Sturgeon River Pottery Fund for Education in the Visual Arts

The Sturgeon River Pottery Fund for Education in the Visual Arts is a grantmaking initiative established in 1999 by Steve and Karen Andrews, founders of Sturgeon River Pottery in Petoskey, Michigan. This fund was created to honor the couple’s 25th wedding anniversary and to celebrate their deep commitment to both visual arts and the local community that has supported their pottery studio for many years. The studio itself is a well-known local business located on Charlevoix Avenue in Petoskey, known for its handcrafted ceramics and community engagement. This grant fund supports visual arts education by providing modest financial assistance to K–12 art teachers in Emmet County, MI and Wolverine, MI. It is intended specifically for the purchase of visual art supplies to be used in classroom settings, such as for ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, crafts, photography, printmaking, or animation. Since its inception, the fund has awarded over $25,138 to local schools, empowering young students to engage with the arts through hands-on, creative projects. Eligible applicants must be art teachers serving elementary, middle, or high school students. The fund is not open to preschool educators; however, the foundation encourages those working with preschool-aged children to inquire separately for other potential funding sources. Teachers may request up to $250 per application, and all requested supplies must be used within the current school year. Importantly, funding is limited to upcoming projects; retroactive reimbursement for previously completed activities is not permitted. Applications for this grant are due by Friday, October 18th. Interested applicants must submit their proposals before initiating their projects, emphasizing the fund’s proactive support strategy. The Community Foundation administers the fund and provides application access through its website. Applicants can reach out with questions via email at grants@phsacf.org or by phone at 231-348-5820. The grant is not recurring on a fixed schedule, nor is it rolling; it operates on an annual cycle based on a published deadline. While the grant’s impact is hyperlocal, it plays a significant role in ensuring that local youth continue to have access to art materials and opportunities for creative exploration. The continued support from the Andrews family, along with Sturgeon River Pottery customers and employees, sustains this effort. The Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation serves as the fiscal steward of the grant. Their offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and they are located at 1349 US-131, Suite A, Petoskey, MI 49770. This community-rooted funding opportunity exemplifies how local philanthropy can make a tangible and creative difference in classrooms.