For field trips occurring between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012
Big Yellow School Bus Grant provides up to $500 to help schools meet the transportation
costs of educational field trips to arts institutions and activities in Missouri that are funded by the
Missouri Arts Council. The grant meets a growing need to help schools fund student field trips to
art museums and exhibits, music, dance, and theater performances, which are often eliminated
due to the pressures of dwindling budgets.
Creative learning at cultural institutions is critical to a child's academic development. These
visits help foster creativity and innovation, among the most important skills for students to
develop today. Big Yellow School Bus is designed to foster partnerships between schools and
art institutions so students across the state can explore their creativity and experience all that
Missouri’s cultural life has to offer.
Funded by the Missouri Arts Council, the program invites eligible1 K-12 school (public, private or
charter) in Missouri to apply for up to a $500 grant to be used during the 2011-2012 school year.
What does the grant fund?
The Yellow School Bus Grant will pay transportation costs for students taking field trips to
approved arts activities including festivals, exhibitions, and performances. The grant does not
pay for other related costs including admission fees.
This grant is not competitive and will be awarded as funds are available. Applicants are
responsible for making all transportation and destination arrangements.
Grant Request
No match is required for this grant. The applicant may request up to $500 to cover travel
expenses that would transport students to and from an eligible field trip destination. Any eligible
school may receive one Yellow School Bus Grant between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply for the Yellow School Bus grant the applying school must be a public,
private or charter school that provides daily education to K-12th grade students.
If you have not applied for Missouri Arts Council funding in the past, please contact the arts
education program specialist before you create an online profile.
Eligible Destinations
Eligible destinations are programs that are funded by the Missouri Arts Council. A list of MAC
grant recipients by community can be found here: http://bit.ly/oCz124. If you believe your
destination is funded by MAC and is not on the list please call Julie Hale, arts education
program specialist. Travel for student competitions and student performances are not eligible.
The grant will fund clinics only if the students will attend a performance.
1
Must be Missouri-based, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by the first Monday of any month at least two months in
advance of the month the project occurs. For example, if the project occurs in June, the
deadline is the first Monday of April (two months in advance of June.) If the first Monday falls on
a holiday, the deadline will be Tuesday. To encourage advance planning, MAC accepts early
applications. Applicants will receive notification of funding within two to three weeks of the
deadline submission.
Getting Started
1. Before you begin the application contact Program Specialist Julie Hale (see below).
2. If you have not already created an online profile do so at http://mac.cgweb.org.
3. Obtain a digital copy (.txt, .rtf, .doc, .xls, or .pdf) of a document that verifies the transportation
cost. This could be an agreement with the Transportation Company, vehicle rental
agreement, or letter from the school district superintendent or authorizing official.
4. Complete the Big Yellow School Bus application form online at http://mac.cgweb.org.
5. Submit the application by the first Monday of the month at least two months before the field
trip. It may be submitted sooner.
Julie Hale Arts Education Program Specialist
julie.hale@ded.mo.gov
314-340-6845
866-407-4752 (toll free)
800-735-2966 (TDD)
Managing the Award
Missouri Arts Council grants are reimbursed (with an electronic funds transfer) after completion
of the project, invoice and final report. All expenses must be paid by the applicant prior to
invoicing MAC for the grant money. Once the field trip is completed you need to prepare an
invoice and final report for reimbursement. The forms are accessed on-line at
http://mac.cgweb.org. All final paperwork must be submitted no later than 30 days after
completion of the project.
MAC Acknowledgement
Grantees must acknowledge Missouri Arts Council funding support to the school community.
This may be done in a school newsletter, take home flier, permission slip or web site. The MAC
logo is available here: https://www.missouriartscouncil.org/page/32, In addition, grantees must
submit copies of letters sent to their state representative and senator notifiying them of their
MAC grant award. A sample of a legislator letter may be found here: http://bit.ly/rdXQU3.
Revised 8/25/11
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