5x5 and Teacher Arts Grants (TAG)

This page contains information related to the 5×5 and Teacher Arts Grants (TAG) Program Proposals from arts organizations for the 2026-2027 School Year. Teachers and administrators, please see timeline below and check back July 20 for the teacher and administrator application.

What are the 5×5 and Teachers Arts Grants (TAG)? 

5×5 and Teacher Arts Grants (TAG) support K-12 teachers and administrators in enhancing classroom instruction throughout the Fund for the Arts service area (Bullitt, Jefferson, Oldham, and Shelby counties in Kentucky; and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana). 5×5 and TAG programs are directly connected to core learning outcomes and complement what students are learning in the classroom

How do 5×5 and TAG work?  

5×5 and TAG are grant-funded programs. Approved program proposals from arts organizations are included in the online 5×5 and TAG Program Brochure, which is provided to teachers and administrators to select from for their 2026-2027 school year grant application. Teachers and administrators are asked to submit one application for each program their school is requesting. Schools may apply for more than one program, and if they are applying for multiple programs, we recommend no more than six program applications per school.  

If awarded, FFTA notifies both arts organizations and schools of their award(s). Schools work directly with arts organizations to schedule programming. While the school is awarded the program grant, FFTA pays arts organizations for completed awarded programs and pays the schools for awarded Field Trip bus funds.

Who is eligible to apply? 

To be eligible to apply as a 5×5/TAG arts organization, applicants must meet all of the following criteria: 

• Recognized as a 501(c)(3) for at least the last three consecutive years. 
• Has a primary place of business in Greater Louisville. 
• Employs at least one full-time equivalent (FTE) staff or contract person to ensure consistent delivery of programs. 
• Maintains liability coverage of no less than $1,000,000. 
• Has skilled, trained teaching artists with classroom and teaching experience in the applicant’s artistic area of expertise. 
• Completes annual background checks on all teaching artists who interact with students.  
• Be in good standing with current and/or previous Fund for the Arts grant requirements and reporting. 

Mission and Programs: 

• Has at least three years of experience providing arts in learning programming in schools and/or out-of-school-time locations.
• Provides arts in learning programming at least nine months of the year and that aligns with at least one of the following artistic areas: Art Museums, Dance, Design, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Literary Arts, Media Arts, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater, Visual Arts.
• Provides arts in learning programs that are directly connected to core content and academic standards and can provide evidence of the connection. 

How do I/we apply? 

• Please submit one application for each program your organization would like to offer through 5×5 and TAG. 
• You are welcome to copy and paste into fields, but please avoid list markers and extra formatting. 
• If you are a returning organization (an organization who provided 5×5/TAG programming in 2025-2026) who would like to submit a 2026-2027 program with some, or no, changes for consideration, please complete the abbreviated application. 
  • Prior to submitting an abbreviated application, please review your organization’s descriptions as presented in the 2025-2026 School Year 5×5 and TAG Program Brochure here.
  • If your organization offered a 2025-2026 program that is not available in the upcoming school year, you do not need to include that program in the abbreviated application. Only programs submitted via the abbreviated and/or full application will be considered for 2026-2027. 
  • You may include up to 10 programs for resubmission per abbreviated application. If you would like to submit more than 10 programs for resubmission, you will need to submit multiple abbreviated applications. 
• Arts organizations should not exceed 15 total proposed programs (new and/or old) for 2026-2027. 

What is the deadline to apply? 

All Program Proposals are due in the Online Grant Portal by 11:59 pm, EST Friday, May 15.

Preliminary Timeline  

Italicized rows are specific to school teachers and administrators, but have been included for arts organization reference. All times listed are EST.  

Monday, March 30	5×5 and TAG Program Application Opens in the Fund for the Arts (FFTA) Online Grant Portal
Tuesdays 4-5 pm	Virtual Office Hours with FFTA Staff Zoom Link: Join Zoom Meeting ID: 835 5540 2129 Passcode: 393225 Call-In Number: +1 (312) 626-6799 Virtual Office Hours provide time for questions and assistance with FFTA staff. Additional resources include the recorded Information Session.
By Friday, May 15 11:59 pm	5×5 and TAG Program Applications Due in the FFTA Online Grant Portal
By Monday, June 1	Final 2025-2026 Impact Surveys due in the FFTA Online Grant Portal
By Monday, June 15	2025-2026 5×5 and TAG Invoices must be submitted via email to FFTA Please see 2025-2026 award email for more information.
By Friday, June 26	Applicants Notified of Program Approval Status with Draft Brochure Included for Review
By Monday, July 13	Final Brochure Edits Due to FFTA
Monday, July 20	Teacher & Administrator Application Opens in the FFTA Online Grant Portal
Friday, August 21	Teacher & Administrator deadline to receive staff feedback/assistance on application in advance of application deadline
By Friday, September 4 11:59 pm	Teacher & Administrator Applications Due in the FFTA Online Grant Portal
Monday, September 7 – Wednesday, September 23	5×5 and TAG Teacher & Administrator Application Review Period
By Friday, September 25	Award Announcements emailed to school liaisons and principals + Arts Organizations
September 28, 2025 – May 28, 2026	Programs may begin after scheduling with arts organizations; all teaching artists must have required background checks complete prior to starting their programs.
Friday, November 13	Program Schedules Due in the Fund for the Arts online grant portal
By Friday, May 27, 2027	Final Impact Surveys due in the FFTA online grant portal* *Pending School District Approvals
By Monday, June 15, 2027	5×5 and TAG Invoices must be submitted via email to FFTA

Apply!

 

Information Session

Questions? 

Contact the Fund for the Arts Community Investment & Support Team at grants@fundforthearts.org or join Virtual Office Hours Tuesday 4 – 5 pm (see Timeline for more information).