Artists in Schools Grant

The Artists in Schools (AIS) grant program, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA), supports arts residencies in Alaska’s public and nonprofit schools. Backed by the State of Alaska, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Rasmuson Foundation, this initiative aims to enhance classroom instruction by integrating professional artists into educational settings. Residencies must span at least two weeks, with a focus on providing arts experiences to students, professional development for teachers, and broader community engagement. AIS seeks to enrich and support school-based arts curriculum aligned with Alaska State Arts Standards. Eligible applicants include public and private nonprofit schools, school districts, and nonprofit local arts partners, including PTO/PTA groups, tribal nonprofits, and tribes with an interest in school arts partnerships. When a non-school entity applies, a letter from the school partner must confirm how the residency will support district-approved arts curriculum or state standards. The AIS program does not fund isolated arts experiences that lack curriculum integration or clear educational outcomes, nor does it support residencies shorter than two weeks. The grant provides up to $5,000 for individual schools and up to $15,000 for district-wide applications. Individual schools must contribute at least one-third of the total project cost as a cash match, while districts must match funds one-to-one. Allowable expenses include teaching artist fees (minimum $1,000/week), supplies, admin fees (capped at 20%), and travel-related costs such as housing and per diem for visiting artists. However, housing and per diem must be covered by the school or district as in-kind contributions. Teaching artists are expected to provide a minimum of four hours of contact time per instructional day. Applications must be submitted via the GOSmart system and must be complete to be considered. Round 1 applications are due May 15 for activities beginning after July 1, and Round 2 applications are due November 1 for activities beginning after January 1. Draft application reviews are available up to ten days before each deadline. Applications are reviewed by a panel and final funding decisions are made by the ASCA Council. Notification typically occurs within months of each deadline. Evaluation criteria include the residency’s alignment with curriculum, integration strategies, commitment to long-term impact, inclusion of professional development, and detailed plans for community engagement. Applications must also describe the community served, provide artist documentation, and include marketing and publicity plans. New applicants must contact the Arts in Education Program Director, Laura Forbes, before submitting. Contact can be made via email at laura.forbes@alaska.gov or by phone at 907-269-6682.

Strong applications connect residencies to curriculum, involve school staff in planning, and include measurable goals and professional development.