CFAs: Leela Mukherjee Artist-Educator Grant (India)

Deadline: 05-Sep-2026

The Leela Mukherjee Artist-Educator Grant supports Indian artist-educators developing or running visual art education projects for school-aged children between 5 and 18 years. The grant encourages projects that combine artistic practice and education while incorporating local knowledge, lived experiences, and innovative teaching methods. Three selected projects will each receive Rs. 1 lakh for a grant period of up to 12 months. Applicants must be Indian citizens and residents aged over 18 and must be directly involved in developing and implementing a visual arts education project located in India. What Is the Leela Mukherjee Artist-Educator Grant? The Leela Mukherjee Artist-Educator Grant is an annual grant program established by the Mrinalini Mukherjee Foundation in 2024. The grant honors the legacy of Leela Mukherjee, a pioneering modernist sculptor and committed art educator in India. Her work reflected a strong belief in the importance of creativity and art education in the development of young people. The grant builds on this legacy by supporting artist-educators who combine their own artistic practice with educational engagement. Purpose of the Grant The program aims to strengthen visual art education for children by supporting innovative projects that connect artistic practice with children’s everyday environments and experiences. The grant particularly encourages projects that: - Integrate local knowledge into art education - Draw on children’s lived experiences - Explore innovative teaching approaches - Encourage creativity - Promote critical engagement with art and surroundings - Connect artistic practice with educational practice - Create meaningful visual arts experiences for children Projects can take place inside or outside formal classroom environments. Grant Amount and Duration The Leela Mukherjee Artist-Educator Grant provides:

- Grant amount: Rs. 1 lakh per selected project

- Number of grants: 3

- Maximum grant period: 12 months

- Location: India

- Focus: Visual arts education

- Target children: Ages 5 to 18

Three artist-educators or eligible collectives will therefore receive support during this grant cycle. Who Is Eligible? The grant is open to Indian artist-educators who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

- Be Indian citizens. - Be residents of India. - Be above 18 years of age. - Be directly involved in developing and running the proposed project. - Develop or operate a visual art education project. - Work with children aged 5 to 18. - Locate the proposed project within India. - Focus the project on the visual arts. Applicants should demonstrate a meaningful connection between their artistic practice and their educational work. Are Collectives Eligible? Yes. Artist collectives can apply provided that all members of the collective meet the eligibility requirements. The collective should clearly explain the roles of its members and demonstrate who will be responsible for developing and implementing the proposed project. What Types of Projects Are Supported? The grant supports visual art education projects involving children aged 5 to 18.

Projects can be conducted:

- Within formal school settings - Outside formal classrooms - Through community-based learning - Through alternative educational environments - Through innovative visual arts activities The emphasis is not simply on teaching technical art skills. Proposals should demonstrate how artistic practice, education, local knowledge, and children’s lived experiences come together. Local Knowledge and Lived Experiences A key feature of the grant is the integration of local knowledge and lived environments into visual art education. Applicants are encouraged to consider how children can engage creatively with their surroundings, communities, cultures, histories, and everyday experiences. A strong project may therefore use the local environment as a source of artistic exploration while allowing children to connect their own experiences with creative learning. Artistic and Educational Practice Applicants should clearly demonstrate the relationship between their own artistic practice and their educational work.

The proposal should explain:

- How the applicant’s artistic practice informs teaching - How children will engage with visual arts - What artistic methods will be introduced - How educational activities will encourage creativity - How the project will connect artistic exploration with children’s experiences The grant is particularly relevant to artist-educators who see artistic practice and education as interconnected rather than separate activities. What Should the Project Proposal Include? Applicants should provide a clear and practical description of their proposed project. The proposal should address several important areas. Student Group Describe the children who will participate in the project.

Include information such as:

- Age group - Approximate number of students - Learning environment - Relevant characteristics of the student group - How participants will engage with the project Artistic and Educational Intersection Explain how the applicant’s artistic practice intersects with their educational practice. This section should demonstrate why the applicant is well positioned to deliver the proposed project. Innovative Strategies and Artistic Methods Describe the new or innovative approaches that will be explored.

Applicants should explain:

- Teaching strategies - Artistic methods - Creative exercises - Learning approaches - How children will participate - How the approach differs from conventional art education Expected Outcomes Applicants should explain what they expect to achieve during the 12-month grant period.

Potential outcomes may relate to:

- Children’s creativity - Artistic skills - Critical thinking - Engagement with local environments - Confidence in creative expression - Understanding of visual arts - New approaches to art education Tentative Budge