FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Arts Council is now accepting applications for the Teacher Initiated Project grant program to help teachers bring professional artists into the classroom for one- to four-week residencies in the spring of 2008.  The grants range from $540 to $2,160, depending on the length of the residencies. During these planned residencies, artists demonstrate their art forms and provide students and teachers in elementary, middle and high schools with repeated opportunities to learn about and experience the making of art.  Artists collaborate with teachers to design and implement innovative programs, and provide teachers with the tools to continue to utilize the arts after the residency is completed.

Teachers and schools participating in this program will utilize artists from the Kentucky Arts Council’s Arts Education Roster, which includes artists teaching in dance, folk arts, literary arts, media, music, storytelling, theatre and visual arts from diverse cultural perspectives.  Artist selection for the roster is based on artistic excellence and the requisite skills and competencies to work with teachers and students in designing and implementing relevant arts programs. The Kentucky Arts Council’s Arts Education Roster is available online at http://artistdirectory.ky.gov/aer/.    

Teachers who wish to apply for this grant must submit an Intent to Apply form by September 15, 2007 and an application by October 15, 2007. For detailed Guidelines and Instructions, Intent to Apply forms and Applications, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog6/tip_guid.htm.  For more information about the Teacher Initiated Project and other arts education grants and services provided by the Kentucky Arts Council, contact John S. Benjamin, Arts Education Program Director at 1-888-833-2787 or john.benjamin@ky.gov .

Funding for the Kentucky Arts Council is provided by the Kentucky State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

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The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet that creates opportunities for Kentuckians through the arts. Every $1 in grant funds awarded by the Kentucky Arts Council helps grantees secure $15 in earned income and matching funds from individuals, philanthropic sources and other levels of government.