Washington State Wolf Trap

FY25 Teaching Artist Application Guidelines

About this opportunity:

ArtsWA is looking for performing arts Teaching Artists to join the Washington State Wolf Trap Teaching Artist roster. Selected artists will receive specialized training from Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning through the Arts, lead multi-week residencies in preschool classrooms, and offer professional development to educators.

We are seeking artists skilled in music, dance, theatre, puppetry, or storytelling. During the 2024 - 2025 school year, Wolf Trap Teaching Artists will serve ECEAP classrooms within NorthEast WA Educational Service District 101 (ESD 101). 

We are looking for Teaching Artists from within ESD 101 area of service who are creative, reliable, resourceful, good communicators, organized, and passionate about bringing the arts to preschool-aged children in a culturally responsive way. Artists must be able to attend required training sessions and meetings.

During a residency, a Wolf Trap Teaching Artist partners with a classroom educator to design performing arts strategies that meet the instructional goals of the educator and the classroom curriculum targeting literacy and social emotional learning needs. Educators learn effective ways to engage students in active learning so that performing arts (music, dance, theatre, puppetry, or storytelling) remain a strong part of their lessons after the residency ends. 

About Washington State Wolf Trap:

Washington State Wolf Trap is an Affiliate Program of the nationally renowned Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning through the Arts. Programing includes multi-week classroom residencies in preschool classrooms and professional development workshops for early childhood educators.  

Launched in the 2023-24 school year, Washington State Wolf Trap partners with early learning teams at our state's Educational Service Districts (ESDs). Starting in ESD 123, the program will expand to surrounding communities in eastern and central Washington in the coming years. This ESD-focused approach helps us build strong partnerships, meet the needs of service districts, and highlight regional teaching artist talent. To ensure our teaching artists are well-connected to the communities they serve, we recruit artists based on the location and service area of the targeted ESD.

Important Dates

• Monday, July 1, 2024 - Application Open
• Deadline Extended: Friday, August 30, 2024 at 5pm - Application Closed
• September 5, 2024 - Application Notification
• October 14 - 18, 2024 (9:00am-4:00pm) - Attend in-person New Artist Training with Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts in Spokane
• November 2024 - Teaching Artists are assigned to their classrooms
• January 2025 - June 2025 - Provide classroom residencies within ESD 101’s ECEAP preschool program 

Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply?

• Open to performing arts (music, dance, theatre, puppetry, or storytelling) teaching artists residing in Washington State.
• Priority given to applicants residing in the ESD 101's ECEAP areas of service (Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Stevens counties). 

Required experience and qualifications:

• Available to attend a required 5-day in-person New Artist Training in Spokane, WA. Dates: Oct 14 - 18, 2024 | 8:30am-4pm.
• Available to deliver artist residencies during the school-day, an average of 2 days a week January - June 2025 in the ESD 101 region of Washington State.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a professional artist and/or teaching artist in a performing arts discipline (music, dance, theatre, puppetry, or storytelling).
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in working with children and youth in an instructional setting (i.e. classroom, arts organization, community centers, summer camps, etc.) and an interest in working with children in grades preschool and kindergarten.
• Have access to reliable transportation and willingness to travel to and within Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Stevens counties in January - June 2025.

Preferred qualifications: 

• Desire to engage with professional learning focused on early childhood education, arts integration, and adult learning.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with adult learners.
• Experience working in multi-lingual communities.
• Currently residing in Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Stevens counties.

How does ArtsWA select Teaching Artists?

ArtsWA staff will review all submitted applications and materials. The following criteria will be used to evaluate each application:

1. Performing Arts: Relevant experience as a professional artist and/or teaching artist in a performing arts discipline (music, dance, theatre, puppetry, or storytelling). 
2. Arts Integration: Demonstrated experience or interest in integrating the performing arts with non-arts curriculum to engage successful learners and empower effective educators.
3. Professional Development: Demonstrated experience or interest in engaging adult learners effectively and collaboratively through professional development.

Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. ArtsWA does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, or gender identity.

Selection priority 

Priority given to applicants residing in Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Stevens counties.

How to Apply

Online application

Applications are due by Wednesday, July 31, 2024 by 5pm Pacific Standard Time through the online application platform Submittable. To avoid technical problems, please save often and submit well in advance of the deadline. If you are unable to submit electronically, contact Kalei Matsui at kalei.matsui@arts.wa.gov or 360-252-9987 to discuss possible accommodations.

Please see ArtsWA’s Submittable FAQ for additional information on using this platform.

Submission materials include: 

1. A statement of interest 
2. A resume 
3. Three professional references

If selected, you will: 

Sign a Professional Service Contract with ArtsWA and fulfill a scope of work with deliverables with work spanning October 2024 through June 2025. Contracts will range from $3,100 to $6,100 with the potential to continue in the following academic year.

