Arts Learning Grants 2025

The Oregon Arts Commission's Arts Learning Grants program aims to foster high-quality projects that enhance learning in and through the arts for K-12 students. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by promoting artistic engagement and education, recognizing the vital role of arts in student development. The program seeks to bridge the gap between artists and educators, facilitating a knowledge exchange that enriches both teaching practices and student experiences. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are K-12 students who will gain responsive learning opportunities in the arts. The program also targets artists and educators, fostering collaboration and professional development. The overarching impact goals are to improve the achievement, skills, and attitudes of learners by providing access to high-quality arts education. This focuses on holistic development, recognizing that arts education contributes to academic success, critical thinking, and personal growth. Key priorities for this grant include the quality of learning opportunities, the responsiveness of the project to specific population needs, and the appropriateness of the selected teaching artists' skill sets. Artistic excellence and merit are also critical considerations. The program emphasizes strong project support, evaluating the readiness of staff, the viability of recruitment plans for target populations, and the commitment to supporting teaching artists throughout the project. The clarity and relevance of the project budget are also reviewed to ensure efficient and effective use of funds. Expected outcomes include enhanced artistic skills, improved attitudes towards learning, and increased achievement among K-12 students. Measurable results will be assessed based on the articulation of changes in learners as a result of the project and the viability of the process used to measure these changes. This structured evaluation approach ensures that projects are not only well-intentioned but also demonstrably effective in achieving their stated goals. The Oregon Arts Commission's strategic priority through this program is to strengthen arts education across the state. While a specific "theory of change" is not explicitly detailed, it can be inferred that the commission believes that by investing in high-quality arts learning opportunities and fostering collaboration between artists and educators, K-12 students will experience improved outcomes in their artistic abilities, academic achievement, and personal development, ultimately contributing to a more culturally enriched and educated populace.