The Art Enhanced Education (AEE) Grant Program, made possible through the Maryland State Arts Council and administered by the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council (SWAC), is a competitive inter-disciplinary grant aimed at fostering creative project ideas and enhancing educational experiences. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to support and promote the arts within the community, specifically by integrating artistic disciplines into core curriculum areas. The grant seeks to encourage collaboration between arts and core discipline teachers, thereby enriching the learning environment and providing students with diverse educational opportunities.
The primary beneficiaries of this grant are teachers and, by extension, young people in Maryland schools. Teachers can apply individually or as a team, with teams consisting of one arts discipline teacher (music, theatre, or visual) and one core discipline teacher (math, science, reading, social studies, etc.). The program's impact goals include developing new, creative interdisciplinary projects that directly involve young people and improve the quality of their learning experience.
The program prioritizes in-school interdisciplinary programs. If a program involves a residency or commission, an outside artist(s) must be hired and paid from grant funds, and these artists must be Maryland residents. Grant funds cannot be used for substitute teachers. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate a clear relationship to the curriculum, artistic merit, effective and efficient use of funds, and a high-quality learning experience for young participants. Measurable results will likely be assessed through the evaluation of these criteria by a grants committee.
For new applicants, after submission, a grants committee member will contact them to arrange a meeting to discuss the application details. This step ensures a thorough review and understanding of the proposed projects. While the document does not explicitly detail the foundation's strategic priorities or theory of change beyond the immediate grant objectives, it is evident that SWAC aims to empower educators, cultivate artistic talent, and integrate arts education more deeply into the academic framework of Maryland schools, ultimately contributing to a more holistic and engaging educational system.
