Superintendents and school boards must balance state and federal mandates, requirements of new legislation, and policy changes as they search for best practices in education that will result in increased student achievement. Pressure has increased, with an emphasis on high stakes testing and accountability since the implementation of the No Child Left Behind legislation in 2001. Federal dollars, in the form of demonstration grants, have been used by some districts to try innovative instructional practices. The challenge for school districts is sustaining effective change practices after the grant money is gone. The purpose of this study is to examine a federal arts demonstration grant, the Art in Action grant, implemented for three years in three rural elementary schools in northwest Pennsylvania. Feedback from participants in the grant is used to identify important characteristics of successful implementation and sustainability. One of the schools in the study implemented Professional Learning Community (PLC) practices. Participants were surveyed about their experience with the Art in Action grant. The survey generated a concourse of statements that formed a Q Set. Twelve participants performed a Q Sort using the statements from the concourse. PQ Method was used to analyze the responses. Trained facilitators conducted interviews with participants. Results indicated participants found the Art in Action experience beneficial for students, especially those with special needs. Sustainability of the program appeared dependent upon principal support and a philosophical or emotional connection made by the teacher to the art inclusion instructional practices. Teachers valued the collaboration time provided by the grant. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]