We’re proud to announce that we have been selected as a 2025-2026 recipient of the ASE Larry Marone Grant, a national honor recognizing excellence in art education within special education settings.
The grant proposal was submitted by Arianna Cropp, Bridges’s counselor, art teacher, and member of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) and its Art in Special Education (ASE) Interest Group. Each year, ASE awards only three Larry Marone Grants nationwide, placing Bridges among a small group of schools recognized for innovative, inclusive art programming.
About the ASE Larry Marone Grant
The ASE Larry Marone Grant is a $500 award funded by the ASE membership. The grant supports educators working at the intersection of art and disability, with a mission to ensure that all students — especially those within the disability community — have meaningful access to creative expression.
“This grant affirms the importance of accessibility, independence, and creativity for our students,” shared Arianna Cropp.
Cardboard Sculpture Accessibility Project
The funded project focuses on increasing student independence and access to safe, adaptive tools for three-dimensional art making.
Grant funds will be used to purchase:
- A Chompsaw cardboard saw, a table-saw-style tool designed specifically for children. The Chompsaw safely cuts cardboard without sharp blades, making it ideal for students who have motor skill challenges or safety concerns with traditional cutting tools.
- Several pairs of electric scissors, allowing multiple students to cut cardboard simultaneously with reduced physical strain.
- Multiple cordless glue guns, enabling students to work at their desks without navigating cords or limited wall outlets, increasing both safety and productivity during class time.
These tools will support hands-on projects such as cardboard sculpture, papier-mâché, mask making, cosplay props, and theatrical set pieces — activities that strongly align with our student interests and encourage creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Expected Student Impact=
By reducing physical and safety barriers, the Cardboard Sculpture Accessibility project will allow our students to participate more fully and independently in the creative process. The new tools will foster confidence, skill-building, and self-expression, while allowing our neurodiverse students to focus on their imagination rather than limitations. For many students, art class also serves as an important “brain break” during the school day, supporting emotional regulation and overall well-being.
National Recognition and Conference Presentation
As an ASE Larry Marone Grant recipient, Arianna Cropp has been invited to participate in the 2026 Art in Special Education Awards Ceremony at the National Art Education Association Convention in Chicago, Illinois. During the ceremony, she will deliver a brief presentation highlighting the project and formally receive the grant award.
“We are deeply grateful to the ASE Interest Group and the National Art Education Association for their support and commitment to inclusive, accessible art education. This grant will have a lasting impact on our students’ confidence, independence, and creativity,” said Arianna Cropp