Education Resource Grants

The Delaware Division of the Arts administers the Education Resource Grants program to strengthen arts education opportunities for Pre-K through 12 students throughout Delaware. The program is designed to encourage partnerships between Delaware public schools, school districts, nonprofit arts organizations, and teaching artists in order to deliver standards-based arts learning experiences during and outside the school day. The grant program supports projects that deepen student engagement in the arts, integrate arts instruction with other academic subjects, and expand opportunities for students and teachers to participate in curriculum-based arts programming. The Division has established goals focused on strengthening school-based arts education, increasing the capacity of arts organizations to serve schools, and encouraging instructional innovation through arts-based learning models. Education Resource grants are available to nonprofit arts organizations based and chartered in Delaware that are eligible for General Operating Support funding, as well as Delaware public schools, school districts, and consortia with established arts curriculum and staff serving Pre-K through 12 students. Only one Education Resource application from an arts organization or school as the lead applicant may be submitted each year. The Division will not accept applications submitted through fiscal agents, and applicants must ensure that projects augment rather than replace existing arts instruction required by state regulations. All projects must align with the Delaware Standards for Visual and Performing Arts. Virtual programming is eligible for support as long as it complies with all other program requirements. Funding may support up to 30 percent of the direct cash expenses associated with a project, with a maximum grant request of $15,000. All grants are funded on a matching basis, and applicants must provide a one-to-one cash match. Matching funds may not come from the National Endowment for the Arts, although certain other federal grant sources may be used when permitted by authorizing legislation. Allowable direct expenses include artist or facilitator fees, substitute teachers, school staff planning time outside regular school hours, consumable project supplies, and third-party space rental costs. Allowable indirect expenses may include transportation within Delaware, prorated staff salaries, and in-house production costs tied to the education project. Ineligible expenses include activities outside Delaware, meals and refreshments, awards or cash prizes, capital equipment purchases, and expenses incurred outside the grant period. Applicants are required to complete the application through the smARTDE grants management system. Required application components include an organizational profile, narrative responses describing the project and its alignment with state arts standards, a project budget, resumes or curriculum vitae for teaching artists, evaluation and assessment tools, letters of support from project partners, and optional support materials. Arts organizations not also applying for General Operating Support must additionally submit an IRS Form 990 and a board list with committee assignments and contact information. The Division notes that all submitted materials are subject to public inspection under Delaware Freedom of Information laws, and applicants are advised to redact confidential information before submission. Applications are evaluated through a competitive review process that includes both internal completeness review and external panel evaluation. Scoring criteria are divided among quality of arts instruction, assessment, and management. Reviewers assess whether educational goals align with Delaware standards, whether instruction meaningfully engages students in the arts, whether projects demonstrate potential to improve instructional methods, and whether selected artists and organizations are qualified for the proposed work. Assessment criteria focus on measurable student learning goals and effective evaluation tools, while management criteria emphasize collaboration among partners and realistic budgeting supported by multiple funding sources. For the Fiscal Year 2028 grant cycle, funding must support projects occurring between September 1, 2027 and August 31, 2028. The annual application deadline is March 1, 2027 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Based on prior cycles, the application portal is expected to open in December 2026 through the smARTDE system. Applications are reviewed by an external committee, after which the Delaware State Arts Council makes funding recommendations at its June 2027 meeting. Final award notifications are expected after July 1, 2027 following approval of the state budget. Grantees are required to submit final reports by September 30, 2028 and must comply with all grant assurance requirements, including accessibility compliance, public acknowledgment of funding support, and reporting obligations. Questions regarding the program may be directed to Deputy Director Kristin Pleasanton at 302-577-8284.

Align project goals clearly with Delaware Standards for Visual and Performing Arts; demonstrate measurable student learning outcomes; provide strong partner collaboration evidence; use qualified teaching artists; ensure the project budget reflects diversified support sources and realistic implementation plans.