LOCAL EDUCATORS, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS WITH MUSIC AND ARTS EDUCATION NEEDS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
AthFest Educates announced the application period for its Fall 2015 grant cycle for local music and arts programs will be open July 13th and close August 21st. Applications are accepted from individuals from nonprofit organizations, public schools or local or state government agencies serving Athens-Clarke County youth in grades K-8. Funding priority is given to grants for music and arts based non-consumable equipment, programs and experiences, and professional development for educators and/or youth development specialists. Awards will be announced September 14th and checks mailed September 21st. The organization awards up to $25,000 per grant cycle. For more information and to apply http://www.athfesteducates.org/apply/. Questions email director@athfesteducates.org or call (706) 548-1973.
AthFest Educates holds two annual events—AthFest Music and Arts Festival, and the AthHalf Half Marathon—to raise funds for the organization’s bi-annual grant-making efforts in September and January. To date, AthFest Educates has donated nearly $200,000 in grants to local schools and community programs that promote arts and music education.
Grants are not just for music or arts teachers. Jill Helme, director of AthFest Educates says, “we firmly believe in the power of music and the arts to develop and deepen young people’s understanding of all core subject areas, not just in music or art class, so we strongly encourage teachers and youth development specialists in our community who want to use music and arts in their teaching of core subject areas or social/emotional skill development to apply for grants as well.”