AIE Creative Start Project Grant

The Creative Start Project Grant is a state-level funding opportunity administered by the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), aimed at enhancing early childhood education through arts integration. Designed for implementation during the 2027 fiscal year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027), this one-year grant supports projects that embed arts-based learning strategies into the academic experiences of preschool through third-grade students. The grant emphasizes equitable access to arts education and encourages collaboration among educators, schools, families, teaching artists, and organizations. Projects funded by this grant must not only be educational but must also foster emotional and creative development, using the arts as a strategic learning tool that connects with non-arts curriculum standards. The Creative Start Project Grant offers two fixed award levels—$6,000 or $10,000—without requiring matching funds, thereby lowering financial barriers for applicants. Eligible applicants include organizations and agencies based in Washington State, such as Head Start and ECEAP providers, public schools and districts, Educational Service Districts (ESDs), tribal, state, or municipal government agencies, and nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and current state registration. The projects must be 100% free of charge to all participating students and families, and must involve sequential teaching and learning experiences rather than one-time events. Projects that primarily consist of equipment purchases, field trips, or services to grades above third grade are not eligible. Allowable expenditures under the grant include payments for artists and teaching artists, curriculum development, professional development for educators, local travel, and project-related materials (up to 25% of the grant amount). Administrative costs, translation services, accessibility accommodations, and student transportation are also supported. However, the grant does not cover hospitality costs, construction, out-of-state travel, or projects that replace standard classroom instruction. To ensure equitable distribution of funds, priority consideration is given to projects that serve students in economically distressed counties or in institutions with a high percentage of low-income families. Applications must be submitted online through Submittable, with the grant portal opening on January 5, 2026, and closing on February 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. An informational session will be held on January 22, 2026. The application includes multiple components: eligibility confirmation, applicant information, conflict of interest and ADA compliance statements, and detailed project plans addressing evaluation criteria such as arts-integrated learning, project design, accessibility, and support for educators and artists. A sample of the proposed learning experience (in PDF or video format) must also be submitted. Proposals are scored by a panel comprising arts education leaders, ArtsWA commissioners, and staff, based on a 100-point scale with potential for up to 20 additional points for meeting funding priorities. Recommendations are reviewed by the ArtsWA Board with final award notifications issued by May 8, 2026. Projects are expected to begin by July 1, 2026, and conclude by June 30, 2027, with final reports due no later than July 31, 2027. Payments are disbursed in two equal installments after deliverables are submitted and approved. Applicants must have a UEI (SAM), EIN, and SWV number to receive funds. Accessibility and civil rights compliance are required, and all grantees must maintain proper documentation of expenses. Technical assistance and alternative application formats are available upon request, with contacts including Alexis Sarah, Project Manager ([email protected], 360-228-6359), and Kalei Matsui, Program Coordinator ([email protected], 360-252-9987). The grant does not recur automatically but is issued annually, and prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor for future cycles.

Connect arts and non-arts learning goals; show student creativity and reflection; include evidence of outcomes.