Receive specialized training from Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, scheduled October 14 - 18, 2024 from 8:30am-4pm in Spokane, WA. This training week is a paid part of your contract.

Be required to complete NorthEast ESD 101 ECEAP Classroom Volunteer Checklist, which includes: Portable Background Check (in MERIT), State Patrol Background Check, provide proof of MMR immunization or proof of immunity, provide proof of tuberculosis (TB) testing/treatment/or immunity, take mandated reporter training. 

Join the Washington State Wolf Trap Teaching Artist roster.

Provide customized, multi-week classroom residency in at least one classroom within ESD 101’s ECEAP preschool program during January – June 2025 (service area in the following counties: Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Stevens). Each Wolf Trap Classroom Residency consists of:

• 1 pre-residency orientation meeting with Washington State Wolf Trap Affiliate Director, the Wolf Trap Teaching Artist and Classroom Educator. 60-minute virtual meeting. 
• 1 classroom observation where the Wolf Trap Teaching Artist meets the students and gets a sense of the learning environment and classroom space. 30-min session.
• 4 planning sessions between the Wolf Trap Teaching Artist and the Classroom Educator to customize a residency that supports students' needs. 30-minute sessions. 
• 11 in-class sessions where the Wolf Trap Teaching Artist engages performing arts elements from music, dance, drama, puppetry, and/or storytelling, while mentoring the Classroom Educator on integrating arts-based strategies on their own. 30-minute sessions. 

Additional Information

About ArtsWA 

ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission. The Washington State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts fund our programs. Grants are contingent on available state and federal funding. ArtsWA complies with all local, state and federal laws and regulations concerning civil and human rights. For more information regarding the Washington State Arts Commission’s policies on Accessibility, Diversity, and Nondiscrimination, click here. 

Accessibility

ArtsWA accepts applications via an online form. If you require an alternate format or assistance to access the application, please reach out to us at the contact information below or Kalei Matsui, Arts in Education Program Coordinator, at kalei.matsui@arts.wa.gov or at 360-252-9987.

Contact Us 

Alexis Sarah, Washington State Wolf Trap Affiliate Director at 360-228-6359 or wolftrap@arts.wa.gov 

Kalei Matsui, Arts in Education Program Coordinator at 360-252-9987 or kalei.matsui@arts.wa.gov 

Application Instructions

• Saving: Save your Application as you work on it by clicking the "Save Draft" button located at the end of this webpage. You can log out and log back in, take a break, or work on your application over several days without losing your data.
• Required Questions: Questions marked with a red asterisk '*' must be completed before you submit your application. You will not be able to submit your application if any required questions have been left unanswered.
• Submitting: Once you have completed your Nomination, click the "Submit" button at the end of this webpage. You will receive an automated email confirming that your Application has been successfully submitted.
• Print or download a copy of your Application by navigating to your "Personal Submissions" account list. Click on your Application submission. This will open up the submission's details page, where you can click the Download button in the upper right of the viewing box.

Questions? Kalei Matsui, Arts in Education Program Coordinator, at kalei.matsui@arts.wa.gov or 360-252-9987

Tribal Cultural Grant  

Funding for Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)

This non-competitive grant offers funding for Washington State Federally-recognized Tribes to support Tribal communities as they expand, enhance, or create space for art and culture that is respectful and responsive to each community’s needs.  
 

Funding amounts

The current allocation amount per application this cycle is $18,000 per Tribe if all 29 Tribes apply. The application includes space for each Tribe to identify an additional funding request that will be considered if additional funding becomes available, or if all Tribes do not apply. Funding not requested by the closing date will be reallocated as additional funding to those that applied.
 

Background

In 2023 the Washington State Legislature provided funding to the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) to support Washington Tribal Communities’ arts and culture. Funding will be distributed through a series of grants that may be used for a broad array of arts and / or cultural-related activities and programs.  

The first round of grant funding was awarded to 20 of the 29 Federally recognized Tribes (all Tribes who applied) in March in the amount of $552,700.  

Projects that this initial funding supported included: Supplies and instruction for regalia making, a Tribal language dictionary and children’s books, support for culture teacher’s salaries, murals and art for a Tribal youth center and a Tribal health center, a Lushootseed language camp and much more.
 

Eligibility 

• Applicants must be a Washington State Federally-recognized Tribe. 
• Each Tribe may submit one application, but the application may support several different projects.  
• For recipients of the Fiscal Year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) Tribal Arts Grant: You can apply at any time while the application is open, but you will be ineligible to receive Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) Cultural Grant funding until your final report for Fiscal Year 2024 is complete. 
• Funds may support Tribal cultural activities: this will be determined by your Tribe including but not limited to language, foodways, gathering spaces, classes or mentorships, regalia making, carving, weaving, Tribal museums, support for culture teachers, and more.  
• If you have a question about whether your project is appropriate for the funding, please reach out to us.  

