The state has $1 million to hand out for rural school arts grants — and it won’t be quite enough to meet demand.

The application period for the grants closed earlier this week. All told, 72 rural school districts and charter schools requested $1,020,554, the State Board of Education said Tuesday.

Schools can receive up to $15,000 for fine arts, performing arts and design courses. They will be able to use the money for curricular materials, supplies and equipment — but not for staffing.

A panel of five arts education experts will review the grant applications, and make recommendations on May 17. The panel might have to prioritize applicants — funding schools that didn’t receive an arts grant last year, or schools that applied first for the money.

The State Board will award the grants in June. Schools will have from July 1 through June 30, 2024 to spend their share of the money.

The 2023 Legislature inserted the $1 million arts line item into a State Board budget passed earlier this year.