The COMPAS School Arts Fund (SAF) is made possible by gifts to United Arts Fund, a fund-raising program of COMPAS.

* Download full guidelines and application forms» FOR FY2011

MISSION
The mission of the School Arts Fund is to support partnerships that use the arts to strengthen curriculum in schools, kindergarten-12th grade. The School Arts Fund supports partnerships between the arts community and up to four (4) metro area schools and teachers to provide students with coherent, creative experiences within the k-12 curriculum.

The arts play an ever-expanding role in education. All students, regardless of economic background, neighborhood, or any social barrier should have access to art in their education. Any new or existing collaborative efforts, projects, activities, or programs that demonstrate the value of the arts in curriculum will be considered.

Application Deadline: December 7, 2009, 4:00 PM.

Requests up to $5,000 will be considered.

Applications must be received at COMPAS by 4:00 p.m.
Postmarked applications will not be accepted.

304 Landmark Center, 75 W 5th Street, St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 292-3287 Fax: (651)292-3258

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APPLICANT ORGANIZATION ELIGIBILITY
1. Applicant organization must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization registered with the IRS. No fiscal agents. One proposal per applicant.

2. Applicant must be located in the twelve-county greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Specifically, these counties are Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington, Isanti, Wright, Chisago in Minnesota, and Pierce and St. Croix in Wisconsin.

3. The partnership must involve a k-12 school and educator(s), i.e., certified teacher(s) and/or school based administrator(s) as well as experienced artists. The proposed programs must clearly strengthen the curriculum of the partnering k-12 school(s). The partnering k-12 schools must be located in the twelve-county greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Up to four k-12 schools may be involved in the partnership.

4. One of the partners must have at least a three-year track record of producing art activities relevant to the proposed project. K-12 schools with 501(c)(3) status must involve outside artists or art producing organizations as partners.

5. A letter of support from each partner must be provided. Projects with yet-to-be-named partners are ineligible.

6. If your project is funded but not completed within two years of the contract date, you will forfeit the remaining amount due and be ineligible for further SAF funding.
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REVIEW CRITERIA
Proposed projects can be new or a continuation of existing successful collaborations. Participating artists should receive compensation. The Grant Allocation Committee will review proposals on the following basis:

The need for the proposed arts education activity;
—Is meeting this need likely to strengthen school curriculum?
—Why is it important that the need be addressed by the School
Arts Fund?

The proposed art education activity/program goals and objectives;
—Are the proposed art education activity/program goals and objectives clear and realistic?
—Are the proposed art education activity/program goals and objectives consistent with the School Arts Fund mission?

The potential of the proposed art education activity/program to meet or continue to meet the specified need;
—Is the proposed activity likely to effectively address the stated need?
—Is the proposed activity likely to meet the needs of educators, parents, students or schools of the 12 county greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area?

The extent to which the applicant has worked in collaboration with the partner(s) in the development of the program;
—To what extent do all collaborators contribute to making the proposed activities happen?

The quality of the proposed collaboration;
—How well does the partnership meet the needs of each partner involved?

The experience related to the project;
—To what extent is there a proven track record of producing projects of comparable undertaking?

Budget;
—Does the budget address the stated need?
—Is the budget reasonable (expenses appropriate, income goals realistic, etc.)?

After submitting an application, it is the applicant’s responsibility to call (651-292-3249) to verify that your application was received. COMPAS is not responsible for delays or loss by the U. S. Postal Service or other couriers. COMPAS reserves the right to reject proposals that are incomplete, illegible, or not submitted in accordance with the application instructions. Electronic mail or faxed materials will not be accepted.

Also, check our website for Greater Minnesota School Arts Fund and the General Fund (GF) guidelines. Many school projects are eligible to apply to the these programs.
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REVIEW PROCEDURES
The Grant Allocation Committee will evaluate the proposals and make final recommendations.

The Grant Allocation Committee will include artists, arts administrators, educators, community leaders and the COMPAS grant allocations director.


APPLICATION TIMELINE
Decisions will be announced in April 2010.

One copy of the grant contract must be signed and returned to COMPAS along with a W-9 and recent copy of the State Attorney General’s letter within sixty days after it has been mailed to grant recipient. A delay beyond sixty days in signing the contract and returning it to COMPAS along with the completed W-9 and State Attorney General’s letter may result in the rescinding of the SAF grant.

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