• Summary of grant program: RISCA’s Project Grants in Education (PGE) program provides project-specific support to schools, non-profit organizations, arts educators, and teaching artists to engage students in rich and meaningful artistic experiences in dedicated learning environments. Project Grants in Education projects must be experiential and focus on the exploration of art and the artistic process. PGE strives to build the capacity of local teaching artists and nonprofit organizations, while providing students with high-quality artistic learning experiences.  
• Award amount: Up to $10,000 for Organizations. Up to $3,000 for Individuals.
• Who can apply:  Pre-K-12 schools based in Rhode Island (public, public charter, private, alternative, special education schools, career, and technical centers); non-profit or fiscally sponsored organizations based in Rhode Island; Arts educators and teaching artists in partnership with a school based in Rhode Island.

Information for First Time Applicants

If this is your first time applying for a grant from a RISCA, here are some things we want you to know before you get started:

• RISCA staff are here to help you throughout the grant process. We provide several grant support options, from one-on-one meetings to grant workshops (in person and online) to drop-in hours for last minute application support. Information about them can be found on each individual grant page. We also have pre-recorded grant workshops from past cycles and other helpful videos on our YouTube Channel.
• If possible, reach out to RISCA staff early if you would like one on one grant support. You can always reach out to RISCA staff for one-on-one grant! As you can imagine, we get a high volume of requests and have a limited time for one-on-one meetings, particularly the week prior to the grant deadline. We recommend reaching out to the program director for the grant program you are interested in applying to early if you want to meet one on one. Program directors typically start scheduling meetings early February for the April deadline, and early August for the October deadline.
• We recommend you read these grant guidelines more than once, as they will answer 95% of your questions. That way, if and when you do talk to a program director, you can spend your time together focusing on your application. There are many exceptions to this piece of advice: if you need in a different language or are unable to read or process these guidelines due to a learning disability, then please feel to reach out the grant program director and they can assist you.
• If you have a disability or are not comfortable writing or communicating in English, you may request accommodations. Applicants who need assistance completing an application should contact the relevant program director in advance of the deadline. They can provide or coordinate whatever assistance you require. For individuals with learning disabilities for whom writing a grant is prohibitive, RISCA program directors can arrange for transcription support if an applicant discloses their needs. For individuals who are not comfortable writing or communicating in English, program directors can arrange for the provision of translation support for your application. To allow for timely completion of your application, we recommend you notify the program director with your accommodation requests at least three weeks prior to the application deadline.
• Our number one piece of grant writing advice: follow the directions and answer the questions asked directly. The questions being asked in the grant applications are directly tied to the evaluation criteria and the evaluation rubric panelists will use when reviewing applications. This sounds obvious, but about half of the applications we receive don’t do those two things.
• RISCA staff can provide support beyond grants. Managing grants is just one facet of what the program directors do at RISCA. We are charged with stewarding the arts and culture ecosystem in Rhode Island and responding to needs in the field. You can feel free to reach out with questions you have or ideas you want feedback on at any time. As a state arts agency, we offer learning programs and coordinate events and convenings to connect people together. Check out our calendar of events.

To be eligible, an individual must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a US Citizen or Green Card holder
• Be a resident of the State of Rhode Island for at least six months

Successful applicants demonstrate:

• Evidence of experience in one or more artistic disciplines
• Knowledge and expertise in arts instruction, and an ongoing commitment to professional learning
• Knowledge of the learning needs and styles of their intended audience

The application process consists of two parts – a written application and an interview. Applicants that demonstrate the above to the review panel will be granted an interview with the RISCA, Arts in Education Director and members of the review panel.   During the interview, applicants will be asked to provide  detailed examples of their work for each “educational engagement type” as indicated on their application.  These examples, or learning plans, should demonstrate:

• A scope and sequence of events.
• Differentiated instructional strategies that engage at least one of the populations/communities selected.
• Learning goals that are aligned with the National Core Art Standards.

• Learning goals that are aligned with the National Core Art Standards.

If You Are Already Listed on the Rhode Island Teaching Artist Roster

Artists can renew their listings annually, provided they are active professionally as teaching artists. In order to maintain active status and artist must:

• Complete a yearly BCI background check in accordance with Rhode Island law.
• Have a complete profile on Creative Ground which includes a recent photo, updated contact information and at least one reference with whom the artist has worked for in the last 3 years

The Rhode Island Teaching Artist Roster is part of New England Foundation for the Arts CreativeGround website, which will provide opportunities for RI teaching artists regionally.