The National PTA is now accepting applications for the 2012-13 Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grants.

The grants will award local PTAs up to $1,000 in matching funds to student-centered programs geared toward sustaining and enhancing creativity and artistic values for large groups of at-risk students. With research showing students receive the most benefit from programs that include consistent involvement in the arts, the National PTA proudly supports these invaluable opportunities.

Local PTAs are invited to apply for funding to establish or enhance arts programs in one or more arts areas: visual arts, photography, music, dance, literature and theater. Priority is being placed on projects that represent research-based best practices in arts education. Specifically, PTA will fund arts programs that:

  • are of a sustained nature (rather than a one-time event)
  • reach large numbers of at-risk students

Applications are due by Friday, July 13 at 4 p.m. ET and can be submitted here on the PTA’s website.