Grants from community-based organizations and schools that have a
trauma-informed focus will receive funding priority

Wilmington, Del. (January 24, 2020) – As part of its FY2021 grant application cycle, the Division of the Arts invites grant proposals from community-based organizations and schools that demonstrate the utilization of the arts to address trauma-related issues and challenges in communities and schools. Funding priority in the FY2021 grant year will be given to projects that employ the arts to promote mental health. Project Support applications must be submitted through the smARTDE online system and are due by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2020. Artist Residency applications have a rolling deadline and must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the scheduled residency.

“The Division is pleased to introduce this funding priority,“ says Division Director Paul Weagraff, “which aligns with Governor Carney’s Executive Order #24, signed in 2018, making Delaware a trauma-informed state.”

The goal of this Executive Order is to help mitigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and build resilience in children, adults and communities.

ACEs can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; physical or emotional neglect; household dysfunction, including substance abuse, untreated mental illness, or incarceration of a household member; domestic violence; and separation/divorce involving household members.

“We have children and families in Delaware who are affected by trauma in their lives, and we need to do everything we can to support them,” said Governor John Carney. “Addressing these issues as a community will help Delaware become a stronger and healthier state.”

Below are two of the Division’s grant programs that are eligible for this funding priority. Please visit arts.delaware.gov/grant-overview/ to access the full guidelines for each program and a description of the grant review process.

Grant for Delaware Community-Based Organizations (CBOs):

Project Support – support of arts programs provided by CBOs that assist in the growth of a vibrant cultural environment by encouraging the continued development of arts activities in communities throughout the state. College and university projects must be non-credit and serve the general community. Deadline March 2, 2020.

Grant Contact: Kathleen Dinsmore, 302-577-8287

Read guidelines

Grant for Delaware Schools and School Districts:

Artist Residency – grants for residencies with visual, literary, performing or media artists working with students in the classroom or in professional development workshops with teachers. Rolling deadline.

Grant Contact: Sheila Dean Ross, 302-577-8286

Read guidelines

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278. Image: 2019 Award Winners exhibition at the Biggs Museum. Paintings by Geraldo Gonzalez, 2019 Established Professional, Folks Arts: painting

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

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