Visiting Artist Grants

Grants to bring artists and their expertise into the classroom

Program Details

Who

Any TK-12 grade teacher working at a low-income public school in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara County. Limit of three grants per school and one grant per teacher.

Low-Income Eligibility Guidelines:

All Title 1 schools are eligible for all grants within a given program. If your school does NOT have Title 1 status, the following percentages of students eligible for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch applies:

  • 50% or more – Eligible for all grants within a given program
  • 30% to 49% – Limited to 2 grants
  • Under 30% – Staff will consider requests on a case by case basis
What

Grants of up to $1,000 can pay for the artist’s time and classroom materials for the lesson. Teachers can apply to bring an artist or art historian to their classroom. These are visual and material artists who would complement the lesson plan. Examples: painter, sculptor, wood carver, weaver.

When

Send your application in as soon as it is ready – money is limited. Funding will be immediately available, if approved.

How

It’s easy! Scan and email your application to cbentley@venturesfoundation.org with a description of your idea on school letterhead, including the following information:

  • Date and Visiting Artist in the Classroom notation
  • School and district name, address, telephone and fax number
  • Your name, grade level and email address
  • Name, address and phone number of the visiting artist
  • Title 1 status and/or percentage of students eligible for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch
  • Total amount requested
  • Description of your art project
  • How many students will benefit
  • Itemization of how the money will be spent and itemized costs of artists and art resources needed for project (we encourage same grade level teachers to apply together to maximize this resource grant)
  • Include how many hours the artist will give instruction
  • Applications must be signed by the submitting teacher and the school principal
  • Who the check should be made payable to (school, district or PTA only) and the address the check should be mailed to
Questions?

For questions, please contact us at (510) 645-1890 or cbentley@venturesfoundation.org.

Teachers are encouraged to apply to have an artist visit their classroom! Teachers who might not have expertise in the art form presented by the visiting artist, are often able to use what they learn during the visiting artist’s presentation to model future lessons.

This program is working to fill a large need, and makes a difference in the number of students who receive inspirational, quality arts education. Interactive workshops from professional artists in the community are motivating to students, and increase both student and teacher morale.

We will begin accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year on September 15th.

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This program is made possible with funding by The Geballe Family and the Maxwell | Hanrahan Foundation.

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“This grant definitely helped me in my teaching by reinforcing once again how important the arts are for children!  Moreover, the materials and technique are doable in the classroom.  The visiting artist inspired my students and their teacher!”

 

– Andrea Soltero, fourth grade teacher

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