The Equity in Arts Learning for Colorado Youth (EAL) program offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 to increase access to arts education for historically marginalized youth in Colorado, ages 4-21. Funded projects will involve professional artists and culture bearers working directly with youth, demonstrating the value of arts education and encouraging sustained community support for such programs.
Key Objectives:
The initiative aims to:
Dismantle systemic barriers to arts education for marginalized and minoritized youth.
Strengthen efforts to provide sustained access to arts education.
Heighten awareness of the impact of arts education to increase resources and access statewide.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be Colorado-based nonprofits or PK-12 schools.
Schools must partner with an artist or arts organization.
Nonprofits must engage with a school or have a strong history of working with youth, be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State, and have a Colorado-based staff member actively involved in the project.
Project Requirements:
Locations: Projects can take place in schools, community centers, libraries, nonprofit arts sites, or other youth-accessible locations.
Focus: Projects should prioritize relationship-building and depth of learning, ideally lasting six weeks or longer. Youth should be involved in the project design, reflecting their identities and needs.
Accessibility: Projects must be free of charge for youth participants and held in easily accessible locations.
Artists: Teaching artists involved must have a proven track record of working with youth and share cultural or identity-based similarities with participants.
Evaluation: Time and resources should be allocated for measuring the project's impact, with results collectively shared.
Timeline:
Letters of Intent (LOI): Accepted from September 26, 2024 to November 22, 2024.
Invitations to Apply: Sent by January 20, 2025.
Full Application Due: February 21, 2025.
Award Notifications: Mid to late April 2025.
Project Period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
