School-based Community Arts Project

Step 2: The Creative Idea

Try to think of an original project idea that reflects the interests, needs or issues of the school and the surrounding community.

1. Ask students, teachers, parents, artists, and other community members what kind of art project they would get involved with.

2. Hold "brainstorming sessions" to come up with interests, issues or needs in the community that could be explored and addressed creatively through art activities. Hold a community breakfast or some other event to bring people together. If you have artists involved at this point, you can rely on their suggestions for help.

Are there parts of the shared community space that could be improved with a mural? Is there an important story about your community that could be adapted into a play and performed? Is your community changing? Is there something you want to preserve about the community that could be expressed or documented? Are there a lot of newcomers to your community? Could a project be a way to welcome newcomers by pulling people together through an activity ?

3. Talk to local artists to see what ideas they have. Don't know any artists? Call 4Cs - we can help connect you with artists who are interested and/or experienced in community arts.

4. Check out the LINKS page of this web site for examples of community arts projects.

5. Once you have a few ideas, call 4Cs and describe your project ideas. The 4Cs staff will give you important feedback that will steer your project in a direction that is most likely to be funded.


DEVELOPING A 4Cs PROJECT 4Cs staff can help you develop a project. Call 422-4805 to set up a time to meet. We will come to your school or community.
	Step 1: Thinking About Taking on a Project? Ask yourself the following questions: 1.What activities might bring members of the community together with children/youth and strengthen their connections to one another? 2. What skills can I contribute to the community? If you are an ARTIST ask: Which school would I like to work with? What is my connection to the school? 3. Do I have the skills and time to coordinate this project or do I know someone who has? 4. Get others involved. Ask: Who from my community and the school can I get involved in planning this project and applying for funding?
Step 2: The Creative Idea Try to think of an original project idea that reflects the interests, needs or issues of the school and the surrounding community. 1. Ask students, teachers, parents, artists, and other community members what kind of art project they would get involved with. 2. Hold "brainstorming sessions" to come up with interests, issues or needs in the community that could be explored and addressed creatively through art activities. Hold a community breakfast or some other event to bring people together. If you have artists involved at this point, you can rely on their suggestions for help. Are there parts of the shared community space that could be improved with a mural? Is there an important story about your community that could be adapted into a play and performed? Is your community changing? Is there something you want to preserve about the community that could be expressed or documented? Are there a lot of newcomers to your community? Could a project be a way to welcome newcomers by pulling people together through an activity ? 3. Talk to local artists to see what ideas they have. Don't know any artists? Call 4Cs - we can help connect you with artists who are interested and/or experienced in community arts. 4. Check out the LINKS page of this web site for examples of community arts projects. 5. Once you have a few ideas, call 4Cs and describe your project ideas. The 4Cs staff will give you important feedback that will steer your project in a direction that is most likely to be funded.
		Step 3: Project Planning Community Arts projects take time. Adequate planning is VERY important. Work together to determine the outline of your project. 1. What is the main goal of this project? Don't lose sight of this goal as you plan. This goal must be compatible with the 4Cs goal of bringing children/youth together with other members of their community to work side-by-side in art-based activities which foster conversation, discussion, dialogue, and fun. This is the key to strengthening connections and building relationships. 2. What kind of art activities will there be? What type of skills does the artist require? How will you find/connect with this artist? 3. How will this project take place within the school? Will this project happen in class or after school? What space will be needed? What arrangements need to be made? With whom? ***Be sure to get the School Principal and other key school staff on side - including the school custodian! 4. What is the scale of this project? How long will it last? Develop a project timeline. 5. Who do you need on your Team to help make this project successful? What roles will people have to take? Who will handle the financial tracking and reporting? ...Communicate with 4Cs? ...the School? ... the community participants? 6. What kind of materials and resources will be needed? Develop a budget, including in-kind donations and cost of materials, supplies, artist and professional fees, snacks. (Note: 4Cs does not fund substitute teachers.) 7. Re-visit your ideas about community. How will you invite and keep community members involvement? Who is the "community" for this project? (School-aged children and youth, parents, grandparents, caregivers, extended family, neighbours, seniors, local business owners, service groups, community groups, school staff, teachers, administrators - these are all "community".) 8. How will you share information between the project team members; with the school; with the broader community? 9. What will be the final event or outcome of the project? How will this be celebrated by all the participants and the broader community? ? 10. How will you know the project is on track and has been successful? (Develop an evaluation plan.)

Step 4: Write Your Proposal The written proposal will reflect the discussions, brainstorming, creative thinking and careful planning you have completed in Steps 1, 2, and 3. Read the entire Application form before you start. It has a lot of valuable information you will need to know. When you are ready, give your team several hours to complete the Application form together. You may need to meet more than once. Be as clear as possible and do not repeat information. If you are unclear about anything or have questions, please call the 4Cs Foundation office. We are much happier to help you at this point then to receive applications for projects that do not meet the Foundation's mandate and as therefore ineligible for funding. Send your completed application (1 copy only) to the 4Cs Foundation on or before the deadline. We suggest you apply early in the year (in October) - even if your project is for the second term or Spring. NOTES: Only complete proposals are considered, so ensure that you have provided all necessary signatures, contact information, budget and timeline. Do not send support materials (such as posters, brochures, dvd/videos) unless these are crucial to an understanding of your project. Any materials sent will not be returned. The review process can take up to six weeks after the application deadline date. *Do not start your project until you have received written confirmation from the 4Cs Foundation that the proposal has been approved and will be in receipt of a funding grant.
		4Cs Foundation values your time. This is why we suggest you contact us and why we make staff available to work with you. We want you to succeed at applying for funding. Call 422-4805 or email info@4csfoundation.com Meeting with 4Cs staff WORKS in your favour!