Many artists and arts lovers trace their initial spark of interest back to a middle or high school performing arts teacher. It’s from these teachers that students learned to express themselves, assert their individuality, collaborate with others—and most of all, discover that distinct sense of excitement and possibility many of us only get from the performing arts. And so, Wolf Trap rewards the teachers who make it all possible—particularly those creating innovative new programs.
For the 2024-2025 school year, Wolf Trap will award grants of up to $5,000 to a select number of public high school teachers and up to $2,500 to a select number of public middle school teachers who are working to bring new and exciting performing arts experiences to their students.
Most grant projects provide instruction through one or more of the following methods:
Artist Residencies – Wolf Trap will support residencies with professional performing artists to support and supplement classroom work. Residencies provide instruction from one or more artists over an extended period.
Master Classes – Wolf Trap will support visiting guest artists to teach master classes in conjunction with class study. Master classes provide opportunities for students to work closely with professional artists to learn about a finite skill or topic in a single session.
Commissions – Wolf Trap will support a teacher, student, or visiting guest artist in the creation of an original dance, music, or theatre piece in collaboration with a specific group of students.
Additionally, teachers are encouraged to think about projects that follow one or more of Wolf Trap’s education priorities:
Technology in the Arts – Wolf Trap will support technological improvements that may allow for further educational opportunities in the arts and encourage technical and media applications in instruction.
Arts and the Environment – Wolf Trap celebrates the relationship between art and nature, using the arts to help protect the environment. Grantees are encouraged to consider “green” projects and to create a culture of environmental responsibility in their performing arts programs.
Arts Integration – Wolf Trap will support collaborations that explore core subjects or STEM classes through an artistic discipline. Grantees are encouraged to work with teachers of different disciplines to find innovative ways to reach learning goals and display student learning.
Arts and Social Change – Wolf Trap values the impact the arts can have in addressing community inequalities. Grantees are encouraged to center their projects around a student-identified issue of concern within their community and use the performing arts to raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and offer solutions.
Eligibility
- All grant projects must take place during the 2024-2025 school year.
- Applicants must be a public high school or middle school teacher of music, dance, or theater currently teaching in Washington, DC; Montgomery County, Maryland; Prince George’s County, Maryland; Loudoun County, Virginia; Arlington County, Virginia; Falls Church City, Virginia; Alexandria City, Virginia; or Fairfax County, Virginia.
- Award will not exceed $5,000 for high school projects and $2,500 for middle school projects. The majority of the grant money must be used for student instruction and learning. With prior approval from Wolf Trap, minimal funds may be used to purchase equipment if it is a major component of the project.
- Teacher grantees and their schools will be responsible for the design and implementation of proposed projects, which includes the selection of participating performing artists and works. Wolf Trap is not able to secure artists and/or permissions.
- Projects must culminate in a performance or presentation of student learning. Grantee schools will be invited to attend a performance and reception at the historic Barns at Wolf Trap in the spring of 2025.
Key Dates
September 15, 2024 – Application deadline
October 2024 – Grant awardees notified
April 2025 – Grants Day Field Trip at Wolf Trap
November 2024 – June 2025 – Project implementation and completion
Selection Process and Winning Examples
A selection panel consisting of county performing arts coordinators/supervisors, local performing artists, and former grantees will review completed applicant proposals.
Each application is reviewed and evaluated using this rubric.
Project Samples:
- A theater department working with a teaching artist to create a devised work around a theme important to the school community.
- A collaboration between three choral directors to engage a professional singer to coach their bass sections.
- A band director inviting professional musicians to lead master classes on technique, tone, and quality.
Sample Application for the 2024-2025 School Year
Application
Click the “Apply Now” button at the bottom of this page to apply online. You must complete the entire online application to be considered for a grant. Applicants cannot save an incomplete application.
The application questions are available here for planning purposes.
Applicants will be given the choice of describing their project in written or video format. If an applicant chooses the video format, they will receive a request to upload a short “selfie” video through One Drive.
Questions
Should you have any questions prior to submitting an application, please contact
edugrants@wolftrap.org or call 703.937.6304.
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