Arts in Alternative Education Community Partnership Grants

The Arts in Alternative Education Community Partnership is a state-administered grant program offered by the Oklahoma Arts Council to expand access to arts education for students attending alternative education schools across Oklahoma. These schools serve students who face elevated risks of not completing high school due to circumstances such as housing instability, trauma, absenteeism, parenting responsibilities, or involvement with the juvenile justice system. The program is designed to address these challenges by integrating structured arts education opportunities that foster engagement, skill development, and creative expression while also supporting academic progress, including the completion of required Fine Arts credits. The Oklahoma Arts Council, as the administering agency, leverages the expertise and flexibility of nonprofit arts organizations to deliver programming directly to alternative education sites. The program emphasizes building sustainable partnerships between nonprofit arts providers and schools, allowing for tailored programming that meets both institutional and student-level needs. Funded activities may include artist residencies, in-school workshops, performances, and field trips, all of which must prioritize hands-on, sequential arts learning. Each participating student is expected to receive a minimum of six hours of direct engagement in arts instruction, with preference given to programs offering more extensive involvement. Funding through this program is capped at $30,000 per organization, with a requirement that the requested amount not exceed 30 percent of the applicant organization’s operating budget. A 1:1 matching requirement applies, with up to 50 percent of the match allowable as in-kind contributions. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis and may be used for a defined set of allowable expenses, including teaching artist fees, travel costs (excluding food), consumable supplies, contracted administrative services, and limited administrative overhead capped at 20 percent of the award. The program explicitly excludes costs such as capital expenditures, scholarships, hospitality expenses, and activities tied to religious or political advocacy. Eligible applicants are arts-focused nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status incorporated within the State of Oklahoma. Applicants must be in good standing with both the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Oklahoma and must possess a valid SAM Unique Entity Identifier to receive federal funds. The program requires applicants to demonstrate organizational capacity, compliance with eligibility verification processes, and alignment with program goals focused on student engagement, attendance improvement, and educational outcomes. The application process begins with organizational verification within the Oklahoma Arts Council’s grant portal, which may take up to 15 days for approval. Once verified, applicants must complete and submit a full application through the portal by the stated deadline. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including artistic quality, program design, and alignment with program objectives. Selected applicants undergo a pre-award process before receiving formal notification and entering into a grant agreement. The timeline for the current funding cycle includes an application opening date of January 15, 2026, and a submission deadline of March 15, 2026. The funded project period spans July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Grantees are required to participate in orientation sessions, periodic check-ins, and reporting activities, including mid-year and final reports tied to payment disbursements. The program is recurring in nature, typically offered annually, and includes structured oversight to ensure program quality and accountability. Support and technical assistance are available through designated Oklahoma Arts Council staff, including program-specific and administrative contacts. These contacts assist with eligibility questions, application access, and grant management throughout the lifecycle of the award.

Prioritize strong artistic quality and demonstrate measurable student engagement and outcomes