Alabama State Council on the Arts
Curriculum-based Project Grants (Arts in Education)
The Alabama State Council on the Arts funds school-day arts projects tied to a school's curriculum, from $1,000 to $10,000, and private schools can apply. Most applicants match the grant dollar for dollar (Title I schools are exempt).
- Amount
- $1,000 to $10,000 (PreK-12 schools up to $35,000 a year across grants); dollar-for-dollar match
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- Unclear: ask the funder
- Deadline
- Next round not posted
- Who this fits
- Private school · MicroschoolPublic and private schools can apply for arts projects tied to a curriculum. A homeschool co-op is not named.Religious schools: yes, not for religious activities
- New schools
- Not stated for new schools
- Where
- Alabama only
- Last checked
- Oct 20, 2026on arts.alabama.gov
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- How an independent private school registers, since the guidelines say to apply as the 'school district'
- FY2028 application dates
- Whether a homeschool co-op can apply
- Whether a private school can use Live Arts Learning grants
- Whether for-profit schools count
What to do now
- Step 1: Read the current Council guidelines PDF (Educational Institutions and Curriculum-based Project sections)
- Step 2: Get your EIN, a UEI from sam.gov and an Alabama Buys vendor code (these take time)
- Step 3: Call or email the Arts in Education program manager to confirm your school's eligibility
- Step 4: Plan an arts project tied to your curriculum, with sample lesson plans
- Step 5: Line up the dollar-for-dollar match (Title I schools are exempt)
- Step 6: Apply in the online portal once the next guidelines (FY2028) announce an application window
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“Eligible applicants are: • Public and private schools.”
The state arts council's school grant names private schools. The guidelines say to apply as the 'school district' rather than the school building; an independent private school should ask the program manager how to register. A school administrator must be added as a collaborator. You need an EIN, a UEI from sam.gov and an Alabama Buys vendor code before applying. You must match the grant dollar for dollar (cash or donated goods, at least $1 in cash) unless you are a Title I school. Curriculum-based projects happen during the school day; after-school and summer arts programs go in a separate category. Churches and nonprofit religious groups may apply with arts proposals, but projects with sectarian or faith-based objectives are not funded (the limit is on the activity, not the applicant). General classroom supplies and marching band uniforms are not covered. The smaller Live Arts Learning grants ($500 to $5,000, no match, rolling, apply at least six weeks before the activity) take applications from school districts and arts organizations; whether a private school counts is not stated.
- Alabama public or private school (or a 501(c)(3) arts or community group partnering with schools)
- Arts project tied to an organized curriculum, with sample lesson plans or standards
- Dollar-for-dollar match (cash or in-kind; at least $1 in cash); Title I schools exempt
- No projects with faith-based objectives
- No general classroom supplies, marching band uniforms or unrelated materials
- School administrator added as a collaborator on the application
- EIN, UEI (sam.gov) and Alabama Buys vendor code (STAARS number) before applying
Timing
The FY2027 windows (April 1 to June 2, 2026 and July 1 to September 1, 2026) are closed. The FY2028 guidelines are not posted yet; if the pattern holds, the next window opens around April 1, 2027.