CAEA Microgrants for 2025 have closed.

Microgrants for 2026 will open in early August of 2026

The charge of CAEA is to strengthen, advance, and promote the vital role of visual arts education in the state of Colorado. In our pursuit to achieve this charge, CAEA is launching a Teacher Microgrant program to empower educators in professional development, classroom pursuits, projects and student scholarship. 

The grants are funded through monies collected at the annual Fall Conference Auction. Educators donate artworks to the auction and all proceeds go directly to the Teacher Microgrant program. Last year, in 2024, $6417 was raised and will be granted back to CAEA members through an application and evaluation process. 

Each year CAEA members can apply for either a $250 supply or professional development grant or a $500 project grant. Twelve (12), $250 grants will be awarded this year and four (4) $500 grants will be awarded this year. The rest of the funds will be awarded at the CAEA board's discretion. Applications will open August 1st, 2025 and will close on August 22nd, 2025 at 9am. Grant awardees will be notified in late August and will also be recognized at the November CAEA Fall Conference. PLEASE fill out this form completely and thoroughly. 

If your application is incomplete or missing information, it will not be considered for a grant.  

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria on a scale of 1-5, 1 being the description is unclear, and 5 being the description is very clear.

$250 Materials or Professional Development Microgrant Criteria

• The form must be complete in order to be considered.
• A clear explanation of the need is provided, including context about the applicant’s request for what materials they are wanting to purchase or what professional development they want to participate in.
• The impact of the microgrant on the applicant’s work or community is addressed (rural school district or Title I programs).
• The description connects the need to broader goals in art education or community engagement.
• The applicant provides evidence or examples (such as data, testimonials, or previous outcomes) to support the stated need.

$500 Project Microgrant Criteria

• The form must be complete in order to be considered.
• A clear explanation of the project is provided, including context about the applicant’s request for what outcomes, objectives, school or community impact, artistic merit, collaboration with other programs, and collaboration with community partners, materials are needed for the project. 
• The impact of the microgrant on the applicant’s work or community is addressed (rural school district or Title I programs).
• The description connects the need to broader goals in art education or community engagement.
• The applicant provides evidence or examples (such as data, testimonials, or previous outcomes) to support the stated need.