The Kentucky Arts Council’s Teaching Art Together Grant supports Kentucky teachers in bringing professional teaching artists into preK-12 classrooms for one- to ten-day artist residencies. The program is designed to engage students in the creative process and integrate the arts into the daily curriculum, reinforcing Kentucky’s Academic Standards in Visual and Performing Arts or Reading and Writing (literary arts). These residencies are collaborative efforts where teachers and artists jointly design learning experiences, with a focus on both in-class instruction and lasting professional development for educators.

The grant period runs from September 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. Applications are due by July 31, 2025, and must be submitted through the GO Smart Application Portal. Teachers at public or private preK-12 schools and representatives of Kentucky nonprofit organizations serving minors (such as juvenile detention centers or group homes) are eligible to apply. Each residency must involve at least one core group of students who receive ongoing engagement throughout the residency. Teaching artists must be selected from the Kentucky Arts Council’s Teaching Artists Directory.

Grant funds cover only the artist’s fee, set at $80 per session, up to a maximum of four sessions per day ($320/day). Residencies may not exceed 10 days, and no more than 40 total residency days may be awarded to an artist in one fiscal year. Schools are responsible for supply costs, per diem, and any culminating events beyond school hours. All sessions must be conducted during school hours, except for professional development time (limited to three hours per 20 hours of residency).

Applications are evaluated based on criteria in three main areas: Planning and Implementation (50 points), Measuring Impact (30 points), and Accessibility and Cultural Equity (20 points). Proposals must align with the Kentucky Arts Council’s core values and demonstrate cultural equity, inclusion of students with disabilities, and engagement with the community.

The application process includes obtaining administrative approval, selecting an artist, co-developing a residency plan, and submitting all required information via the online system. A signed Grant Agreement Form is required, and final reports must be submitted within 15 days of residency completion for artist payment to be released. Artists must also submit a separate annual report as members of the Teaching Artist Directory.

Support from the Kentucky Arts Council includes technical assistance, help developing the residency plan, and guidance on accessibility. For assistance or more information, applicants are encouraged to contact Cynthia Warner, Arts Education Director, at cynthia.warner@ky.gov or 502-782-4982.