Arts in Education Lifelong Learning Veteran's Projects

The Arts for Lifelong Learning Mini-Grants Veteran’s Project, administered by the Arkansas Arts Council, is a targeted initiative designed to provide enriching arts learning experiences for veterans. This program supports community-based or governmental organizations in Arkansas that wish to host short-term arts residencies of up to 10 days. These residencies are conducted by professional artists and include hands-on artistic activities that are specifically geared toward engaging veterans. Importantly, participating artists do not need to be included on the Arts in Education Artist Roster, allowing for broader participation. The grant provides up to $2,000 in funding per project and does not require any matching funds, either cash or in-kind. This accessibility reflects the Council's commitment to removing financial barriers and increasing opportunities for veteran-centered arts programming. The program may also include an in-service workshop as part of its offering, providing additional educational value for the participants and hosting organizations. Applications for the Veteran’s Project are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, except during the month of September. The Council strongly encourages potential applicants to consult with the Arts in Education Program Manager before submitting an application to ensure eligibility and strengthen application quality. All applications must be submitted online through the Arkansas Arts Council's Grants Portal using the grant code “aac”. Each application must include a complete budget form, which is downloadable as an Excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is designed to automate calculations and applicants must complete all line items without leaving blanks. The budget must show equal total income and total expenses. Clarifications and additional details can be included on a second sheet of the Excel form, and applicants are encouraged to use the Standard Definitions provided by the Council for guidance in categorizing budget items. Eligibility is limited to institutions capable of hosting arts residencies for veterans. These may include, but are not necessarily limited to, community-based or governmental organizations. The program aligns with broader initiatives of the Arkansas Arts Council, which receives funding from both federal (through the National Endowment for the Arts) and state sources (via the Arkansas General Assembly). For further information, applicants may contact Matt Boyce, the Arts in Education Program Manager, via phone at 501-324-9769 or email.