
Digital images representing a sampling of previous program activities.
Answers to each of the following questions sequentially and by number. Answers should not exceed a total of five (5) pages:
1. How does the project support full access to learning in and through the arts for pre-K-12 students?
2. How is artistic excellence sustained through this project? Articulate any artistic presentation or creation that results from this project.
3. Who are the professional artists involved in this project? Describe the level of teaching experience possessed by participating artists.
4. How was this project planned? What is the role of each partner?
5. How will this project be evaluated?
6. What provisions are made to address underserved special needs populations, such as students with disabilities, youth at risk, ESL students and students in rural school systems?
7. How will the project create visibility for the importance of arts in education and provide opportunities for artists?

Please do not submit applications in elaborate file folders or packaging or use fonts below 12-point print. Make copies of all forms and other application materials for your records prior to submitting them to the Maine Arts Commission. If you have any additional questions about your SMART application, please contact Jen Ryan, arts in education contractor at 207/287-2790 or education.mac@gmail.com or Kathy Ann Shaw, senior development associate, 207/287-2750, kathy.shaw@maine.gov or 877/887-3878 – TTY/NexTalk User ID: kathy.shaw.