Letters of Intent for New Funds Accepted Until October 1, 2013

The Oregon Arts Commission, in partnership with the Oregon Cultural Trust, announces Connecting Students to the World of Work, a new grant program to support underserved students in grades 6 through 12 with professional learning opportunities in arts and creative career fields.  Letters of intent to apply for the new funds are due by October 1, 2013.  A small pool of competitive applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal, due on November 18, 2013.

Grants amounts will range from $20,000 to $50,000 and will support activity occurring between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. 

Connecting Students to the World of Work grants will support activities that connect students to the "world of work" by providing them with experiences and learning about professional elements of an artistic/creative career field.  Through internships/externships, mentorships, meaningful job shadows, and "professionals-in-residence" either in or out of school, funded activities will contribute to sequential learning for students to build skills in the arts.

Proposed activities must offer hands-on learning opportunities for students in grades 6-12, connect with Oregon state educational standards, and promote relationships between arts/cultural organizations and educational institutions.   Activities may also include connections to other creative industries.

The most competitive proposals will provide students with hands-on experiences with a professional arts/cultural organization, rigorously evaluate student learning outcomes, build arts-based skills and measure student progress towards college/career readiness, ultimately supporting Oregon's overarching 40-40-20 education goal.

Letters of intent and applications for Connecting Students to the World of Work grants must be submitted electronically through the Commission's online system, http://oregon.culturegrants.org/.  Grant guidelines are available at http://www.oregonartscommission.org/grant/connecting-students-world-work.

For more information: oregon.artscomm@state.or.us or (503) 986-0082.

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The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of the Oregon Business Development Department in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission's expertise in grant making, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.  The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.  

The Oregon Business Development Department works to create, retain, expand and attract businesses that provide sustainable, living-wage jobs for Oregonians through public-private partnerships, leveraged funding, and support of economic opportunities for Oregon companies and entrepreneurs. Visit www.oregon4biz.com for more information on doing business in Oregon. 

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