2021-2022 School Registration Open
Poetry Out Loud is a national program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high schools across the country.

The 2021-2022 Delaware Poetry Out Loud program and state finals will be implemented virtually. The Division will provide guidance in running your school's Poetry Out Loud program and is happy to answer any questions or concerns.
2021 Delaware State Champion Rebecca Wisniewski
Important Program Dates
School Registration Deadline
October 15, 2021
Classroom Instruction/School Competitions
October-December 2021
Deadline to Report School Winners
December 17, 2021
Student Coaching and Performance Recordings
January-February 2022
Delaware State Semi-final and Finals
TBA
Poetry Out Loud National Finals
April 25-27, 2022
Delaware Arts in Education
National Arts in Education Week logo comprised of words and a star with each of its points in a different color
The arts are an essential part of a complete education. Students of all ages - from kindergarten to college to creative aging programs - benefit from artistic learning, innovative thinking and creativity. National Arts in Education week—September 12-18—celebrates and recognizes the importance of the arts to a well-rounded education. Here are a few ways the Division supports arts in education.
Grants for Schools
Students' drawings of owls hanging in groups of six on bulletin display boards in a school hallway
The Division offers a variety of grants for Delaware Pre-K through 12 public, charter, private, and parochial schools that have an established arts curriculum and staff. Learn more about the Division's Grants for Schools.
Teaching Artists on the
Artist Roster
The Delaware Artist Roster helps interested parties find and connect with Delaware Teaching Artists who are interested in teaching in the schools and in arts and community organizations.
Farewell to Kathleen
In early August, the Division bid farewell to Kathleen Dinsmore, our Organization Support Program Officer. Kathleen was integral to the Division's grants process as the Organization Support Program Officer where her excellent work and attention to detail benefitted many. She provided assistance and support to grantees both pre- and post-award, helping them navigate smARTDE, the grant guidelines, and grantee responsibilities. In addition, she ensured that our grants review process ran smoothly, particularly rising to the occasion this past year as everything was done virtually due to COVID-19. We wish her all the best as she embraces her new opportunity!
On the Mezzanine
Peninsula
by Jason Jellick
Black and white photograph by Jason Jellick of an old kitchen that does not appear to have been used in a long time with an old electric stove as the focus of the image
Image: untitled, 2019, 35 mm photograph, 11 x 14 inches
Peninsula, an exhibition of photographs by 2021 Artist Fellow Jason Jellick will be on view in the Mezzanine Gallery from September 3-24, 2021. An opening reception is scheduled for September 10 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Jellick began the artistic journey of this exhibit about a year ago, driving the meandering, contemplative two-lane roads of the Delmarva Peninsula, working mainly in Delaware and Maryland, but occasionally Virginia as well. It is a series about place, he says, but it is also about the metaphor of a peninsula itself — one way in and one way out — providing a means to express the gamut of the human experience and emotions.

His stark black-and-white images speak to the viewer both powerfully and purely. He creates that emotive feel through the use of 35mm cameras and Ilford HP5 film. The work is challenging, he notes, but “…it should be after all. To produce anything aesthetically high should be a huge challenge.”
The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington. Visitors to the Gallery should enter via the main doors on 9th and French Streets. Visitors must wear face coverings and maintain 3 feet distance from other individuals not in their household.
2021 Artist Fellows Banner
Meet the Fellows

Jack Knight
2021 Established Professional Fellow, Visual Arts: Sculpture
Jack Knight was "always drawing as a kid," even though his high school had no studio art lessons, only classes in art history. But those classes led him into the art world. There, he was mesmerized by two widely disparate artworks that deeply inspired him. "Seeing Picasso's Three Musicians and Stuart Davis' Lucky Strike was the spark that ignited my interest even more." Read more on Knight's Meet the Fellow page.
Headshot of Jack Knight in front of a dark background
Cassandra Lewis
2021 Established Professional Fellow, Literature: Playwriting
Headshot of Cassandra Lewis outside in front of a water feature surrounded by bare trees completely wrapped in small lights
Photo: Peter W. Slattery
Before Cassandra Lewis started writing plays, she was an actor. But frustrated with the superficial roles she was getting to play in the theater, Lewis began writing pieces for herself - first monologues, then plays. She became increasingly fascinated by the ways in which "great plays bridge our imaginations with empathy and social change, revealing perspectives and stories different from our own." Read more on Lewis' Meet the Fellow page.
Featured Opportunities
COVID-19 Updates and Resources
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
USArtists International 2021-2022 Grants
Application Deadline:
September 9, 2021 for projects taking place between Dec. 15, 2021 and Dec. 14, 2022
December 1, 2021 for projects taking place between March 15, 2022 and March 14, 2023
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Logo
USArtists International supports performances by U.S. dance, music, and theater solo artists and ensembles invited to perform at important cultural festivals and performing arts marketplaces anywhere in the world outside the United States and its territories. This grant program has recently expanded to accept applications for virtual performances (live streamed or pre-recorded) at eligible international festivals. USArtists International grantees reflect the vibrant diversity of U.S. artists and creative expression in the performing arts. The next program deadline is September 9, 2021. To learn more about the program, read the program guidelines, or view additional deadlines, please visit Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation's website.
The Russell J. Efros Foundation
RJE Sprout Fund
Application Deadline:
Rolling Deadline

