Arts Learning is a grant program that offers funding for projects that help lifelong learners acquire knowledge, understanding, and skills in the arts. For the purpose of this program, arts learning happens when participants are engaged in creating, performing, and/or responding to art in a disciplined and intentional way with a teaching artist.
Arts learning is most effective as a sequential, in-depth process which may include imaginative thinking, problem-solving, goal setting, and teamwork. Quality arts learning experiences should lead to an increased understanding of the role that the arts play in daily life, improvements in communication skills, and a greater capacity for critical response.
Applicants are encouraged to use project grants strategically to enhance or expand service to Minnesotans, rather than expecting continued funding for the same activities year after year. Projects must provide participatory learning and engage learners with skilled teaching artists and high quality artistic experiences. The Arts Board supports continuing the learning cycle for all Minnesota residents. This program is designed to provide opportunities to share and celebrate the diverse cultures of Minnesotans and to deepen community connections through the love of learning.
Projects must be designed to incorporate and achieve at least one or more of the following:
- Create: Arts learners study works of art, acquire skills related to practicing the art form, understand the context of the art form guided by teaching artist(s), and build appreciation for the technical and/or aesthetic qualities of the art form. Study should include the acquisition of skills relevant to practicing the art form;
- Perform: Lessons include an opportunity for arts learners to share their work either through presentations or explanations of their artwork; and
- Respond: Arts learners are asked during the arts learning experience to describe, interpret, and evaluate their own artwork and that of others. Lessons include questions to guide arts learners in reflecting on the work.
The goal of the Arts Learning program is to ensure that all Minnesotans have opportunities to understand, develop, and experience the power of creative expression for themselves. Proposed projects must address at least one of the following program outcomes:
- Minnesotans develop skills and habits related to creativity and self-expression;
- Minnesotans develop skills in or expand their knowledge about an artistic discipline; and
- Minnesotans' arts learning experiences shape how they engage with the world around them.
Every project must have measurable outcomes. Grantees will be expected to evaluate their activities and be able to demonstrate measurable achievements related to outcomes.
Art Learning funds may be used for the following purposes:
- To create and execute and/or expand arts learning programming;
- For residencies in K-12 schools, summer intensives, and after-school programs;
- For projects that engage arts learners over an extended period of time to increase their proficiency in and understanding of an arts discipline, genre, or form;
- To make arts learning opportunities accessible to Minnesotans in community venues;
- To support one-time, multiple, or ongoing learning activities;
- To encourage projects that serve learners in multiple communities, counties, or regions;
- To explore new ways to integrate arts learning with learning in other subjects; and
- To provide professional development opportunities that increase the knowledge and skills of artists, program providers, and others who work in arts learning, so long as this is not the primary activity of the project.
Previous awardees can be viewed at: http://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/2020/index.htm