The Leela Mukherjee Artist-Educator Grant is an initiative supported by the Mrinalini Mukherjee Foundation, which is deeply invested in nurturing artistic expression, cultural learning, and education in India. The foundation is dedicated to building a more inclusive and sustainable ecosystem for art and artists, emphasizing the transformative power of art in education and community development. It draws inspiration from the life and work of Leela Mukherjee, a renowned artist-educator whose commitment to socially engaged art and learning shaped generations of young minds. This initiative celebrates her legacy by encouraging artist-educators who bring creativity into everyday learning spaces. By offering grants, the foundation empowers individuals and collectives who use art as a medium to engage with young learners, local cultures, and lived experiences. It seeks to strengthen projects that merge pedagogy with artistic practice, making education a more holistic and locally rooted experience. The foundation believes that art education, when integrated with the understanding of one’s environment and community, can lead to more meaningful, reflective, and impactful learning experiences for children. Through this grant, it aims to fuel innovative educational practices while supporting artists committed to shaping the next generation.

The Leela Mukherjee Artist-Educator Grant is an annual funding opportunity designed for Indian artist-educators working with school-aged children (between 5 to 18 years old). The grant supports projects that combine artistic practice with educational engagement, aiming to enrich children’s learning through creative methods. It is open to initiatives taking place either within or outside conventional classroom settings. The core objective is to recognize and empower artist-educators who integrate local knowledge, environments, and personal experiences into their teaching methodologies. The selected project should aim to be completed within 12 months, and must be rooted in innovation, community engagement, and artistic exploration.

Applicants are expected to engage directly with the students throughout the duration of the project. The proposal should clearly articulate the purpose, expected outcomes, artistic techniques involved, and how the teaching and creative processes intersect. Whether the initiative is ongoing or in its planning stage, the grant provides a platform to realize impactful art-based educational projects across India. A well-defined budget and timeline are essential components of the application. Collectives and independent applicants are both encouraged to apply, provided they meet the outlined requirements. The grant supports not just the execution of the project but also the expansion of art education as a dynamic and inclusive practice.