Top Arts Education Grants for 2026: Funding Creative Opportunities in Schools

Providing quality arts education often means finding the right funding. Here are key grants available in 2026 to help schools bring creative, inclusive art programs to life.

Crayola – Champion Creatively Alive Children®

Crayola offers grants of $2,500 plus $1,000 in products to K–8 schools that form “Creative Leadership Teams.” Perfect for integrating art across the curriculum. More information is available here.

Philanthropic Ventures Foundation – Arts & After-School Grants

The Philanthropic Ventures Foundation offers grants of up to $500 for public school teachers in specific Bay Area districts to support arts education during or after school. Eligible uses include supplies, visiting artists, instruments, or stipends. Teachers from districts like Redwood City, Menlo Park, and Mountain View can apply. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and funds are disbursed upon approval. More details can be found on their official website.

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

The National Endowment for the Arts will offer their Grants for Arts Projects in 2026, with awards ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 dollars. Public schools, districts, nonprofits, and local government units can apply. Key deadlines for 2026 are in February and July. A one-to-one match is required, and these grants support arts education and community projects. More details are available on the NEA’s official site.

U.S. Department of Education – Arts Programs

For 2026, the U.S. Department of Education will have arts education grants under the Assistance for Arts Education program. These grants typically support K–12 arts, like visual and performing arts, with past awards ranging from around 750,000 to 1 million dollars. The most recent application deadline was August 2025, so for 2026, details will come out closer to that time. Keep an eye on their updates for exact dates and amounts. Website.

Genesis Inspiration Foundation

The Genesis Inspiration Foundation provides grants for youth arts education, especially for under-resourced and Title I communities. Grants typically range from 50,000 to 100,000 dollars. For 2026, they started an expression of interest on January 4, and full application details will follow. Only nonprofits, schools, or cultural organizations can apply, not individual teachers or districts. This is a strong option if you’re planning large-scale arts initiatives.

Bartol Foundation (Philadelphia)

The Bartol Foundation provides arts education grants in Philadelphia, focusing on community-led programs with a social justice angle. They fund organizations with annual budgets around 500,000 dollars or less. For 2026, you must request a site visit by April 6, complete it by April 24, and submit the full application by May 1. The foundation supports arts programs of any discipline that emphasize inclusion and long-term relationships.

State-Level Programs

The Minnesota State Arts Board will have arts education grants for 2026 to 2027. Schools, districts, and nonprofits can apply for grants between 5,000 and 35,000 dollars, and no matching funds are required. The application deadline is February 6, 2026, with funding announced in August and the grant period running from October 2026 through September 2027. Projects can include residencies, workshops, or after-school arts programs.
In South Carolina, there are two key arts education grants for 2026. The Department of Education offers Arts Curricular Innovation Grants, with applications due December 15, 2025, for activities starting in early 2026. The South Carolina Arts Commission has a School Arts Support Grant, with up to 2,500 dollars available, and applications are due February 17, 2026, for activities beginning later in 2025. Both focus on enhancing arts instruction and integration in schools.
Proposition 28, passed in California, dedicates a continuous stream of funding to arts and music education in public schools. Starting in the 2023–2024 school year, it provides approximately one billion dollars annually. The funds are earmarked specifically for expanding arts instruction—like visual arts, music, dance, and theater—with priority on hiring dedicated arts educators. Schools receive funding based on enrollment, ensuring equitable access across the state. This is a key resource to sustain arts programs and grow your offerings. More Information