The College of Fine Arts Small Grants Program

Application deadlines for 2012-2013 are September 14, November 9, February 8, April 12, June 7.

For most favorable consideration, submit applications early, at least two months before the start of the project.

Guidelines approved by CFA Executive Committee, 4/21/2010.

Thanks to the generosity of donors to the College of Fine Arts a series of grants will be available this year. The grants program is designed to further the mission and goals of the College of Fine Arts by supporting select opportunities for CFA students, faculty, staff and administration to enrich educational experiences, promote quality teaching, and pursue professional development. The Mission of the College of Fine Arts is to prepare students for a life in the arts.

These funds are awarded five times a year to applicants who have submitted complete applications by the appropriate deadline. Grants average between $500 and $1,000 with a maximum of $5,000 in rare circumstances. The grant process is a competitive one, and funds are limited. Applicants are encouraged to show financial support from other sources, which may include personal funds. First-time applicants will receive preference over repeat submissions by past recipients, and collaborations across Fine Arts Schools are encouraged.

Examples of projects eligible for funding through the CFA Small Grants Program:

  • Opportunities for students, staff and faculty to accept invitations to present creative activities or research through master classes, workshops, exhibitions, performances, conferences, or special events. (Applicants must show evidence of funding, or provide justification of lack of funding, from inviting organization.)
  • Travel for students and student ensembles being honored or invited to regional or national exhibitions, conferences, and competitions
  • Visiting professionals, artists, or scholars
  • Opportunities for faculty or staff to develop new skills in technology, teaching, or their area of specialization. Preference will be given to invited or adjudicated opportunities
  • Seed money for new program initiatives or interdisciplinary projects that support strategic objectives of the College
  • Travel assistance to participate at conferences where the applicant is performing duties as an organizational officer (one-time funding per organization)

Examples of projects ineligible for support from the CFA Small Grants Program:

Activities appear on this list not because they are not valued by the College but because limited resources do not allow funding for all endeavors. In some cases, such projects may be eligible for funding through alternative sources on campus (see list below).

  • Non-invited performances or exhibitions or non-adjudicated conference presentations
  • Activities that pertain primarily to student recruitment or community outreach
  • Recurring school activities that continue to be reliant on CFA Small Grants monies after having previously received initial seed funding
  • Sabbatical replacement funds
  • Funding requests for materials, equipment or personnel that should be funded out of School budgets, including software and materials related to course instruction
  • Expenses related to final projects, theses, or dissertations, except in circumstances identified above
  • Book or CD subvention
  • Proposals for events/projects that have already been completed or lack sufficient lead time
  • Proposals from previous Small Grant recipients who have not filed a final report

Selection Criteria include:

  • Relevance of the project to the core mission ofthe college
  • Significance of the project to the academic dossiers and careers of applicants, including new initiatives
  • The potential for bringing national or international recognition to the UA College of Fine Arts
  • Clarity and reasonableness of the procedures, timeline, and a line-itemized budget with justification
  • Documented evidence of invitation to perform/exhibit or of adjudication in presenting scholarly research
  • Funding from other sources, including funding from inviting organizations
  • Preference is given to participation at conferences where the applicant is invited or has undergone adjudication

Budget:

Include a budget justification in the narrative project description, along with a line-item budget listing all relevant categories for expenses and income, such as:

  • Personnel: Provide justification for wages, and include ERE for all eligible personnel. Summer salary and supplemental compensation for UA employees is not eligible. UA procedures for inviting and funding international visitors must be followed, including appropriate visa requirements established by the UA Financial Services Office.
  • Honoraria or guest artist fees: Provide details on fees and identify groups to be impacted (e.g. student groups, classes, community audiences, etc.). If the guest is part of a staff or faculty exchange agreement, provide names and dates for all involved in the exchange.
  • Travel and Housing: Expenses must meet criteria posted by the UA Financial Services Office, including rates determined by that office's Meal and Lodging Cost Index
  • Equipment: Specify items and amounts. Items purchased may be used exclusively by applicant but remain the property of the University of Arizona.
  • Supplies and materials: Specify items and amounts.
  • Other: Costs not covered in other budget categories. Specify expenses and provide justification.
  • Other sources of funding and earned income: Sources may include, but not be limited to, other units at The University of Arizona, other institutions, local or national grants, in-kind support, funding from individuals, etc.

Multiple Applications:

Multiple applications may be made to the CFA Small Grant Program. However, faculty and staff may receive no more than two Small Grants in a fiscal year. The date that funds are needed (not the date of the Small Grants application) determines into which fiscal year the project falls. CFA students may receive only one Small Grant per academic year. All awards are competitive and based on resources available.

Notification:

Awardees will be notified approximately three weeks after the deadline. Grants funds must be used within one calendar year from the date of the award.

Recipients may be asked to perform or speak at a Medici Circle event.

Final Report:

Recipients of grants will be expected to file a brief report on the use of the funds within 60 days of the completion of the project. The report should include a final budget listing actual versus projected funds, as well as copies of any promotional material or programs that clearly identify the UA College of Fine Arts Dean's Fund for Excellence or the Bank One Visiting Artist Fund as a funding source. Failure to file a report will cause applicant to be ineligible for future grants.

CFA Small Grants Sponsors:

Gifts to the College of Fine Arts Grants awards are from the following sources:

  • The Dean's Fund for Excellence. Created in 1992, this fund is supported by income from the Endowed Fund for Excellence and annual contributions by Medici Circle donors, a membership group committed to supporting excellence in the College of Fine Arts
  • The Bank One Visiting Artist Professorship Award. This fund was established in 1989 by then Valley National Bank in order to provide support for outstanding visiting artists and scholars.
  • Other gifts which may be made from time to time.

Other UA Funding Sources for Faculty, Staff, and Students:

Projects not meeting the above criteria may be eligible for funding from other university sources, such as:

Application

Proceed to the Small Grants application.

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