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ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL
ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL
Sheffield City Schools seeks multiple community arts education partners to bring the joy of the arts to their students as a part of the 2026-2027 school year! They look forward to welcoming Teaching Artists and Arts Organizations that create, increase, and deepen arts-based experiences that can demonstrate measurable progress toward positive student outcomes. On-campus programs (think: artist residencies, in school classes, performances, and more), off-campus experiences (field trips!), and all art forms including visual art, film, textile arts, music, theatre, dance, creative writing, and media arts and the subdisciplines within each are desired.
About Amp Up Arts Role
Amp Up Arts is partnering with Sheffield City Schools to increase comprehensive arts education access for their students in the 2026-2027 school year. That includes accessing multiple community arts partners - we need all of us in order to make a difference for students! Amp Up Arts is facilitating the RFP process by helping to define school needs and create mechanisms for partners to submit proposals. Amp Up Arts will also be providing planning, monitoring, professional development, and community engagement support to the school throughout this project.
Read more about Amp Up Arts here
HOW TO SUBMIT
HOW TO SUBMIT
Click the "Submit Proposal" link below to read about Sheffield City Schools goals and desires for this opportunity. This will also take you to the form to submit a proposal. Then partners have two choices to submit a proposal. Partners will need to select one:
a) Complete the Proposal Submission Form (recommended)
-OR-
b) Prepare and upload a PDF narrative of no more the 2 pages that answers all prompts via the provided link
Sheffield City Schools is requiring the following proposal submission deadline:
April 27, 2026
Incomplete or late submissions are not guaranteed to be reviewed.
FAQ AND IMPORTANT INFO
FAQ AND IMPORTANT INFO
Who is eligible?
Teaching Artists and arts organizations in the North and West areas of Alabama providing quality arts education programming that yields positive student outcomes are invited to submit proposals. All proposals must have a strong arts education focus while responding to school needs.
What is the due date?
April 27th, 2026
What are the partner expectations?
Partners will need to complete a W9
Any required district forms, including a background check in Fieldprint
Show identification for entry to perform services
Selected partners may be required to submit written reports of program outcomes and progress to Amp Up Arts.
Partners are expected to work with the Amp Up Arts to coordinate scheduling, logistics, and any other details to implement selected programs.
Can I submit a proposal for a new or existing program?
Partners may apply with existing programs or create new programs tailored to school goals and needs as articulated on through the "Learn More + Submit" link.
What proposal formats are you accepting?
Proposals may be submitted by either 1) responding to the prompts on the Proposal Submission Form -OR- 2) by uploading a written proposal in PDF format or no more that 2 pages in length via the upload link provided. The choice is up to you. Click "Learn More + Submit" below for the link to submit a proposal.
What is the selection process?
Proposals will be selected by school leadership and evaluated based on the degree of alignment to project goals, school needs, student needs, school culture, and projected outcomes. Since multiple partnerships will be selected, proposals do not need to meet all needs, but do need to articulate which they align to. Partners are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Proposal decisions will be made by Sheffield City Schools personnel only, and therefore feedback regarding unselected proposals cannot be guaranteed.
What is the process for payment?
Payment is arranged through Amp Up Arts. Typically, fifty percent of the total compensation is paid with two weeks of the start date, and fifty percent is paid within one week of the conclusion date and final report submission. This may be adjusted for programs paid through grant funds. Proposal amounts should include any needed supplies and travel.
What if I'm not sure if my program fits the desired criteria?
APPLY ANYWAY! *If you are unsure whether your program meets defined school needs, we highly encourage you to apply anyway* No singular program will fit all needs, and that is ok! It will take many of us working together to accomplish the goals of a school.
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
1:1 Support
Amp Up Arts and the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) is available for 1:1 meetings to support you in your proposal preparation process. Please reach out to us if you'd like some assistance!
Contact Kaci Norman, ASCA Arts Education Program Manager at kaci@arts.alabama.gov for program design or proposal preparation support. Kaci is a valuable resource for designing a program to meet school needs.
Contact Amp Up Arts Executive Director Ashley Lucier at ashley@ampuparts.org. She is happy to help partners prepare an excellent written proposal.
What are Standards + How to Integrate them into your Programming
Developed by our Arts Education Collaboratives, learn fundamental education language, how to access academic and arts education standards, and how to enrich your education programs. This free toolkit is perfect for developing common language with educators and taking your arts education program development to a new level. Designed for Alabama artists, organizations, and informal educators. Access this resource.
Alabama Course of Study Standards in Arts Education
Encompassing the disciplines of dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts, the arts in education program provides opportunities for students to explore the artistic processes of these disciplines while making connections to all subject areas. To emphasize the importance of the arts for Alabama students, the Alabama Course of Study in Arts Education provides rigorous standards for all students in Grades K-12. Learn more.
National Teaching Artists Guild
Teaching Artists Guild (TAG), is a practitioner-led community which raises the visibility and development of artists who teach. Find resources made by Teaching Artists for Teaching Artists, a payrate calculator, and more. Learn more.
