Summer in the library

The Cullman Center Institute for Teachers is accepting applications to its popular three-week summer seminars at the New York Public Library’s landmark building on Fifth Avenue. K–12 teachers are encouraged to apply. Participants get a $300 stipend, a private office for the week, and breakfast and lunch each day. This summer’s seminars include a nonfiction writing workshop with Adrian Nicole LeBlanc, the author of “Random Family”; a creative writing workshop with Chilean novelist Alejandro Zambra; and a seminar that will be rich with primary documents on “The Changing View of Nature in the Age of Discoveries.” Two letters of recommendation are required.

DEADLINE: April 17.
CONTACT: Cullman Center Institute for Teachers

Art achievements recognized

The College Board is looking for applications for the 2016 College Board Awards for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts. The award recognizes and celebrates the achievements of arts initiatives that serve students in grades 6–12 and that promote student learning and creativity in exemplary and innovative ways. Three schools will receive $5,000 awards. One of those winners will be named the national winner and receive an additional $2,500. Eligibility: Middle and high schools. Awards will be given to model programs in three categories:

• Arts Integration, which recognizes a middle or high school program that uses an innovative approach to cross-curricular study, drawing connections between arts-based learning and the themes, content and ideas of other subjects, including English language arts, science, and/or other areas;
• Equity Through Arts, which will be given to a successful middle or high school arts program that uses the arts as a tool for increasing academic engagement among underserved students; and
• Civic Engagement and Professional Partnerships, which will go to a middle or high school arts program that uses arts experiences as vehicles for community engagement.

DEADLINE: April 18
CONTACT: acharleroy@collegeboard.org; College Board

Promote the great outdoors

KEEN Footwear is seeking applications for the KEEN Effect program. The program provides grants to nonprofit organizations around the world that are dedicated to responsible outdoor participation. Funds: Grants up to $10,000. Eligibility: K–12 public schools and nonprofit organizations. There are no age demographic limitations on this grant. To be eligible, projects must increase responsible outdoor participation as a way to work toward building a strong community; should be innovative and creative; and should have clear goals and measurable objectives. Projects that introduce new audiences to the outdoors through responsible outdoor participation will receive special consideration.

DEADLINE: Aug. 1.
CONTACT: keeneffect@keenfootwear.com; KEEN Footwear

Lifting up women

Philanthropic Educational Organization International is seeking applications for its Program for Continuing Education grants. The program provides financial assistance to women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete a degree or certification that improves their marketable skills for employment in order to support themselves and their families. Grants range up to $3,000.

DEADLINE: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
CONTACT: Philanthropic Educational Organization International

Teaching matters

The Elizabeth Rohatyn Prize for Schools Where Teaching Matters program will award $25,000 to a public school that advances opportunities for students by positioning teachers to lead, learn and thrive. Eligibility: Public schools within a 100-mile radius of New York City are eligible. In the last five years, winners have used the award to expand a teacher mentorship project; support a model teacher initiative; fuel teacher collaboration for instructional design; refine a “triad model” of joint teaching; and develop online tools to spread collaboration. Submissions must demonstrate exemplary practice in attracting, growing or retaining great teachers. The selection process includes voting by the public and a distinguished panel of judges. The prize is awarded at the annual Elizabeth Rohatyn Prize Luncheon on July 20.

DEADLINE: May 10.
CONTACT: Elizabeth Rohatyn Prize