The Russell J. Efros Foundation established the RJE Sprout Fund in 2021 to support artists with direct funds for projects that the artists will complete within the next 12 months. All artists are encouraged to apply for the funds and to apply for projects that involve their communities. Learn more and apply to the RJE Sprout Fund.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants
Application Deadline:
September 28, 2021

The National Endowment for the Humanities' Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants are open to humanities organizations to enable infrastructure development and capacity building. They fund two distinct types of projects: Capital Projects and Digital Infrastructure. Learn more about the Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants and how to apply.
Competitions
COVID-19 Heroes Campaign Art Contest
Deadline: September 30, 2021
The American Pharmacists Association invites you to submit an entry to its COVID-19 Heroes Campaign art contest. The selected artist will receive a $7,500 commission for a painted art piece that will be framed and installed in the American Pharmacists Association Headquarters Building in Washington, DC. The selected piece will best capture the theme "Contributions of the Pharmacy Team During COVID-19." Learn more about the contest's themes and rules and access the entry form here.
2022 YoungArts
National Arts Competition
Deadline: October 15, 2021
YoungArts, the nation's leading arts competition for young artists, invites United States-based artists ages 15-18, or grades 10-12, to apply to its 2022 YoungArts National Arts Competition. Artists can apply in the discipline of their choice from one of ten disciplines in the visual, literary, or performing arts. If selected, the young artists receive financial awards and opportunities to work with leading artists. YoungArts also provides winners with exclusive creative and professional development support throughout their careers. Apply here.
Professional Development Opportunities
2021 Arts Education Partnership
Virtual Gathering
September 14-15, 2021
The Arts Education Partnership invites arts and education leaders to join their second Virtual Gathering this year to explore solutions aimed at ensuring all learners receive a well-rounded education that includes the arts. During this interactive event, you will have opportunities to connect and engage with your arts and education colleagues, hear from keynote speakers, and attend panel discussions and concurrent sessions. Registration is now open.
Americans for the Arts
Emergency Preparedness for Public Art Collections Live Web Event
September 14, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. EST
With extreme weather conditions occurring more frequently across the United States, emergency preparedness plans for public art collections are a necessity. During this 3-hour live web event, led by public art conservators, participants will learn how to develop an emergency preparedness plan for their public art collections. Register here.
2021 Creative Vitality Summit
Presented by WESTAF
September 20-21, 2021
WESTAF invites you to the 2021 Creative Vitality Summit, a virtual conference on the creative economy. Participants will hear from today's creative economy experts, arts and culture leaders, and equity champions and participate in community-led discussions around how the creative economy intersects with alternative economic models. To learn more about the 2021 Creative Vitality Summit or to register, check out the Creative Vitality Summit website.
The Creative Center's Virtual Training Institute for Artists and Administrators in Healthcare and Creative Aging 2021
November 2021
The Creative Center at University Settlement invites artists and administrators to apply for their upcoming virtual training that focuses on the role of the arts in healthcare and creative aging. The training will consist of presentations, workshops, and discussion groups throughout the month of November. Click here to see the full schedule. If selected to attend, the artists and administrators will learn how to create and implement "best practice" arts programming in a variety of healthcare settings. Click here to apply.
Each month we feature a handful of arts and community-based organizations and their programs and projects funded by the Delaware Division of the Arts. Funding for Division of the Arts grants is provided by the Delaware General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. To view past grants awarded (2000 to present), please visit our Grants Awarded page.
First State Ballet Theatre
First State Ballet Theatre Outdoors
Easterseals Delaware &
Maryland's Eastern Shore
Artfulness program
Seaford Community Concert Association
Seaford Community Concerts
Town of Laurel
One Laurel Mural
We remind and recommend that organizations, businesses, and individual artists submit their 2021 and 2022 events as soon as they are scheduled, and no later than the recommended deadlines below. Submit now
Event Date
September - November 2021
December 2021 & January 2022
February & March 2022
April & May 2022
June & July 2022
August & September 2022
Submission Deadline
As soon as possible
October 1, 2021
December 1, 2021
February 1, 2022
April 1, 2022
June 1, 2022
Ongoing Division Grant Deadlines
Arts Access Grants: rolling deadline, submitted at least 6 weeks prior to project start date

Artist Residency Grants: rolling deadline, submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the residency start date

Artist Opportunity: deadline 10/1/2021, for activities occurring between 11/15/2021-2/15/2022

Artist Roster: rolling deadline
Please note: All applications for grants must be submitted through smARTDE.
The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.