The Kennedy Center
Kennedy Center Education offers a wide array of resources and experiences that inspire, excite, and empower students and young artists, plus the tools and connections to help educators incorporate the arts into classrooms of all types. Learn more.
SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO SHEFFIELD CITY SCHOOLS
Sheffield City Schools seeks multiple community arts education partners to bring the joy of the arts to their students! They look forward to welcoming partners who create, increase, and deepen arts-based experiences for PreK-8th grade students during the 2026-2027 school year. Sheffield City Schools seeks partners for both on- and off-campus experiences, and a variety of programs are desired and will be selected that meet preferred criteria. Desired programs include opportunities that:
Connect students with local artists and community partners to build meaningful relationships and cultivate a sense of belonging through shared artistic projects.
Provide authentic, real-world arts experiences to help students explore potential career pathways in creative industries.
Promote student leadership and voice by empowering students to contribute ideas, co-create projects, and share their work with broader audiences.
Blend arts and STEM learning through hands-on projects that incorporate technology, design thinking, experimentation, and creative problem-solving.
Acceptable program formats include: in-school opportunities, artist residencies during school hours, field trips, programs that yield murals, and community arts events.
Sheffield City Schools is accepting proposals for any art form, including visual art, music, theatre, dance, creative writing, and media arts and the subdisciplines within each.
Proposals can be submitted for W.A. Threadgill Primary School (grades PreK-2), L.E. Willson Elementary School (grades 3-6), Sheffield Junior High (grades 7-8), or any combination of the three.
Proposals can begin in August, and may run through the school year, or may be for one quarter or one semester. Some schools require specific schedules and time ranges.
W.A. Threadgill Primary
School Statement of Needs
W.A. Threadgill Primary
School Statement of Needs
"Threadgill Primary School is seeking arts experiences and opportunities that are relatable and culturally relevant for all students in our school.
Our students have many talents that are waiting to be developed. We would love for our partners to offer in-school enrichment for our students and to have music and arts partners to provide opportunities during the upcoming academic year for students in grades PreK-2. We will accept proposals for any weekdays with times between 9:00-2:00pm for the months of August through May.
Sheffield City Schools’ mission to equip every student with real-world skills, confidence, and purpose begins in the earliest grades. Art and music education in Pre-K through 2nd grade play a critical role in this foundation by fostering creativity, collaboration, and self-expression—skills that are essential for future success in any career. These disciplines help young learners build confidence, recognize their unique talents, and develop the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities that support lifelong learning and meaningful contributions to the world. These ideals are clearly reflected in our Strategic Vision's First Pillar.
Ultimately, we would like this opportunity to produce end of semester programs and/or exhibitions that showcases students’ talents and learning."
-W.A. Threadgill Primary School Leadership
L.E. Willson Elementary
School Statement of Needs
L.E. Willson Elementary
School Statement of Needs
"L.E. Willson Elementary is seeking engaging and meaningful arts experiences that reflect the diverse interests and talents of our students. We are particularly interested in visual arts, especially utilizing our on-campus kiln, which has yet to be used, as well as music opportunities such as Show Choir, which drew interest from 47 students last year. We also value school-wide performances that incorporate music, plays, and other creative expressions. We are open to proposals in both visual and performing arts and are eager to offer in-school enrichment during the academic year. These programs would be integrated into our Specials schedule and could be facilitated 2–3 days per week during the school day.
Our goal is to use the arts to positively impact student attendance and engagement, which we believe will lead to improved academic outcomes. These offerings align with all five Pillars of our Strategic Vision by fostering a school environment where students feel excited and motivated to attend."
-L.E. Willson Elementary School Leadership
Sheffield Junior High
School Statement of Needs
Sheffield Junior High
School Statement of Needs
"Sheffield Junior High School is seeking passionate and creative partners to provide engaging arts sessions for our middle school students. As a STEM-certified school, we are especially interested in artists and arts educators who can intentionally integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into their arts instruction. Ideal sessions will connect artistic expression with real-world problem solving, design thinking, innovation, and creativity—helping students see how the arts and STEM work together.
We are particularly interested in individuals who are willing to commit to an 8-9 week rotation of 2-5 days per week. Whether your expertise is in visual arts, music, dance, theater, digital media, or design, we welcome partners who can create hands-on, student-centered experiences that inspire curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking. If you are interested in enriching students’ learning through meaningful arts-and-STEM connections, we encourage you to partner with us."
-Sheffield Junior High School Leadership
Sheffield City Schools will accept proposals in amounts: $0-$15,000 per semester ($30,000 for two semesters)
Proposals Due April 27, 2026
Please read the Request for Proposal (RFP) Below Carefully -
this has important details for the schools' goals, availability, and desired programs.
Apply Anyway! *If you are unsure whether your program meets defined school needs, we highly encourage you to apply anyway* No singular program will fit all needs, and that is ok! It will take many of us working together to accomplish the goals of the school.
Questions about completing your proposal?
Please feel free to reach out to Amp Up Arts Executive Director, Ashley Lucier at ashley@ampuparts.org
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