Project Grants in Education (PGE)

Project Grants in Education offered by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) are designed to support arts education initiatives that provide meaningful and participatory artistic experiences for Pre-K-12 students. These grants focus on cultivating vibrant learning environments by supporting schools, nonprofit organizations, and teaching artists across Rhode Island. Through this program, RISCA seeks to enhance the capacity of local arts educators and organizations while enriching students’ exposure to and engagement in the arts. The program aligns with the agency's broader mission to promote equitable access to cultural opportunities and is aligned with National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) priorities. Eligible projects must be structured as discrete sets of connected activities, emphasizing experiential learning and artistic exploration. Each project must include a minimum of eight contact hours with the same teaching artist(s) and a distinct group of learners, with sessions occurring on separate days. The projects must be in-depth, sequential, and participatory, incorporating one or more art forms. Examples of supported initiatives include artist residencies, curriculum development projects, and community-based workshops hosted by schools or cultural institutions. The learning must take place in a dedicated learning environment such as a school, arts center, or appropriate online setting. Funding is available up to $7,000 for organizations and up to $5,000 for individual artists. Individuals must be experienced teaching artists based in Rhode Island, able to demonstrate prior educational work with their target population. Organizations must be incorporated nonprofits or use an approved fiscal sponsor. Projects that receive support must be accessible to the public and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Projects that receive funding cannot be supported concurrently through another RISCA grant, nor can the organization be receiving RISCA’s General Operating Support. The application process includes eligibility screening followed by a panel review. Applications open on February 1 and close on April 1 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applicants must complete the process through the Euna Grants Portal and provide required documents, including a project budget (using RISCA’s template), artist bios, and work samples. A testimonial and a detailed learning plan aligned with National Core Arts Anchor Standards are also required. Evaluation criteria center on logistics, artistic vibrancy and impact, and educational value, including alignment with NEA’s artistic excellence and merit standards. Notifications of grant awards are expected in mid-June. Projects must occur within Rhode Island during the state’s fiscal year, running from July 1 to June 30. A final report is due by July 31 following the end of the project period. Although full funding is not guaranteed, partial awards of at least 50% of the request (minimum $1,000) are issued where appropriate, and grantees may modify their projects accordingly. All awards are contingent on funding from the Rhode Island State General Assembly and the NEA. For assistance with the application process or accessibility accommodations, applicants may contact Seamus Hames, RISCA’s Arts Education Program Director and 504 Accessibility Coordinator, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 401-222-6994.

Align project goals with NEA-defined underserved community impact. Ensure ADA compliance. Use strong work samples and detailed learning plans to demonstrate artistic merit.