Texas Cultural Trust Names Recipients of the 2024-2025 First Year Teacher Grants

by Texas Cultural Trust

First year arts educators in Title I schools across Texas receive grants to support equitable arts education access throughout the state

AUSTIN, TX [OCTOBER 21, 2024] – The Texas Cultural Trust (TXCT), a nonprofit dedicated to increasing awareness, access, and support for the arts in Texas, has announced the recipients of its sixth annual First Year Teacher Grants. As part of the Trust’s Arts Access program, these grants, awarded annually in the fall, are designed to support new arts teachers in providing quality arts education in Title I schools and low arts access communities. This year, grants will be awarded to six arts educators across Texas cities including Austin, Eustace, Houston, and Lubbock

Each recipient of the First Year Teacher Grants will receive a one-time grant of $1,500 to help alleviate costs associated with completing the first year as an arts teacher. These funds can be used for a variety of expenses that enhance the quality of arts education. 

For some arts teachers, this entails purchasing vital equipment: “This financial support is critical as our dance program at Lively Middle School has grown significantly, requiring us to use additional spaces that aren’t fully equipped for dance instruction,” says Alexandria Havelka, a grant recipient from Lively Middle School. “With this grant, we can purchase essential items like mirrors and ballet barres, transforming these spaces into more suitable environments.”

Other recipients are using the grants to fund field trips and unique learning opportunities for students: “This grant will [allow] my students to learn from professionals and network with peers and colleges by attending the Texas Thespian Festival,” says Amy Oakley from Eustace Middle School. “This is critical because in our small town, arts education and networking opportunities are little to none. The financial support given will allow my students to pursue theatre in college and/or as a career.”

Additional uses of the grant can include professional development, classroom enrichment, and other resources that support high-quality arts instruction. 

The 2024 – 2025 First Year Teacher Grants recipients are as follows: 

  • Alexandria Havelka, Austin ISD
  • Amy Oakley, Eustace ISD
  • Daniella Sanchez, Austin ISD
  • Georgiana Crist, Lubbock ISD
  • Gitzel Vargas, Splendora ISD
  • Victoria Solis, Pasadena ISD

“As we’ve learned in our biennial State of the Arts Report, arts education plays an essential role in cultivating creativity, self-expression, cultural awareness, and so much more in our kids,” says Texas Cultural Trust CEO Heidi Marquez Smith. “With these grants, we hope to provide our educators with the resources they need to bring the transformative power of the arts to children across the state.” 

These grants are offered on an annual basis and will reopen for applications in the summer of 2025. To learn more about the Texas Cultural Trust and available grants through its Arts Access program, please visit https://txculturaltrust.org/what-we-do/arts-access

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ABOUT TEXAS CULTURAL TRUST
The Texas Cultural Trust, established in 1995, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and increasing access and awareness for the arts across the state. Programs of the organization include the Texas Medal of Arts Awards, Arts Access, Art Can, Texas Young Masters, Texas Women for the Arts, and Partners in the Arts. Texas Cultural Trust efforts are amplified by supporters who are instrumental in the success of leading a cohesive voice for the arts in education, advocacy, and economic impact in Texas, spotlighting the artistic excellence of the state. For more information, visit txculturaltrust.org.

CONTACT:
APC Collective
tct@apccollective.com

 

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