The Arts Education Community Learning (AE-CL) grant, administered by the Tennessee Arts Commission, supports innovative arts learning projects in community or non-traditional school settings. This program encourages creative engagement with the performing, visual, traditional folk, or literary arts for participants of all ages, focusing on hands-on learning and measurable educational outcomes. Applicants are required to focus on a single project rather than broader programming and must demonstrate thoughtful planning, active artist involvement, and comprehensive evaluation components.
Applicants can request up to $18,000 for projects occurring between July 1, 2025, and June 15, 2026. Eligible projects may include community-wide events with strong educational components, after-school arts programs, or teacher training activities. Public or private PK-12 schools are not eligible to apply. The project must involve at least three sessions with professional teaching artists and include a curriculum-based approach and assessment plan. Required documents include a lesson plan and evaluation tools. Projects serving marginalized or diverse populations are encouraged, aligning with the Commission's commitment to accessibility.
Grant funds can cover education staff salaries, contracted professional fees, in-state travel, space rental, marketing, and consumable supplies. However, funding is restricted for activities like field trips, competitions, performances with minimal learning engagement, and the purchase of permanent materials or equipment. Applicants must also avoid duplicating funding requests in other Commission grant categories.
Applications are evaluated on artistic, cultural, and educational value; alignment with the organization’s mission; responsiveness to community needs; support for artists; and quality of planning and evaluation. Applications must be submitted online via the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Online Grants System by January 13, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
First-time applicants are encouraged to contact the program director, Chris Sweatt, to verify eligibility. This program does not require a dollar-for-dollar match but encourages applicants to show matching funds as part of their budget. Grant funding is reimbursable, requiring recipients to initially cover costs and complete reporting requirements for reimbursement.
