Thanks to generous local donations and grants, VAPA awards teacher-project grants to San Diego Unified School District professionals to pursue innovative, creative artistic projects with their students. The funding rounds of the VAPA grants usually impact thousands of students, and often yield artistic work that also delights and educates large numbers of people in the community at large.
These awards range in dollar amount based on many factors, including the number of students participating and the type and scope of the project.
Generally, we seek to help teachers cover things that fall outside of school budgets including:
- professional development
- project costs
- artistic materials
Funding amounts granted are, of course, dependent on the project, generally ranging from $500 to $5,000.
VAPA Enhancement Program
Mission of the VAPA Foundation:
The purpose of the VAPA Foundation is to increase access to and enhance the quality of arts education in the San Diego Unified School District.
Eligibility:
All TK – 12 teachers currently employed by the San Diego Unified School District may apply. VEP is open to VAPA educators and non-VAPA educators.
Project Proposals May Include:
- Arts materials, tools, equipment, or instruments
- Professional learning for teachers
- Arts field trips
- Residencies, workshops, or assemblies from one of these community partners with a board-approved Professional Services Agreement. Organizations without a contract cannot be paid by the school district.
To Apply:
Follow these guidelines as you create your proposal.
- VEP Proposal Guidelines and Rubric for VAPA Teachers.
- VEP Proposal Guidelines and Rubric for non-VAPA Teachers.
- Preview the Application Questions Here.
Calendar:
- Aug. 15 Online Application Opens
- Oct. 15, 11:59 pm DEADLINE to Apply
- Nov. 3 Award Notification
- May 1, 2024 Funded projects must be complete (except summer PD)
1 month after project completion Final Report Due – Required
FAQ
How will selected applicants be notified?
- All applicants will be notified by email whether their project is selected or not.
How will funds be disbursed?
- Funds will be distributed to school sites. School sites will be responsible for purchasing equipment or materials, coordinating field trips, or paying for professional learning. For residencies, workshops, assemblies, and other services provided by a community partner, school sites will be responsible for utilizing a district-wide Professional Services Agreement (PSA) to pay for the services. This is why only proposals that partner with organizations with PSAs may be funded.
Is there a final report?
- Yes, the VAPA Foundation requires a final report, due no later than 1 month after the completion of the project.
- Please be prepared to report:
- Details of your project implementation (date, time, location, who participated)
- How outcomes were achieved
- Obstacles encountered during the project (if any)
- A positive story from the project
- A final budget, including any additional funding sources
- At least two photos or videos of your project (please ensure any students in the photos have media release forms)
VAPA Foundation funding, thanks to your donations, goes a long way to enrich San Diegan youth, educators, and local citizens.
2018-19 VEP Project – Mural Artist Maxx Moses with students at Zamorano Fine Arts Academy