Funding Large Scale Projects with Grants

In a time when public school funding is shrinking, it is even more important to seek additional support to give students opportunities larger than can be obtained in a normal class setting. My professional and artistic curiosity has led to a drive to create new situations for my students to explore and grow in. With student growth in mind, I have written several successful grants with the intention of not only bringing people together through art but also providing students a chance to work with a variety of professional artists. In these large­scale projects all students are equal as the small pieces they create become part of a grander whole.

LIsted below are some of the grants I have written for, received, and implemented.

2009: Technology Grant

REQUEST: Received funding for several pieces of then­current technology including an Elmo document camera, digital cameras, and a projector. RATIONALE: At an elementary school with a high ELL population, it is imperative to find alternative ways to best reach young artists. Art is a visual language that can be understood by all and use of technology such as document cameras and projectors make it easier to not only demonstrate projects visually but to allow students to showcase their work. Digital cameras allow for a storytelling media that otherwise may have been unavailable to students with limited English language.

2013: Mondrian Ceiling Tiles

REQUEST: Funding for 280 ceiling tiles to be painted in the style of Piet Mondrian, paint, and brushes.

RATIONALE: Create a more welcoming and dynamic space after an increase in usage of the media center for large group projects. Students painted the tiles in class, and parents, staff and families joined in for a community art night. In total nearly 300 tiles were painted and are now displayed around the school.

2015: Mosaic Murals

REQUEST: Funding to bring in two

artists from Delaware Mosaics for a

weeklong workshop and materials such as

cement boards, tiles, glue, and grout.

RATIONALE: The project enhanced our

courtyard and lent itself to the continued growth of

this important community space within the

school. The project provided a unique opportunity

for students to take ownership of the environment

and to leave a lasting legacy for future students

through large­scale public art. The murals focused on the school core values of creativity,

collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.

2017: Community Garden

REQUEST: Funding to create a garden of ceramic flowers with the help of elementary school students, community partners, and staff. Funds spent on high­fire ceramics, glaze, artist visit from John Sabraw (environmental artist), and hardware.

RATIONALE: To continue to make the school courtyard an immersive learning environment and to include future students in the process.

2018: Positivity Posters

REQUEST: Funding to create

positivity posters to be installed in all

restrooms in the school and

materials such as chalkboard paint

decals, paint, and fixative.

RATIONALE: According to

data collected by the school,

students’ self­worth and sense of

belonging are at a low just after the

start of second semester. In an

effort to combat that, staff came

together to paint inspiring and

uplifting phrases to be stuck to the

stall doors of the restrooms.

2019: “Why I Matter” Exhibition

REQUEST: Funding to print over 800 11 x 14 pictures of students sharing their “Why,” bringing in writer Julia DeVillers, author of Girlwise: How to Be Confident, Capable, Cool and in Control, and art supplies.

RATIONALE: A current project in the works is called “Why I Matter”which will focus on a day­long event created to help students vocalize whythey are important individuals, discuss socio­emotional learning, and createa portrait showcasing their “Why” to be displayed in the halls for the entireschool year. It is our goal to increase a school­wide sense of belonging inall of our students that will carry through the school year and beyond.