TranspARTation Grant Program

The TranspARTation Grant Program is administered by the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency that supports access to arts education, cultural programming, and creative engagement throughout Delaware. The program is intended to strengthen educational opportunities for students by helping schools offset transportation expenses associated with arts and cultural field trips. Through this initiative, the Division recognizes that direct engagement with arts institutions and live performances contributes to academic enrichment, creativity, innovation, and the development of a well-rounded curriculum. The program also seeks to support Delaware's broader creative economy by encouraging schools to expose students to arts and cultural venues across the state. The purpose of the TranspARTation Grant is to subsidize transportation costs that schools incur when taking students to eligible arts and cultural events in Delaware. The grant supports travel to performances, exhibitions, and events with high-quality arts components, including presentations by guest artists or ensembles. School shows or student group performances are not eligible. Funding may be used for buses, fuel, parking fees, and tolls directly associated with approved field trips. Schools may request up to $500 in support for eligible transportation expenses. Grant funds are provided on a reimbursement basis only after the field trip has been completed and the required final report and transportation receipts or invoices have been submitted. The Delaware Division of the Arts does not pay transportation vendors directly. Eligibility is limited to Delaware nonprofit K-12 public, private, charter, and parochial schools, as well as Pre-K programs affiliated with public schools. Schools may generally receive one TranspARTation Grant per school year, although Title I schools may be considered for more than one award if funding remains available. Eligible applicants must submit an application through the smARTDE online grants management system. The application process requires schools to provide a school profile, narrative responses describing the proposed project and its educational value, details about the field trip destination and student participation, and a transportation estimate from the transportation provider on official letterhead. Applicants are encouraged to use DelawareScene.com and direct outreach to arts organizations to identify appropriate events and venues. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the funding cycle. However, submissions must be received at least six weeks prior to the planned field trip date. Applications are reviewed on a first-received, first-reviewed basis beginning in mid-August and continuing until available funding has been exhausted. The Delaware Division of the Arts indicates that applicants should expect notification regarding funding decisions within approximately four weeks of application submission. All notifications are issued electronically through the smARTDE system and by email communication from Division staff. The review process is conducted internally by Division staff in conjunction with the Division Director, who makes final funding determinations. Evaluation considerations focus on the quality of the proposed arts experience, the educational value of the field trip, and compliance with program requirements. Applicants awarded funding must comply with the Delaware Division of the Arts Statement of Assurances and acknowledge the Division's support in any public communications regarding the funded field trip. Grantees are also required to notify their school or district business office regarding award and payment procedures. Additional administrative requirements apply to funded schools. Final reports must be submitted through smARTDE within 30 days after completion of the field trip or by June 1, whichever occurs first. Final reports must include transportation receipts or invoices documenting actual expenses incurred. Failure to submit required reporting materials may jeopardize future eligibility for Division funding opportunities. Grant recipients must also maintain an active State of Delaware eSupplier record in order to receive reimbursement payments, and the Division encourages use of electronic funds transfer for faster payment processing. Program inquiries may be directed to Kristin Pleasanton, Deputy Director, at 302-577-8284, or to the Delaware Division of the Arts through the program guidance materials and contact resources provided by the agency.

Submit applications at least six weeks before the field trip date and clearly demonstrate the educational value and arts quality of the proposed experience. Include complete transportation estimates and ensure all reporting requirements are met to maintain future eligibility.