Because we know that curriculum-based, consistent arts programming in the K–12 space offers a significant opportunity to close the achievement gap for all students, the Kenan Trust will support projects with the following priorities:
- Long-term exposure to the arts in K–12 schools, with repeated, consistent exposure for students and access for students in Title 1 Schools
- Community-based arts and educational organizations offering dance, music, theater, and visual arts experiences in school and after school or through other out-of-school programs.
- Programs that produce documented positive results
Grants in this area are by invitation only. Grant sizes vary depending on the capacity of the applying organization and the scope and reach of the proposed project.
Featured Grant in K-12 Arts Education: Frost School of Music
The Kenan Trust awarded a grant to The University of Miami’s Frost School of Music to support their award-winning MusicReach program. MusicReach has provided high quality mentoring and music instruction to more than 10,000 underserved and at-risk youth in Miami-Dade County since 2008. Participants experience weekly music lessons taught by a Frost School of Music undergraduate student, who in turn is mentored by a Frost School of Music graduate student. The program fosters positive learning outcomes related to music, music instruction, and community involvement for youth students, undergraduates, and graduate participants.
