A practical guide to grants for arts education programs in schools and communities, federal NEA and ED funding, foundations, and how to win.

2025–2026 STATUS UPDATE: NEA, NEH, and IMLS — the three primary federal cultural-funding agencies — were all subject to mass grant cancellations and proposed elimination in 2025. Courts have blocked the most extreme dismantling efforts, and grants are being progressively restored as of 2026, but cycles and priorities have been materially disrupted. Verify program status at the relevant agency website before applying.

Arts education sits at the intersection of arts funding and education funding, with dedicated streams in both, plus strong foundation interest.

TL;DR

Who funds arts education? NEA Arts Education, ED (Title I, Title IV, Assistance for Arts Education), state arts agencies, foundations, community foundations.
Who can apply? Schools, school districts, arts organizations, museums, community-based organizations.
What gets funded? In-school arts education, after-school arts programs, arts integration, professional development for teachers, partnerships.

Federal Funding

NEA Arts Education. A core NEA program supporting in-school and out-of-school arts learning.

ED Assistance for Arts Education (AAE). Federal arts education program (when funded).

ED Title IV Part A can fund arts as part of well-rounded education.

ED Title I can fund arts education programs serving Title I schools.

State Arts Agencies

State arts agencies receive NEA partnership funding and often run arts education grant programs for schools and arts organizations.

Foundation Funders

Wallace Foundation (afterschool and arts).
Mellon Foundation.
NoVo Foundation historically.
VH1 Save the Music Foundation (music education).
Mockingbird Foundation (music education for children).
Local community foundations.

What Gets Funded

In-school arts integration.
After-school and out-of-school arts (see grants for after-school programs).
Arts teacher professional development.
School-community arts partnerships.
Specific disciplines (music, dance, theater, visual arts).

Tips for a Competitive Application

Use evidence-based arts education practices.
Show partnership between schools and arts organizations.
Address equity in access.
Plan sustainability beyond grant cycles.

How Grantboost Helps

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Grants for Arts Education Programs