Arts Educator Grant Guidelines 2026
Arts Educator Grants are available to public school arts educators in Orange County Public Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools seeking professional and/or artistic development. This program will provide two $1,000 grants and is designed to assist arts educators in advancing their careers. The grants are available to any public school educator in Orange County teaching in the performing or visual arts pursuing professional and/or artistic development opportunities that will take place throughout the 2026 calendar year. The application opens Monday, March 9; the deadline is 11:59pm on Monday, March 31.
ALLOWABLE EXPENSES
- Travel expenses related to workshops or seminars, or to do research related to art form, such as meals, lodging and transportation.
- Expenses related to workshops, 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 personal work which is considered to be essential to the advancement of his/her teaching career.
Arts Educator Grant Program funds may not be used for the following:
- Classroom supplies
- Student travel
- The completion of baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degrees
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a full-time preK-12th grade teacher in the visual or performing arts at any school within Orange County Public Schools or Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Must be returning to an OCPS/CHCCS classroom in the consecutive school year
TIMELINE
- Application window: Monday, March 9 – Monday, March 31, 11:59pm
- Award notification: No later than Monday, April 20
- Funds disbursement: No later than Monday, May 4
- Grant completion deadline: December 31, 2026
- NOTE: professional and/or artistic development may have already been completed earlier in 2026 and are eligible for reimbursement.
QUESTIONS?
- Contact Katie Murray at kmurray (at) orangecountync (dot) com
