Arts in Education After-School/Summer Residency

The Arts in Education (AIE) After-School/Summer Residency Program is administered by the Arkansas Arts Council, a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. This council manages both federal and state funds to support artistic initiatives across Arkansas, distributing funds appropriated by the U.S. Congress through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and those appropriated by the Arkansas General Assembly. The AIE grants are part of a broader effort to enhance access to the arts and support community engagement through artist residencies in educational and non-traditional settings. The AIE After-School/Summer Residency Program is designed to provide financial support to place professional artists in community-based, non-school environments such as after-school and summer programs. These residencies can be held in venues including community centers, low-income housing projects, juvenile facilities, social service centers, recreation programs, boys and girls clubs, and similar organizations. The primary objective of the grant is to enrich the lives of K–12 students by integrating arts education into settings outside the regular school schedule. Eligible applicants can receive up to $10,000 through this grant. The funding requires a one-to-one match, with up to 50% of that match allowable as in-kind contributions. Importantly, only artists listed on the Arkansas Arts Council’s Arts in Education Artist Roster may be employed for these residencies, ensuring a standard of quality and professional experience. The program excludes use of funds for faculty or staff salaries, lobbying, start-up costs, and entertainment expenses among other restrictions. Applications must be submitted online via the Arkansas Arts Council’s Grants Portal, and the deadline for submission is February 6, 2026. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with the AIE Program Manager prior to applying to ensure clarity and completeness. The budget form, which is a required component of the application, is available as an Excel download and must be completed using standardized definitions provided in the guidelines. Evaluation of applications is conducted by a panel comprising members of the Arkansas Arts Council and field experts, with final decisions made during the May Council meeting. Notification of awards follows legislative review in July. Matt Boyce serves as the Arts in Education Program Manager and is the primary contact for this grant opportunity. He can be reached at 501-324-9769 for any inquiries related to the application process or program specifics.