Overview

Arts Learning Presentation grants encourage opportunities for learners of all ages. Connecticut has a rich and varied landscape of arts organizations, venues, and providers of arts learning opportunities. Through its Arts Learning Presentation grants COA seeks to connect Pre-K through Grade 12 schools and citizens with a Connecticut arts experience.   Arts Learning Presentation Grants may support presenters* in providing arts access /exposure experiences for CT citizens - particularly those who might not otherwise be able to enjoy them.

Arts Presentation grant requests must range between $500 to $1,000 and can support a broad spectrum of arts experiences of artistic quality, in Connecticut, appropriate to a defined group of learners.  Experiences may include but not limited to field trips (within Connecticut), school or classroom visits, performances, informances, lecture demonstrations, etc., by artists or artist groups, experts, or arts providers. 

Applicants may apply only once in a funding year.  Applicants may request support for more than one experience (e.g. 1 fall and 1 winter) as long as the total request does not exceed $1,000.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are "presenters" who, without fee or compensation, provide or support arts experiences for a specific audience.  For the purpose of this grant, "presenters" are non-arts organizations, schools, libraries, PTOs, veteran groups, community centers, etc., who pay an arts provider such as an artist, group, or arts organization (e.g. theater, museum, ballet, symphony, etc.) so that a specific group of learners may enjoy the arts experience without fee or compensation to the presenter.  This program is open to a wide array of applicants as highlighted below. 

  • Pre-K through Grade 12 schools and Parent/Teacher organizations
  • Libraries
  • Community centers
  • Municipalities and municipal departments
  • Other non-profit, non-arts groups/organizations such as fairs, festivals, parades, etc. that provide arts experiences at no cost to the audience.* 

    *Applicants unsure of eligibility are encouraged to email bonnie.koba@ct.gov before applying.

Ineligible Applicants

  • Groups/Organizations that applied to COA's FY20 Supporting Arts, FY20 Arts Project, and FY20 Regional Initiative grant programs
  • Groups/Organizations/Individuals, such as an artist, artist group, or arts organization (e.g. theater, museum, ballet, symphony, etc.), who charge for an arts experience which they produce, create or perform 
  • Recipients of Directed Local Funds (aka Line Item recipient)
  • COA's Designated Regional Service Organizations
  • Associations, clubs or organizations to which membership or participation fees are paid
  • For-profit organizations and businesses

Application Deadline

The FY20 Arts Learning Presentation Grant Program is closed.  The deadline to apply was August 20, 2019.

Funding/Performance Period 

October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020  

Guidelines

FY20 Arts Presentation Guidelines  

Applicants must review COA's Grant Overview Guidelines

Required Budget Form

All applicants must complete and upload the following budget form during the on-line application process:

Arts Presentation Budget Form

How To Apply

Please review the guidelines before completing the application.  There is an useful Application Planning Template on Page 6.

Applications must be submitted on-line using SurveyMonkey.

Important Note:  SurveyMonkey does not allow you to save portions of an application.  Once you begin, you must complete the application in its entirety.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to review and use the Application Planning Template on Page 6 of the guidelines.

DUNS Number Requirement

All applicants must have a DUNS number when applying for a grant from the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA). COA began requiring a DUNS number on all grant applications in 2017 (FY18).  It is required on applications for any grant administered by COA that includes National Endowment for the Arts funding.  Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, straightforward process.  For more information, click here.  

NOTE:  A public school and/or a parent/teacher organization may have its own DUNS number; sometimes a school district will have a DUNS number; and sometimes the DUNS number is held by the town.

Contact

For information or if you have questions, contact Bonnie Koba via email at bonnie.koba@ct.gov.