The Ellies Teacher Travel Grants will provide three K-12 teachers with $5,000 for travel that will ultimately enrich their classroom curriculum. By encouraging teachers to explore and then return to share art experiences with their students, these grants will help to create the audiences that our museums and arts organizations need to thrive.

Applications will be accepted from April 21, 2021 through May 17, 2021 at 6 p.m.

Our Teacher Travel Grants are open to all K-12 art teachers in any Miami-Dade County public or private school.

Three per year.

$5,000 per teacher.

No, as long as the teacher states in the application how the trip will enhance his or her teaching of the visual arts and the students’ classroom experience.

Travel must be completed by October 2023. Should the Coronavirus pandemic continue to preclude travel, we will work with winners on adjusting their plans.

A jury of local arts leaders and arts teachers will read and choose from among the submitted applications.

While a worthwhile endeavor, this funding is limited to art teachers traveling without students.

You may if you like. Please be sure to fill out two separate applications.

Please contact [email protected] or attend an information session.

The Michael Richards Award is designed to celebrate a Miami-Dade artist who has created a recognized body of original, high-quality art over a sustained period of time and who, through his or her practice, is achieving the highest levels of professional distinction in the visual arts. The award includes a “no strings attached” stipend of $75,000 over two years, and the opportunity to be commissioned by the Oolite Arts in collaboration with The Bass, to create a work to be exhibited at the museum.

The Michael Richards Award is not open to applications. The recipient will be nominated and selected by a jury of national and local curators and arts experts.

Michael Richards was an emerging artist gaining recognition for his work when he was killed working in his studio in the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks. From 1997 to 2000 Richards was an artist in residence at Oolite Arts. Read more about Richards.

The recipient will receive $75,000 payable over two years, no strings attached. In addition, Oolite Arts will commission a piece from the artist for display at The Bass.

The recipient must be an eminent artist with a track record of distinguished artistic achievement, the desire to continue growing, and the ambition to advance his or her career. We hope the recipient will use the award to further his or her artistic practice, and have a continued impact on the visual arts and on Miami-Dade County in general. The artist must be a resident of Miami-Dade County at the time of selection and must maintain the residency during the period of the award.  Proof of residency will be required in order to receive the award.

Please contact [email protected] or attend an informational session.