ASC School Funding Opportunities
School Funding Opportunities build bridges between the classroom and arts, STEM and cultural providers. Whether residencies or field trips, performances or workshops, ASC aims to give PreK-12 students access to dynamic programming that aligns with curriculum standards while providing opportunities for students to learn from professionals beyond their classroom environments.
ASC School Funding Opportunities ensures PreK-12 students in public and independent schools across Charlotte-Mecklenburg have access to professional artists, scientists, historians and other cultural providers for education-specific programming. This programming may involve on-site educational experiences or visits to local organizations.
Overview
ASC School Funding Opportunities supports the placement of professional artists, scientists, historians, and other cultural providers in Grades PreK-12 (public, charter and independent schools) for curriculum-based residencies, workshops, day trips, assemblies/performances, and out of school time experiences.
Eligibility
Any public, charter or independent not-for-profit school in Mecklenburg County serving any grades between K-12 will be eligible, pending funding availability.
All accredited schools in Mecklenburg County are eligible to schedule programs using individualized funding allocations, on a first-come, first-served basis. Allocations are available to schools that meet the requirements and all program deadlines. ASC covers program costs through direct payments to participating Providers. Schools do not receive any actual funding to spend. Schools may book as many programs as their allocation allows. If schools exceed their allocation, they are responsible for the allocation balance.
How to Participate
Each school must designate an “Arts & Science Cultural Arts Representative” (ASCAR) to be the liaison between ASC and the Providers your school chooses. The ASCAR or another representative from your school must attend a School Funding Opportunities training session and complete all program requirements in order to utilize ASC funding.
The Education Provider Directory – a listing of preapproved arts, science and history education programs that adhere to the Common Core State Standards and/or NC Essential Standards – is available as a resource for providers and schools. To access the Education Provider Directory, click here.
2025-26 School Year
ASC School Funding Opportunities program will provide cultural program funding allocations calculated based on school type, student attendance, Title I eligibility, and number of grade levels served. Any public, charter or independent not-for-profit school serving any grades between K-12 will be eligible, pending funding availability
Providers – Our 2025-2026 applications to offer programming has closed. If you would like to be considered for future years of SFO programming, please reach out to Mary Beth Ausman at the email below.
Teachers – If your school is interested in participating or you’d like to confirm your school’s ASCAR, please contact Mary Beth Ausman at marybeth.ausman@artsandscience.org. Thank you for your interest!