Mary Lou Anderson Grant – Deadline October 14, 2011
The Mary Lou Anderson Arts Enhancement Grant period is now open, and the grant application is available online. You may click this link to be routed to the PTA website and all MLA grant information. The National PTA Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant Program complements PTA’s long-standing commitment to quality arts education by providing funds to local PTAs to establish or enhance arts programs in one or more arts areas: visual arts, photography, music (including dance), and literature (including theater). A limited number of matching grants of up to $1,000 are awarded each year to local PTAs for student-centered programs focused on arts education. National PTA expects to fund three grants of up to $1,000 each. National PTA is placing a priority on funding projects that represent research based best practices in arts education. Specifically, PTA will fund arts programs that:
· Are of a sustained nature (rather than one time event) and
· Reach large numbers of at-risk students
Extensive research indicates that students receive the greatest benefit from programs that include sustained involvement in the arts. Therefore, National PTA is funding proposals for sustained programs that culminate in a performance, an art fair, an assembly, or a field trip, rather than those that request funding for one day or one-time events. Ideally the activities will take place throughout the school year and will involve families, students, schools and/or communities.
At risk encompasses a wide range of factors that may make it more difficult for a student or a segment of the student population to succeed in learning. Some factors that make students at risk are financial, familial, health, behavioral, social, and environmental or other community conditions.
Local PTAs must submit complete applications and match this grant dollar for dollar with PTA or other donated funds and/or in-kind resources.
Proposed program activities may take place from January 1, 2012 - May 15, 2012. Grant reports are due thirty days after the end of the grant project or on June 15, 2012, whichever comes first.
Please remember that the online grant must be completed in one sitting, as your answers and responses cannot be saved. There are two parts to the grant application, the Online Application and the Narrative Word document. You must submit your narrative with the online application. After reviewing the grant, it is highly suggested that you complete the grant narrative first, and then save that document so that, upon completion of the online grant application, you can simply attach/upload your narrative to the online grant application prior to submission.
