The ArtsWA FY26 Arts in Education (AIE) Creative Start Project Grant supports arts integration projects for preschool to third-grade students in Washington State. The grant focuses on fostering creativity, academic growth, and emotional development through equitable access to arts education. Applicants can request $10,000 for one-year projects, with no matching funds required. The grant encourages partnerships among educators, families, teaching artists, and organizations to create inclusive, culturally relevant arts experiences.

Eligible applicants include Head Start or Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) providers, public schools, school districts, Educational Service Districts (ESDs), Tribal, state, or municipal agencies, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in Washington. Projects must center on arts integration, connecting an arts discipline with non-arts curricula to meet learning outcomes for both. Programs must provide tuition-free, sequential arts learning experiences for PreK-3 students.

Ineligible applicants include individuals, for-profit organizations, fiscally sponsored organizations, and those based outside Washington. Excluded projects include one-time events, materials-only proposals, tuition-based programs, and activities focused on grades 4 and above or basic education replacements. Materials and equipment costs are limited to 25% of the grant.

Applications open January 6, 2025, and close February 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Key steps include completing an eligibility quiz, providing project narratives addressing learning goals, equity strategies, partnerships, and submitting a work sample. Notifications of awards will be sent by May 9, 2025, with funded activities running from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Final reports are due July 31, 2026.

The grant covers costs such as project staff fees, stipends, professional learning, travel for teaching artists, and accessibility enhancements like closed captioning and translation services. Unallowable costs include hospitality expenses, out-of-state travel, capital projects, and stand-alone events unrelated to project goals.

Applications are scored on arts-integrated learning (30 points), project design (30 points), equity and access (25 points), and educator and artist support (15 points). Up to 15 additional points are awarded for projects in distressed counties or outside King County, Tacoma, and Olympia. Scores determine funding allocations until available resources are exhausted.

Grantees must track expenses, maintain clear documentation, and ensure accessibility for participants with disabilities. Appeals for unsuccessful applications are permitted under Washington Administrative Code guidelines. For more information, contact Alexis Sarah (AIE Project Manager) or Kalei Matsui (AIE Program Coordinator) via the provided contact details. Applications are submitted through the Submittable platform, with FAQs and resources available to assist applicants.