Grants available for arts in school

The Ventura County Arts Council has announced that the guidelines and applications for the 200809 Arts in the Classroom Mini-Grant Program have been sent to the principals of every public elementary school in Ventura County.

The program was established to provide a source of support for grades kindergarten through six to partner with a Ventura County Arts Council member artist or arts organization to bring standards-based arts into the classroom.

All programs must adhere to the guiding principles contained in the visual and performing arts framework for California public schools, kindergarten through grade 12.

All arts disciplines will be considered.

Only one application per school will be funded.

The grants can be used to pay for artists and art supplies.

Several studies have concluded that students benefit from an education that includes the arts as part of the core curriculum.

Arts education encourages creative thinking, team problem solving and risk taking.

Interested elementary schools should submit their applications by 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 9.

Grantees will be announced by April 30.

For more information or a copy of the guidelines, call the Ventura County Arts Council at (805) 658-2213 or visit www.venturacountyarts.net.