Purpose: The purpose of the Arts in Education (AIE) Program is to encourage the development of comprehensive arts programs that affect the educational environment for all students and community members. Programs may include presentation of artists in a variety of projects including residencies, performances, workshops, and special projects designed to foster use of all available cultural resources, such as artists, museums, arts centers and organizations in order to augment the comprehensive study of the arts for students K-12 and beyond.
Sponsors of education projects should refer to the Arts in Education Artist Directory and Program Guide. This publication contains information on West Virginia artists available for education projects, along with more detailed information on the various AIE program categories. Copies of the directory are mailed to every school and arts organization in the state every two years. Additional copies are available from the WV Commission on the Arts.
Additional information is also available upon request to assist with the planning and application process for artist-in-residence projects.
The Mini-Grant program of the WV Commission on the Arts is designed for individual schools, or other sponsors, that do not present a season of events. Applications must be received at least six weeks prior to the starting date of the project and include artist contracts and resumes.
Sponsors may request 50% contract fee and expenses, up to a total of $1,000 per fiscal year, to assist with the presentation of West Virginia artists in performances, workshops, and other projects. The Mini-Grant program has limited funds that are available on a first come, first served basis so early application is advised. Applications from schools that have not already received a mini-grant for the fiscal year will receive funding priority. Sponsors that have already received a grant through the general grant program are not eligible for mini-grants in the same fiscal year.
* Individual artists are eligible to earn no more than 20% of the yearly Mini-Grant budget per fiscal year in total fee support, through the Mini-Grant program. Performing arts companies are eligible to earn no more than 50% of the yearly Mini-Grant budget per fiscal year in total fee support.
* If you are planning to apply for an artist-in-residence grant you must request a copy of our Artist-in-Residence Planning and Application Guide. Planning procedures, application review criteria, and required information for application are included in this material.
The Artist-in-Residence Program assists with the presentation of an artist in a series of programs that demonstrate his or her artistry and skills. Residencies are a partnership between the sponsor and the artist to increase school and/or community awareness of and interest in the arts. It should be organized to meet goals developed by each school or community as determined by a residency committee. The artist should be presented in more than just instructional activities. The residency should provide activities that include performances and/or exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, discussions, open studio or rehearsal time, etc., and should stress the creative aspects of the artist's work.
Requests for teaching or staff positions are not eligible for support through the Artist-in-Residence Program.
Support is available for short-term residencies (minimum length of five days) and long-term residencies (minimum length of eight months.)
For a short-term residency sponsors may request 50% artist contract fee, not to exceed $150 per day per artist, and 50% travel expenses. Sponsors may also request 50% cost of supplies needed for the residency up to a maximum of $150.
A letter of intent to apply for a long-term artist-in-residence grant must be submitted by December 1. The application deadline is March 1. Sponsors of long-term residencies may request 50% artist contract fee as well as expenses, and supplies needed for the residency, up to a maximum request of $12,000. Support for the same artist in a long-term residency is generally limited to two years. Commission support beyond two years is possible but will be considered at a descending level (up to 40% artist fee for a third year and 30% artist fee for a fourth and final year) pending documentation of the sponsor's ability to assume the increased fiscal responsibility and the need to extend the residency beyond the second year.
Assistance is available for a variety of special educational projects both inside and outside the classroom through the Arts in Education program. These special projects may include support for workshops, conferences and teleconferences, development of educational materials, academies, teacher in-service programs, programs targeting underserved students and audiences, the development of model or pilot programs, the creation of partnerships between schools and arts organizations, the development of new productions by professional companies to tour schools, and the use of new technologies for arts education. Contact the WV Commission on the Arts for a copy of the Special Projects guidelines.