General Information on the Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant Program

Grant Overview:
The National PTA Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant Program complements PTA’s long-standing commitment to quality arts education by providing funds to local PTAs to establish or enhance arts programs in one or more arts areas: visual arts, photography, music (including dance), and literature (including theater).

Funding Available:
A limited number of matching grants of up to $1,000 are awarded each year to local PTAs for student-centered programs focused on arts education. National PTA expects to fund three grants of up to $1,000 each.

What National PTA Will Fund:
National PTA is placing a priority on funding projects that represent research based best practices in arts education. Specifically, PTA will fund arts programs that:

• Are of a sustained nature (rather than one time event) and
• Reach large numbers of at-risk students

Extensive research indicates that students receive the greatest benefit from programs that include sustained involvement in the arts. Therefore, National PTA is funding proposals for sustained programs that culminate in a performance, an arts fair, an assembly, or a field trip, rather than those that request funding for one day or one-time events. Ideally the activities will take place throughout the school year and will involve families, students, schools and/or communities.

At risk encompasses a wide range of factors that may make it more difficult for a student or a segment of the student population to succeed in learning. Some factors that make students at risk are financial, familial, health, behavioral, social, and environmental or other community conditions.

Local PTAs must submit complete applications and match this grant dollar for dollar with PTA or other donated funds and/or in-kind resources. 

Project Timeline:
Proposed program activities may take place from January 1, 2012 - May 15, 2012. Grant reports are due thirty days after the end of the grant project or on June 15, 2012, whichever comes first.

Eligibility:
The applicant must be a PTA in good standing.