First Step Grants

Audio workshop, Jack Straw Cultural Center

Jack Straw Cultural Center's education program gives students the opportunity to work with professional artists to learn about the arts and to develop ways to express themselves creatively. Photo courtesy of Jack Straw.

First Step Grants

*APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED to 5pm, Friday, April 3, 2020

Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000. Matching funds from the applicant are required.

First Step grants support new and growing partnerships between schools, arts organizations, and community partners. Partners work together to identify and support the “first steps” in attaining high-quality arts learning programs. These programs work toward long-term, participatory, meaningful arts learning experiences for all students. First Step programs must reach K-12 students as part of the regular school day.

First Step grants can support:

Arts instruction for K-12 students as part of the regular school day.
Program development, such as a needs-assessment or curriculum development.
Professional development for arts educators.

This grant does not support extra-curricular arts education. It does not support programs that only provide one-time exposure to an arts event.

Application Information

The first Step grant application cycle will open on January 27, 2020 and close on April 3, 2020.

First Step Application Guidelines

How to Apply for a First Step Grant

Building the Story

Budget Support

Planning for Equity

Apply Online Via ZoomGrants

The ZoomGrants online application system is simple and easy to use. Read the Guidelines before starting your online application. Suggested browsers for ZoomGrants are: Firefox, Chrome, or Safari. Internet Explorer is not recommended.

Apply Online via Zoom Grants