The Arts in Education Collaboration (AIEC) Grant Program is a funding initiative designed to foster collaboration and community partnerships to improve access to high-quality arts education for K-12 students in North Dakota. The program provides grants of up to $6,000 to eligible organizations including schools, school districts, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. These grants aim to support collaborative efforts between schools and arts organizations or between multiple schools within a district. The goal is to increase student access to sustained, high-quality arts education, with projects potentially taking place during regular school hours, after school, summer sessions, or professional development workshops.

Applicants are encouraged to consider their local needs when planning projects and are provided with flexibility in how funds can be utilized. However, applicants should note that the AIEC Grant is distinct from the Artist in Residence (AIR) Grant Program. An applicant may only receive either the AIR or the AIEC Grant in a fiscal year, not both. The program highlights collaboration among teachers or departments within a school, across multiple schools, or with external community arts resources.

The program also calls for applicants to reflect on the barriers to arts education in their communities, asking them to explore what might stand in the way of providing arts opportunities to all students. Projects are intended to address these barriers and create solutions for more accessible and inclusive arts programming. Additionally, applicants may consider ways to integrate the arts into school curricula and community initiatives to enhance student engagement and creativity.

The program requires a final report detailing the outcomes of the grant-funded activities, and applicants must meet specific deadlines for application submission and project completion. Applications that are incomplete or submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

The program officer for the AIEC Grant is Matthew Anderson, who can be contacted for support with the application process. The application deadline for the fiscal year 2026 is set for Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. CST. Projects must begin by July 1, 2025, and the final project report is due by April 30, 2026.