Kindergartener Natalie Brown at Polk Central Elementary

Tryon Fine Arts Center is looking for teachers who think BIG! TFAC’s Be Inspired Grant applications, due May 2, will provide up to $500 to bring the arts into local classrooms.

Past recipients have used the funds for lightboxes, for art supplies, for banjos, for musical equipment, for art books, for guest artists, and for many, many other art projects. Teachers from Polk, Spartanburg, Greenville and Henderson Counties are eligible to apply.

The kindergarten class at Polk Central Elementary recently completed a project where they studied the lives and art of Monet, Van Gogh, and Eric Carle. They then used materials purchased with teacher Loretta Edward’s BIG grant money to create their own art in the styles of each of these artists.

The project culminated in an art gala held in the media center at the school to which the school and community was invited. Students discussed their experiences learning about the famous artists.

Dr. Bob Pettis’ Polk County Middle School students used materials and supplies purchased with BIG funds to enhance the creativity of the science projects they designed, such as dragsters created by eighth graders.

The grant is available to area K-12 teachers of all kinds, not just art teachers. Teachers can find an application on the Tryon Fine Arts Center website, www.tryonarts.org. It’s short and simple to complete, and it will help provide invaluable experiences for area students. TFAC looks forward to hearing BIG ideas.

Tryon Fine Arts Center located at 34 Melrose Avenue in Tryon provides live performances on stage and exceptional outreach through its Arts In Education programs.

For more information on BIG grants, contact Susan Brady at 828-859-8832 ext. 213 or at susan@tryonarts.org.

-Submitted by Ellen Douglas