The Arts WA FY26-FY27 Arts in Education (AIE) Sustaining Project Grant is a two-year funding opportunity to support arts learning projects across Washington State. Designed to sustain, deepen, and grow arts education for PreK-12 students, the grant provides funding to schools, nonprofits, Tribal communities, and other organizations. Applicants may request between $15,000 and $30,000, with final awards determined by panel scores and funding priorities. No matching funds are required.

Eligible applicants include public schools, school districts, Tribal or municipal agencies, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in Washington State. Applicants must demonstrate at least three years of arts education programming and propose tuition-free projects that provide sequential, interactive learning experiences. Ineligible organizations include individuals, for-profits, fiscally sponsored organizations, and those based outside Washington. Projects solely focused on materials, one-time events, or basic education replacement are also ineligible.

The grant application process begins January 6, 2025, with applications due by February 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Notifications of awards will be sent by May 9, 2025, and funded activities will occur between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2027. Final reports for each fiscal year are due by July 31 following project completion. Required documentation includes a Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov, a federal tax ID (EIN), and a Statewide Vendor (SWV) number for payment processing.

Eligible expenses include fees for project staff, professional learning, youth stipends, materials (up to 25% of the grant), transportation, accessibility enhancements, and administrative costs related to the project. Ineligible costs include out-of-state travel, hospitality expenses, capital projects, and stand-alone events not aligned with project goals.

Applications must be submitted through the Submittable platform and include sections such as eligibility confirmation, project narratives addressing learning goals, equity strategies, partnerships, and budget details. Supporting materials like work samples and project-specific documentation are also required. Applications will be scored on criteria including student learning outcomes, project design, equity and access, and educator and artist support. Additional points may be awarded to projects serving distressed areas, smaller nonprofits, and those outside major urban centers.

For questions or assistance, applicants can contact Tamar Krames, AIE Program Manager, or Kalei Matsui, AIE Program Coordinator, via email or phone. Accessibility accommodations and additional information about federal civil rights compliance are available to ensure inclusivity in the grant process.