Planning Grants emphasized collaborations between schools, teaching artists, and/or cultural organizations to prepare for first-time ASC Implementation projects or to further develop existing ASC Implementation projects. Planning Grants offered schools the opportunity to assess needs, identify resources, and explore pilot program ideas.

Projects contributed to the broader school and community environments over a sustained period of time and provided insight into the evolution of an artist’s creative process, while building upon cultural resources and strengthening community interaction.

Since 1971, NYFA has been an active supporter of and participant in the growth of the arts, and has helped artists be an integral part of public education. With initial support from the NEA and, for decades since, by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), NYFA has provided funding for artist residencies in schools throughout New York State. It has been gratifying to see the amazing work that has been done by artists in the schools during this time.

The focus of the arts-in-education commitment by NYSCA has been changing in recent years, as has NYFA’s own programmatic focus. Accordingly, as of July 2003, NYFA no longer makes grants to schools for technical assistance or for school residencies.

Artists and schools interested in similar programs should contact the arts in education staff at NYSCA. NYFA has not, however, abandoned its commitment to the importance of the artist in the schools. We will continue school-based artist community residencies that involve artists working with public schools and in their local communities. We will also continue to provide information for artists who teach through NYFA’s Information and Research department, including NYFA Source, and NYFA Quarterly.