Several established paths can cover SPARK program costs. Some require no grant application or district budget process at all. This page outlines the options so you can figure out what might work for your school and bring it to the right person.
Funding options
Three paths worth exploring.
Most PTAs and PTOs maintain a budget specifically for student enrichment events — programs that go beyond the regular curriculum and create memorable school experiences. A live professional foundry operation fits that category well.
A SPARK session is a single-day event with a fixed, all-inclusive price. That makes it straightforward for a PTA treasurer to evaluate, easy to present at a board meeting, and simple to approve. At $2,750 for up to 50 students — or $55 per student at full capacity — it compares favorably with a field trip.
The PTA can fund the full program independently, or co-fund alongside the school's arts budget or another source. Either way works and we're happy to provide any documentation a board needs.
How to make it happen
1
Bring the program page or the one-page teacher overview to your PTA president or enrichment committee
2
Request a line item at the next PTA board meeting — "professional arts enrichment event, $2,750, all-inclusive"
3
Once approved, submit a booking inquiry and we'll confirm your date and send a Letter of Agreement
One-page program summary ready to print and bring to your board — download it here →
New York State school districts that work with a regional BOCES may be able to book this program through their Arts in Education or Exploratory Enrichment service — generating state aid reimbursement on program costs that can significantly reduce the net expense to your district.
Your district's BOCES coordinator handles the booking and billing process. You don't need to manage the funding mechanics — just make the introduction.
This path is most applicable to the SPARK single-day program. Reach out to us or contact Carrie directly if you have questions about how the booking process works for your district.
What to ask for
1
Contact your district's BOCES liaison or curriculum director and ask about booking through:
Reference French Mountain Studios — we're already in contact with WSWHE BOCES and are happy to work directly with your coordinator on scheduling and paperwork
Not sure which CoSer applies in your district? Reach out to us — we can help figure out the right path for your region.
New York State's Arts in Education funding — administered through NYSCA and distributed via regional arts councils — can support school arts programming when routed through an eligible nonprofit organization.
If your school already works with a regional arts council for programming, ask them whether existing Arts in Education funds can be applied to a SPARK engagement. This path is most viable for schools in Warren, Washington, or Saratoga counties where regional arts infrastructure is established.
This path involves more parties than the PTA or BOCES routes. If speed or simplicity matters, start with path 1 or 2 first.
Who to ask
1
Check whether your school or district works with a regional arts council — LARAC (Glens Falls), ArtsWestchester, or a similar organization in your county
2
Ask your arts coordinator or principal whether NYS Arts in Education funding is available through any existing relationships or grant cycles
3
Contact us — we can discuss whether this path is a realistic fit for your situation: entwisjj@gmail.com
NYSCA funds flow through nonprofit fiscal sponsors, not directly to schools or program providers. Your regional arts council is the right first call for this path.
The PTA path
The PTA path requires no grant application and no district budget process — a teacher brings the program to their enrichment committee, the board approves a line item, and the booking moves forward. For many schools it's the fastest route from interest to a confirmed date.
Get in touch
Not sure where to start?
Tell us your situation — district, grade level, timeline — and we'll share what we know about the options that might apply. No pressure, no obligation.
