Public school arts educators in Orange County Public Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools are invited to apply for small grants of up $250 to help with costs related to their creative and professional development. The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) created the Arts Educator Professional Development Grant Program in 2018 to assist arts educators in advancing their careers. These small grants can assist with professional and artistic development, including:
- Travel expenses related to workshops or seminars, or to do research related to his/her art form, such as meals, lodging and transportation.
- Expenses related to workshops, master classes or coaching that will enhance the teacher’s abilities and/or allow the acquisition of Continuing Education Units, such as registration fees, substitute teacher costs, or required supplies.
- Purchase of supplies, materials or equipment necessary for the completion or production of work, which is essential to the advancement of his/her teaching career.
The grants are available to any public school educator in Orange County teaching the in the visual or performing arts. Educators may apply online for projects or programs taking place before June 30, 2021. The application period will be open through midnight on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at https://artsorange.org/ocacgrants/artsedgrants.
This grant program is the result of research the OCAC conducted in 2017 and early 2018 to identify the needs of the Orange County arts community. Local arts educators expressed a need for assistance in obtaining Continuing Education Units through professional development opportunities and assistance in advancing their creative growth. By helping arts educators continue to grow in their art form, the OCAC hopes to sustain the quality of arts education in our public schools.
