Grants

The UMass Arts Council offers the following grants:

Single Project/Event Grants, which support a single arts-related project, event or series.

Mini-Grants, a which supports small art events on campus.
 

Information about the Arts Council's Grants:

 

Single Projects/Events

Single Project/Event grants are used for full or partial funding of a wide range of arts-related projects or events (including series') that involve or benefit a large number of University students up to a maximum award of $2,000 per event. Projects that are managed or co-managed by students are emphasized, providing them with opportunities to learn about all aspects of arts programming, from program design and grantwriting to publicity and program presentation. Programs in virtually every arts discipline are supproted: music, dance, theater, interdisciplinary performances, visual arts, film and video, literary publications and lectures series'. Because grants are competitive, the quality of the application's presentation, innovative programming, well-prepared budgets, and citation of matching funds continue to play important roles in the Council's funding decisions.

Mini Grants:

Mini grants are designed to support small art events on campus, up to a maximum award of $750. The application form is much simpler than Single Projects/Events grants, and best of all, the turn around time between application deadline and notification date is very short! Like Single Projects/Events grants, Mini-Grants may be used for full or partial funding of a wide range of arts-related projects or events (including series') that involve or benefit a large number of University students. Projects that are managed or co-managed by students are emphasized, providing them with opportunities to learn about all aspects of arts programming, from program design and grantwriting to publicity and program presentation. Programs in virtually every arts discipline are supported: music, dance, theater, interdisciplinary performances, visual arts, film and video, literary publications and lectures series'. Because grants are competitive, the quality of the application's presentation, innovative programming, well-prepared budgets, and citation of matching funds continue to play important roles in the Council's funding decisions.
 
Eligibility
Mini Grants and Single Projects/Events grants are awarded to groups and organizations that are affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Amherst and involve UMass students through program management, participation and/or as an audience in arts related events (such as music, dance, theater, video and film productions, visual arts exhibits, poetry readings, etc.).  Applicants must have a GOF or revenue accepting fund.  Examples of eligible organizations include: registered student organizations, academic departments, and cultural centers.  Although individuals are not eligible to apply for grants, those who are sponsored by academic departments, RSO's and other campus groups who meet all other criteria may be eligible for mini grants (but not Single Projects/Events grants). Please note that the Arts Council does not support fundraising and profit making events. A description of grant criteria is listed below:

Funding Criteria - The Council prefers to fund proposals which:
 
  • demonstrate strong artistic merit (for example, live musical performances vs. disc jockeys, dance performances vs. social dancing, etc.)
  • originate with student groups
  • are held on campus, except in unusual circumstances
  • involve several different organizations
  • demonstrate good organization and planning
  • realistic budgets that have multiple funding sources, in most cases Arts Coucil support will not exceed 30% of the total project costs.

In addition, please note that:

1. Council funds may not be used to support wages, salaries or honoraria for UMass students, staff or faculty; hospitality, such as transportation, receptions, and hotel accommodations; and fundraising activities.

2. Applicants may not apply for the same program or event in both the Single Projects/Events category and the Mini-Grant category, unless referred by the Council.

3. Grants are awarded to groups and organizations that are affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and have a GOF or revenue accepting fund (speed type, dept. ID and fund numbers are requested on cover sheet). Funds are processed and dispersed only through the University Accounting system. Grants are not awarded to individuals.

4. Incomplete applications are unlikely to be funded

5. Applications must be received by noon on the due date to be considered.  Late proposals will be considered at the next funding cycle, provided the project does not begin before the notification date of that cycle.

6. Awards are limited to $750 per project/event for Mini-Grants and $2,000 per project/event for Single Projects/Events grants. In the 2018 – 2019 grant cycle over 55 projects were funded with an average award of $430 for Mini-Grants and $1,000 per Single Project/Events grants.



Application Process and Deadlines
  1. Determine your eligibility.
  2. Note the application deadline.
  3. Complete the on-line application:
              
Grant Application




Organizations are encouraged to apply as far in advance of the start date of their project as possible, to ensure that they will receive the highest award.
***The deadline is at Noon on the specified Wednesday***

 

Previous Grant Recipients