BALTIMORE— Arts for Learning Maryland (formerly Young Audiences of Maryland) has been approved for a $40,000 Grants for Arts Projects award from the National Endowment from the Arts to support its Principal Fellowship Program, a year-long initiative supporting Baltimore City Public School principals in integrating the arts into learning.

Now in its third year, the Principal Fellowship will create a cohort of school leaders to explore the arts’ power to transform school culture, enhance learning and spur social emotional growth. In 12 sessions over the 2022 summer, they will engage in collaborative planning, one-on-one coaching by teaching artists, and observations of the Summer Arts for Learning Academy and cultural institutions. The 10 principals in the cohort will each create an action plan to leverage the arts as a tool for positive change and academic improvement at their school.

The Principal Fellowship supports Baltimore City Public Schools’ Blueprint For Success priorities of whole child development, literacy, and leadership.

This grant, which marks the fifth consecutive year that Arts For Learning Maryland has received NEA funding, is part of the NEA’s nearly $29 million in funding of 1,248 projects across America that were selected to receive this first round of fiscal year 2022 funding in the Grants for Arts Projects category.

“Year after year, our work reiterates that true commitment to the arts in ways that help students thrive requires strong school leadership,” said Stacie Sanders Evans, President and CEO of Arts for Learning Maryland. “We’re so thankful for the NEA’s support in ensuring Baltimore’s principals understand the impact of the arts and have the tools necessary to leverage creativity and enhance student learning.”

“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support arts projects like this one from Arts for Learning Maryland that helps support the community’s creative economy,” said NEA Acting Chair Ann Eilers. “Arts for Learning Maryland in Baltimore is among the arts organizations nationwide that are using the arts as a source of strength, a path to well-being, and providing access and opportunity for people to connect and find joy through the arts.”

For more information on other projects included in the Arts Endowment grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.