Grants Awarded 2025
Arianna Daron
Arianna will be working with Zahira on a remake of an outdoor garden area at the Trout Lake School. They will work with first grade students to create colorful painted rocks that will decorate the garden and add color year around.
Lupe Medina
Lupe will be working with journalism teacher Mr. Moon to set up a professional-quality photography studio at the school. This will be used by the journalism and publications class and will allow the students to tell visual stories representing the Trout Lake School community and develop the skills necessary to use, operate, and care for it. The new lab will include special indoor flash and lighting equipment, background props, reflecting umbrellas, and other items. The students will be using the photographs to produce the yearbook, Laker Magazine, slide shows of athletic teams and club events, team pictures, and more.
Milissa Hollister
Ms. Hollister will be using her grant with her 4th grade class. The class will be studying the Oregon Trail this year. To better understand the pioneer experience the study will include art, sewing, and creative performance. This year the students will create and stitch their own pouch that they will use to hold tokens as they travel along the trail to Oregon. Ms. Hollister would like to use this as a starting point to establish a trunk of pioneer inspired garments that the students could wear while working on this unit.
Tony Fuentes
Mr. Fuentes is teaching a class titled American Music Lab at Trout Lake School. This class engages middle and high school students in exploring the traditions of American Folk roots, and rock music through songwriting, instrumental performance, and creative collaboration. To help build creativity he will be using the grant funds to bring in other musicians to share their skills and knowledge with the students, creating connections with professional musicians, providing mentorships, and inspiration that will extend beyond the classroom.
Grant Guidelines
ArtSmart Trout Lake provides project-based grants to foster arts education for students of all ages in Trout Lake, Washington and surrounding communities.
Funding may be used for artist fees, materials, equipment, mileage, and many other needs related to your arts education project. Grants will be awarded to arts education initiatives based on feasibility, reach, and creativity. Grants are not available for brick and mortar requests (buildings, remodels, room repairs, rent).
A strong application will demonstrate 20% matching funds and list in-kind support.
Grants are awarded once yearly. The application deadline is Oct 15 of each year. Grant awards are made by Dec 15.
Grant reports will consist of receipts, photo documentation, and narrative description.
Example projects that are well aligned with the ArtSmart mission include:
• Arts summer camp
• After-school arts program for kids
• Clay for a pottery project
• Audio equipment for the theatre program
• Musical instruments for preschool education
• A weekend music workshop for adults
Download our application form to apply.
A completed example application is also available as a guide.
Submit the completed application to:
tlartscouncil@gmail.com
or mail to:
ArtSmart Trout Lake
c/o Trout Lake Arts Council
PO Box 78
Trout Lake, WA 98650
Funded Grants
Shibori Dyeing
Trout Lake artist Julie Beeler taught Trout Lake School students the art of Shibori indigo dyeing. The techniques learned complement studies in plants, math patterns, and sewing. 
Botanical Art
The 3rd grade class at Trout Lake School was granted funding to bring a visiting artist to the classroom to included botanical art with their Lewis and Clark studies. 
Botanical Art and Natural Dyes
Artist Molly Holmlund taught botanical art to the Trout Lake School 3rd graders. They gathered plant materials, explored drawing, and painted using natural pigments.
Digital arts and IPads
The Trout Lake School was granted funding for iPads for digital arts, design, illustration, video editing and storytelling in the Arts and Spanish curriculums. Western Dance
The 4th grade class at Trout Lake School was granted funding for a visiting dance teacher so music and movement can be included in their Westward Movement studies.
Contra and Pioneer Dance
The 4th made class at Trout Lake School studied contra and pioneer dance with musician Linda Robertson to support their Westward Movement studies. 
Classroom Ukuleles
The Trout Lake School music program was granted funding for 20 ukuleles, giving many students the opportunity to learn a versatile and foundational instrument.Preschool Music Education
Dragonfly Play School was granted funding for musical instruments and a visiting music instructor. Music accelerates brain development and increases school readiness in preschool children.Music and Movement
Dragonfly Play School, a Trout Lake preschool, received ArtSmart funding for musical instruments and Music & Movement instruction by Husum educator Jennifer Harty.
