SAAC education grants available

For artists in the area looking for a little financial help, the Starkville Area Arts Council is taking grant applications for the 2016-2017 year.

The Arts in Education grants support the programs and activities for teachers, students, artists, community art educators and entertainers. According to Henri Sue Kennard, the committee chairperson for SAAC’s education grants, these grants are used for “innovative projects that incorporate the visual arts, music, theatre, dance, or literature,” in a educator’s curriculum.

“This is a chance for educators to do something special with their students in a way that could foster a love for the arts.” Kennard said.

Grant applications can be found at www.starkvillearts.org, local schools and by calling 662-324-3080. Kennard said SAAC has about $4,800 in grants.

“The money from these grants have been used for many things,” Kennard said. “We’ve had teachers use these funds for drama functions. At Starkville Academy they’ve used these for their

musicals and Starkville Christian School actually bought a camera for their entire school to use. It’s so varied what we have done for them.”

Applications must be postmarked by Oct. 17. and must include an itemized budget.

Mail applications to Henri Sue Kennard, SAAC Education Grants Chairperson, c/o SAAC, Suite 18, 101 S. Lafayette St. Starkville, MS 39759.

Last year’s grant cycle totaled $4,750 awarded to local schools. Grant applicants can receive $200 for projects that affect individual classrooms and $500 for programs that affected several classes, the entire school and ongoing programs.

Kennard has been on the committee for this project for three years. She said she continues to work on this committee because of how the arts impacted her own children.

“All my children were very interested in drama and music,” Kennard said. “I feel like it helps a child’s overall education to be interested in. It helps that there’s something fun for them at school.”

Winners will be announced in December. Members of the grant committee are Angel Baker, Joan Butler, Christy Cater, Ellen Boles, and Kennard.

SAAC membership applications are available at its main office, 101 S. Lafayette St.