Important Dates 

• Application open June 17, 2024 – September 30, 2024, at 5pm 
• Early applications, submitted by July 15, will receive notification August 15, 2024 
• Applications submitted by September 30, will receive notification by November 15, 2024 
• Agreements distributed no later than November 15, 2024 
• Deadline to utilize funding June 30, 2025 
• Final reports due August 31, 2025 

 
What are ArtsWA’s Tribal Cultural Grant Priorities? 

• Support Washington Tribal communities as they expand, enhance, and create space for art and culture, in a way that is respectful and responsive to each community’s needs. 
• Support projects, programs, and services spanning a diversity of cultural/art disciplines and traditions. 
• Foster equity and expand the creative economy by funding Tribes and Indigenous artists that have historically been excluded from government arts funding. 

 
What We Can and Cannot Fund

As a state agency, there are restrictions on what ArtsWA can support.  

Examples of what we can fund: 

• Artist, teaching artist, and contractor fees 
• Tribal museum support including, exhibitions, collections, enhancements, planning and consultations 
• Rent (equipment or space)  
• Travel expenses for in-state artists or consultants  
• Materials, supplies, software, and technology 
• Administrative expenses, including printing costs, postage, and other administrative fees  
• Fees for increasing access to programming such as closed captioning, translation services, interpreters, or consultant support on these efforts  
• Support of Native/Indigenous artists for start-up funds (business license, website development, technology) 
• Expenses for Tribal cultural classes 

What we cannot fund: 

• Expenses outside the current grant period 
• Activities that have occurred prior to the period designated by the agreement 
• Requests to cover previous losses incurred by the Tribe  

If you have questions about whether your project is appropriate for this funding, please reach out to us. 

What happens after you apply? 

1. Submission confirmation: You will immediately receive an automated message from Submittable confirming your application was submitted successfully. Make sure you have notifications@email.submittable.com listed as a safe sender for your inbox. 
2. Staff will contact you: Tribal Cultural Affairs staff will contact you directly over email or phone about your proposed project(s). All applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility, we will let you know if there is anything missing in your application. Double check to make sure your contact information is correct so that we can reach you! 
3. Agreement issued: Eligible applicants will be officially notified of award and issued their agreement by either August 15, 2024, or November 15, 2024. Your authorizing official can sign the agreement digitally or with ink.
4. Payment: Tribes must select to receive their funds in advance of project expenses or as reimbursement. If you choose Advance Payment, you can receive your funds as soon as you sign your invoice (included in your agreement). If you choose Reimbursement, you will simply sign your invoice (included in your agreement) and let us know when you are ready to receive your funds or submit the signed invoice when you are ready to be reimbursed. It usually takes a few weeks for funds to arrive after they are requested. 
5. Final Report: Final reports are short and usually take about 15 minutes to complete. They will be available in Submittable after your payment is sent. This report is vital for the continued success of the Tribal Cultural Affairs program and our ability to continue providing support for Washington's Tribal communities. This information will be used for upcoming appeals to the state legislature for additional funding for future grants and programming. Photo documentation is also extremely valuable when explaining the importance of this funding and the projects that it supports - we ask that you share photos of your projects! (There is an easy photo upload link in the report.)  

 
Submittable Tips 

• Saving: Save your application as you work on it by clicking the "Save Draft" button located at the end of this webpage. You can log out and log back in, take a break, or work on your application over several days without losing your data. 
• Collaboration: If multiple people from your organization will be contributing to your application, invite them to collaborate by clicking on the "Invite Collaborators" button located at the top right of this webpage. 
• Required Questions: Questions marked with a red asterisk '*' must be completed before you submit your application. You will not be able to submit your application if any required questions have been left unanswered. 
• Submitting: Once you have completed your application, click the "Submit" button at the end of this webpage. You will receive an automated email confirming that your application has been successfully submitted. 
• Print or download a copy of your application by navigating to your "Personal Submissions" account list. Click on your Application submission. This will open up the submission's details page, where you can click the Download button in the upper right of the viewing box. 

Questions? 

Cheryl Wilcox, Tribal Cultural Affairs Manager, at 360-485-1278 or cheryl.wilcox@arts.wa.gov
Todd Clark, Tribal Cultural Affairs Program Lead at 360-485-1223 or todd.clark@arts.wa.gov

Questions about Submittable:

Linnea Ingalls, Tribal Cultural Affairs Program Coordinator, at 360-252-9969 or linnea.ingalls@arts.wa.gov