Arts in Afterschool

The ND Afterschool Network, in collaboration with ND Council on the Arts, is pleased to offer funding to afterschool and other out-of-school time programs up to $2,000 to increase opportunities for youth in grades K-12 to engage in arts programming.

Our goal with this funding is to provide meaningful arts engagement through community involvement and partnerships. Applicants are encouraged to think creatively about your activity or project. Projects can include a wide variety of arts, including visual, performance, photography, filmmaking, design, music, architecture, and more. Proposed activities must include direct engagement with an artist or arts institution, which may include a teaching artist, community artist, local theater, museum, or other arts entity. This funding is intended to help spark the potential for ongoing collaboration.

The ND Afterschool Network has collaborated with ND Council on the Arts to provide Arts in Afterschool Funding. Since the 2020-2021 school year, 46 projects have been funded with an impact to 9,609 youth across North Dakota!

All Arts in Afterschool Funding has been allocated for the 2024 – 2025 school year.

Apply Now!

Setting the Stage: Practical Ideas for Implementing High-Quality Afterschool Arts Programs

2024 – 2025 Arts in Afterschool Info Session Recording

Partner: ND Council on the Arts

Past funded projects have included:

Long X Arts Foundation in Watford City worked with teaching artist Morgan Wagner in the Kid Stop After School Program for students in grades K-4; 70 students engaged in weekly, hands-on projects including painting, kaleidoscopes, sun catchers, and other mediums.

Jamestown Parks and Rec’s OnTRAC Learning Center Afterschool Program worked with Mindi Schmitz with Jamestown Arts Center; 32 students in grades K-1 engaged in 15 hours of instruction in basic clay work and ceramics.

Wyndmere Public Schools Afterschool Program worked with artist Tamra Sirek; 78 students participated in canvas painting. Another project included working with Clay Your Way to engage 45 students in clay and painting.

African Arts Arena in Grand Forks worked with the City of Grand Forks HUD afterschool program at the LaGrave Center; 45 students engaged in drumming and dance using a social emotional art approach.

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley’s Teen Club Afterschool Program in Fargo partnered with teaching artist Anna Jacobson; 14 teens engaged in printmaking.

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch / Dakota Memorial’s Afterschool Program in Minot worked with local artist Daniel Mathis with Minot State University; 25 students participated in various art activities including form, perspective, composition, lighting, brainstorming, and focused exploration.

North Dakota’s Gateway to Science in Bismarck hosted a camp for students in Grades 1 – 5. Artist Robin Reynolds engaged 40 students in the science of clay, bookmaking, papermaking, and marbleizing.

Midkota Extended Day Program used funding for art supplies for 32 students to engage alongside multiple teaching artists through ConnectEd.

Minot Community Learning Centers worked with The Film Dudes, hosting a movie trailer making class for 18 students. Another project included working with Taube Museum of Art to host weekly art education for 500 students.

New Rockford Sheyenne partnered with New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation to create a public mural project on a historic bowling alley building; 8 students engaged with multiple artists to complete the project.

Red Door Art Gallery and Museum in Wahpeton partnered with artist Elizabeth Dub to engage 11 students in grades K-5 in clay sculpture, design, illustration, color, detailing, and more.

Valley City Afterschool Program worked with Missoula Children’s Theatre to provide two professional actors to guide 23 students to present “Johnny Appleseed” including basic stage direction, learning from a script, onstage discipline, set coordination, and acting.

Tate Topa Tribal School’s 21st Century Afterschool Program in Fort Totten worked with multiple teaching artists to engage 105 students in grades K-5 in lessons including modeling clay, color mixing, oil pastels, and painting.

Tudeako Group in Fargo worked with cultural artists to engage 25 students in various areas of performance, dancing, coloring with a culturally historic lens.

YMCA School-age Program in Fargo partnered with Theater Stars to engage 100 students in basic theatrical teaching, performance, set building, costume design, singing, and acting.

Theo Art School in Bismarck hosted afterschool arts activities for 107 students that included multiple detailed and in-depth projects and 31 students engaged in watercolor techniques with local artists. Another project included 34 students engaging in watercolor with guest artist Joy Gerhart.

Langdon Area Schools worked with teaching artist Mindi Lill to engage 21 students attending afterschool programming in multiple art mediums over the course of three months, including storytelling, watercolor, painting, book making, and more.

Midway’s ESP in Inkster worked with artist Jen Teruel to plan and create a series of three murals with 13 students on rolled canvas to be used as a public art project at the community’s childcare facility, Mini Monarchs Daycare.

North Valley Extended School Project in Grafton partnered with Grafton Public School’s choir director, engaging 57 students in grades 4-6 in eighteen weeks of music instruction and 400 students prepared and held a musical for the community.

Faith4Hope After-School Matters Community Center engaged 12 students in various art experiences, including dance and music.

Valley-Edinburg ESP Program in Hoople worked with local artist Sarah Hultin to engage 28 students in four painting events, and 32 students worked with artist Melodie Alt to create two murals in the elementary PK-2 school building. Another project included 35 students creating murals.

ArtWise in Grand Forks hosted a student art show with over 4,000 students in grades K-12 participating in a public art show at Columbia Mall including visual and performance arts. Partnerships included the watercolor society of the region, the public library, area quilters guild, and live art demonstrations. Another project included 102 students working with local artists in four art camps for students in grades K-8.

Full STEM Ahead in Minot worked with Make a Scene Kids Theatre to engage 15 students in a performance of “James and the Giant Peach”.

Rolla Public Library partnered with teaching artist Svetlana Leer to engage 43 students in their afterschool arts program in projects including watercolor, pastels, charcoal, mosaics, landscapes, portraits, abstracts, and still life. Another project included 67 students engaging in two, six-week art lessons.

Bismarck Parks and Recreation’s BLAST afterschool program partnered with Theo Art School to provide 650 students with hands-on multimedia curriculum based on the art of Vincent Van Gogh.

Bridges Art Council partnered with Valley City State University Community School of the Arts and Valley City State University Art Department to host afterschool art classes for 26 students in grades K-3 in multiple visual arts.

Hatton Eielson ESP worked with community artists Donalee Strand, Karen Naastad, Karen Howson, Gary Lillemoen, and Mary Meldahl to engage 40 students and their families in family night art activities.

Meadowlark Arts Council in Crosby worked with Missoula Children’s Theatre to engage 34 students in a performance of “King Arthur’s Quest”.

Northwood Before and After School Program worked with local artists to engage 414 students in multiple art projects throughout the school year and during summer programming.