Triangle ArtWorks

This year, public school arts educators in Orange County Public Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools can apply for grants of up to $250 to help with costs related to their creative and professional development. Specifically, eligible expenses could include,

• Travel expenses related to workshops or seminars, or to do research related to his/her art form, such as meals, lodging and transportation.
• Expenses related to workshops, master classes or coaching that will enhance the teacher’s abilities and/or allow the acquisition of Continuing Education Units, such as registration fees, substitute teacher costs, or required supplies.
• Purchase of supplies, materials or equipment necessary for the completion or production of work which is considered to be essential to the advancement of his/her teaching career.

• Student travel
• The completion of baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degrees
• Classroom supplies

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until that’s fiscal year’s fund is depleted.  More information and the application here.

Since 2017, Orange County Arts Commission has been conducting research, including surveys, meetings and listening sessions, to assess the needs of the arts community and specifically included sessions with public school arts educators.  Katie Murray, Executive Director, explains, “Upon researching the needs of our creative community, we found there were many financial barriers to our public school arts educators being able to continue their professional or creative development. The OCAC believes access to these opportunities makes them better instructors, but teachers spend so much of their own money on supplies for their classrooms, they usually don’t have anything left for themselves. This grant program is one small way we can assist teachers in pursuing their own development.” Through these grants, the Commission hopes to support these teachers, but also enhance the quality of education in these public school districts.