Capitol Art Field Trip Grants
Available to Schools Statewide
The Oklahoma State Capitol offers an incredible, one-of-a-kind educational experience for Oklahoma school children. Art, history, and government are together in one space, offering an extraordinary destination and learning environment unlike any other in Oklahoma. At the center of the experience, managed by the Oklahoma Arts Council, collections of artworks located throughout six floors of rotundas, corridors, and galleries, make the Oklahoma State Capitol the largest public art museum in the state. Please note, these field trips are available for students in third grade and above.
Capitol Art Field Trip Grants from the Oklahoma Arts Council give schools across the state the chance to bring students to the historic Oklahoma State Capitol for an unforgettable journey that makes lessons from the classroom come to life. Through the grant program, schools are reimbursed for transportation costs such as bus rental, mileage, driver fees, and substitute teacher and support staff expenses. Students are led on guided tours by volunteer docents trained by the Oklahoma Arts Council.
Program Objectives
Provide Oklahoma school children—especially those in rural and under-resourced communities—access to the Oklahoma State Capitol
Create opportunities for students to explore the Oklahoma State Capitol art collections, learn about Oklahoma history, and gain an understanding of the role of government and civics.
Project Activity Dates
Applications are currently being accepted for tours scheduled September 1, 2026, through May 30, 2027. In addition to submitting a grant application, schools must complete this form to request a guided tour.
Grant Amount
Up to $1,100 per field trip. Each school site may apply for one Capitol Art Field Trip Grants per school year.
Application Deadline
30 days before the scheduled field trip date
Who Can Apply?
Oklahoma PreK-12 public schools (Capitol Art Field Trips are only available for third grade and above)
What Expenses Are Allowable?
Capitol Art Field Trip Grants can be used to reimburse schools for school-approved transportation, drivers, mileage, substitute teachers and additional school support staff. Maximum reimbursement is determined based on a school's distance from the Oklahoma State Capitol (located at 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105) as follows:
- 0-50 miles from school to Capitol: Up to $400
- 51-100 miles from school to Capitol: Up to $550
- 101-200 miles from school to Capitol: Up to $850
- 201-400 miles from school to Capitol: Up to $1,100
If selected for funding, grant funds are reimbursed to the school/school district after a final report is submitted.
Required Outcomes
Proposals for funding must seek to accomplish the following:
- Outcome 1: Hands-on and Sequential Arts Experiences
Projects should offer students meaningful opportunities for hands-on participation in the arts. Projects should also focus on sequential learning experiences in which students build artistic knowledge and skills over time. Students should receive six or more hours of hands-on time directly engaging in the art form (projects that include one-time make-and- take experiences are not eligible). The benefits of arts education are most fully realized when students engage with the arts consistently over time.
- Outcome 2: Creative Expression
Projects will offer students opportunities to make creative choices and/or experiment within the parameters of the artistic discipline and/or medium. Students are encouraged to express themselves creatively as they participate in the arts.
- Outcome 3: Learning from Teaching Artists
Students receive instruction from teaching artists whose expertise in the art form is well demonstrated. Teaching artists also demonstrate proficiency as educators, bringing skills such as classroom management, arts learning assessment, and student engagement to their arts classrooms.
- Outcome 4: Overall Student Success and Performance
Studies show that arts education offers unique benefits to students beyond the classroom. Consistent, high-quality arts education is linked to higher student literacy and student performance in math, science, and other content areas. Arts education also encourages students to practice critical thinking, problem-solving, goal-setting, and strong habits for working individually and as part of a group. Participation in the arts also correlates with increased empathy, healthier emotional regulation, and self-confidence. In order to demonstrate commitment to quality arts education, projects should address grade-appropriate learning standards from Oklahoma Academic Standards in Fine Arts.
Step 1: Your organization must be verified in the Oklahoma Arts Council grant portal before applying for this grant opportunity. If your organization is new to the Oklahoma Arts Council Fluxx grant system, you must create a new account and complete the eligibility verification process. If you have questions, contact our grants office at grants@arts.ok.gov or 405-521-2040.
Step 2: Once your organization is verified, you can start an application from the Apply for Funding page. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on the application deadline date published on the grant program guidelines. If an application deadline falls on a weekend or state holiday, the application will be due by 5:00 p.m. on the next business day. Late submissions are subject to the noncompliance policies as outlined in the General Grant Terms and Conditions.
Grant Process
School's Grant Contact completes this form to request a guided tour on a date and time desired. An email will be sent from the Oklahoma Arts Council to the Grant Contact with a confirmed date and time for the field trip.
School's Grant Contact requests access to the Grant System (if new to Oklahoma Arts Council grants)
School's Grant Contact submits application
Oklahoma Arts Council reviews application
Oklahoma Arts Council sends award notification
School's Authorizing Official accepts grant contract
School’s field trip occurs (state legislators may be notified if schools in their district are visiting the Capitol)
School's Grant Contact submits final report
Oklahoma Arts Council processes grant payment to school/school district
The Oklahoma Arts Council will consider the following when we review applications for grants for schools:
1. Artistic Quality
- Artist Selection
- Selected artist(s) demonstrate artistic expertise and educational experience relevant to the proposed project
- Artist(s) and project provides a relevant, engaging, and meaningful arts experience for students
- Project fosters creative expression, originality, and/or innovation.
- Arts Learning Goals
- Arts learning goals are discipline-specific, developmentally appropriate, and reflect a strong curriculum plan.
- Project demonstrates adequate student hands-on engagement time to achieve provided arts learning goals.
- Student learning assessment plan measures progress toward provided arts learning goals.
- In-school projects have arts learning goals that address the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Fine Arts.
- Project may provide opportunities for teacher training or professional development led by project artist(s). Project Planning and Design
- Project is relevant to the school community.
- Project goals are well-defined
- Timeline, format, and activities are feasible within the scope of the project.
2. Artistic Merit
- Public Value
- Proposal demonstrates the applicant’s ability to execute a project that:
- Aligns with the grant program objectives and goals
- Meets the needs of their students and school community.
- Creates opportunities for their students to participate in the arts. • Directly relates to and serves their students
- Demonstrates a high need for public investment
- Presents a strong case for public funding
- Project may provide opportunities for a culminating event such as end-of-residency exhibits, performances, or other public-facing components.
3. The Oklahoma Arts Council will prioritize funding to serve the following:
- Schools located in geographically isolated and rural areas
- Title I schools
- Limited access to art form
- First-time applicants
Q: My school is already receiving funding through Oklahoma Arts Council’s other school grant program(s). Can I apply for this opportunity?
A: Yes, you can apply for other Oklahoma Arts Council Grants for schools in addition to the Capitol Art Field Trip Grant.
Q: How do I find out if my school has access to the Grants Portal to apply for a grant?
A: Contact the Grants Office at grants@arts.ok.gov.
Contact:
Oklahoma State Capitol Tours
(405) 521-6813
tours@arts.ok.gov
