Early Childhood Arts Partnership Grants
Early Childhood Arts Partnership Grants support preschool children and teachers through arts partnerships and instruction that build creativity, communication, and social and emotional skills.
This grant was recently updated
Confirm the application deadline with Troy Hickman before applying: the guidelines say October 12, 2026, but the webpage says October 13; project start dates also conflict across materials. Awards remain capped at $6,000 with no match required, and the page now specifies typical awards of $4,000–$6,000. Review the expanded eligibility and application requirements, including government-funding eligibility certification and upload limits, and allow 1–2 business days for approval of a new portal account.
Funder: Vermont Arts Council
Due Dates: October 12, 2026 (Guidelines deadline) | October 13, 2026 (Webpage deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $6,000; typical awards $4,000–$6,000; no match required
Summary: Supports preschool arts education through partnerships among early childhood providers, arts organizations, and qualified Vermont teaching artists.
Key Information: Organizations must apply directly; individuals and proposals using fiscal agents are ineligible.
Description
The Vermont Arts Council’s Early Childhood Arts Partnership Grants support preschool-aged children and teachers with direct opportunities to think, create, and learn through the arts. Formerly called Head Start Arts Integration Grants, the program funds arts and arts-integrated instruction through partnerships among early childhood education providers, arts organizations, and qualified Vermont teaching artists. Activities help children develop creativity, communication, self-expression, and social and emotional skills while preparing for school.
Supported work includes multi-day teaching artist residencies, classroom teacher development, family engagement, and collaborative planning or co-teaching. Learning outcomes may align with TS Gold, Vermont Early Learning Standards, or National Core Arts Standards. The program prioritizes distributing funding across Vermont and addressing each learning community’s needs, expanding access, and sustaining arts instruction beyond a residency. Funding comes from the State of Vermont and the National Endowment for the Arts.
