The 2025 Arts Education Grants offered by Saratoga Arts' Community Arts Regrant Program aim to fund arts education projects in public Pre-K-12 schools and community-based settings within Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profits, individual artists, and other entities working with a fiscal sponsor or a partnering school or community organization. The grants provide amounts of $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000, with applicants allowed to request funding for up to three projects across various categories, with a combined cap of $5,000.
Arts Education projects must be sequential, skills-based, and involve a minimum of three hands-on learning sessions. Projects can occur in-school, after-school, or in community settings such as libraries or arts centers, with different criteria depending on the setting. In-school projects must align with New York State Learning Standards in the Arts and have a letter of commitment from the partner school. For community-based programs, a letter of support from the partner organization is required. Projects should be designed collaboratively, with shared educational and artistic goals, and include plans for evaluation and reflection.
Funding prioritizes expenses related to artist fees, arts materials, and other project-related costs. However, the grant cannot replace certified arts teachers' roles or fund projects that are recreational, therapeutic, or religious in nature. Projects must take place between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, and be located within the applicant’s county of residence. Ineligible applicants include private and charter schools, organizations receiving direct NYSCA funding, and entities outside the service area.
Applicants can attend grant information sessions or seek technical assistance until November 1, 2024, for feedback on their applications, which must be submitted by November 22, 2024. An evaluation process by a panel of arts professionals will follow, with funding decisions based on the project’s artistic merit, community engagement, feasibility, and alignment with grant priorities. Recipients must fulfill grant terms, including attending a grant reception, crediting Saratoga Arts in promotional materials, and submitting a final report. An appeals process is available for applicants who believe procedural errors affected their funding decision.
