2006/07 Get Arts in the Schools Program -GASP

The Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) and the Arts Council of Mendocino County (ACMC) are pleased to announce a second year of funding for GASP (Get Arts in the Schools Program). GASP, a partnership between the two agencies, is a program that will fund artist workshops and live performances in a limited number of Mendocino County schools in the coming school year. The goal of the program is to infuse the arts in the core curriculum and to involve and expose school children to quality, educational, curriculum-based artistic experiences.

How Much Money is Available?
The total amount available for grants in the 2006/2007 school year is $14,000. Up to 20 grants will be awarded.

Who is Eligible to Apply?
To be eligible for a GASP grant, an ARTIST must meet all four of the following criteria:
1.     To be eligible, an artist must be a professional in their art field
2.     To be eligible, an artist must have prior experience teaching in a classroom setting
3.     To be eligible, an artist must reside in Mendocino County
4.     To be eligible, an artist must be a current member of Arts Council of Mendocino County. To join the ACMC, call (707) 961-5449 or...to join the ACMC, click here www.artsmendocino.org/html/membership.htm

In order to be eligible for a GASP grant, a SCHOOL or AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM must meet both of the following criteria:
1.     To be eligible, a school must be serviced by MCOE (private schools are currently ineligible)
2.      To be eligible, a school must be able to present a GASP program during the regular school day or during an after school program.

If I Qualify, How Do I Apply?
The first step is to submit a letter of interest. For artists, that deadline is Friday, July 14, 2006. For Schools or After School programs, that deadline is Friday, September 29, 2006. Letters of interest should briefly state a proposed workshop or performance (for artists), or a need and desired outcome of hosting an artist workshop or performance (for teachers/schools/after-school programs). Letters can be emailed to director@artsmendocino.org with subject “GASP Program” or mailed to (postmark OK):

Arts Council of Mendocino County GASP Program P.O. Box 1393 Fort Bragg, CA 95437

The Arts Council will respond to all inquiries. Qualified artists will be asked to formally apply. The deadline for artist applications is September 11, 2006. Funding for this program will be available starting in November 2006.

2006-07 GASP GRANT GUIDELINES FOR ARTISTS

Questions regarding the GASP program should be addressed to Anna Kvinsland, Executive Director of the Arts Council of Mendocino County. Anna can be reached at (707) 961-5449 or director@artsmendocino.org.

Further information about the program, as it becomes available, can be found here on the Arts Council’s website.