The Ventura County Arts Council Education Task Force has released the application for the 2012 Arts-in-the-Classroom Mini-Grant support. The Ventura County Arts Council Arts-in-the-Classroom mini-grants are available to all Ventura County elementary schools that partner with a Ventura County artist or arts organization. All programs must occur during the school day and must adhere to the guiding principles contained in the Visual and Performing Arts Framework and the Content Standards for California Public Schools, K-12 which is downloadable at http://www.cde.ca.gov/shsd/arts/standards. All arts disciplines will be considered. Only one application per school will be funded. Funds can be used to pay for artist fees and art supplies.

Projects will be selected on the criterion of: learning experiences structured by the California Arts Content Standards, utilization of local artist resources, ongoing learning that uses this project as a springboard for continuing arts education and/or integration with other content areas.

Grants of $300 to $500 are available. Deadline for application is 5pm Friday, March 9, 2012. Download instructions and application form from http://www.venturacountyartscouncil.org/pdf/2012principals.special.pdf or click through from the Ventura County Arts Council home page at www.venturacountyartscouncil.org.

Image: Mural at Saticoy Elementary School, Artist: MB Hanrahan