Grants & Awards

Stanford offers several channels through which student artists can find funding for curricular and extracurricular projects.

Every year, the Office of the Vice President for the Arts (VPA) helps fund hundreds of projects by Stanford artists across artistic disciplines.

VPA offers grants to Stanford students, faculty, and academic staff members in order to weave arts experiences into the fabric of campus life. The grants foster the communion of members of diverse communities and disciplines around art, support the vibrant student arts community, drive the innovation of new art forms and ways of engaging with art, scholarship, and bring arts professionals onto campus to inspire and collaborate with students and practitioners.

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Grants & Awards Contact

Sabrina Wilensky
Manager of Grants and Programs
Office of the Vice President for the Arts
swilensk@stanford.edu

Featured Grants

Student singing an aria in front of the Stanford Mausoleum. Student orchestral musicians are in the background. Lights are shining on the mausoleum's columns.

VPA Student Arts Grant

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VPA Student Arts Grants support extracurricular on-campus student performances and events across the arts (performing arts, spoken word, film, digital/electronic media, visual arts, festivals, showcases, and masterclasses). Grants are open to undergraduate and co-term students with a VSO or community center sponsor.

Offered by the Office of the Vice President for the Arts

One student burying another in a flower bed as part of an interactive art project.

VPA Senior Grant

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VPA Senior Grants support the burgeoning arts-related careers of recent Stanford graduates pursuing unfunded opportunities (such as independent projects and apprenticeships/internships) during the first six months after graduation.

Offered by the Office of the Vice President for the Arts

All Grants & Awards

Type:

Discipline:

Eligibility:

Type	Name	Discipline	Description	Frequency	Deadline	Eligibility	Additional Eligibility Criteria
Award	Robert M. Golden Medal for Excellence in the Humanities and the Creative Arts	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	The Robert M. Golden Medal for Excellence in the Humanities and the Creative Arts is awarded to the top ten percent of all honors theses in the humanities, as well as to designated senior projects or performances in the arts.	Annual	By nomination only	UG
Award	The Deans' Awards for Academic Achievement	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	The Deans' Award for Academic Achievement, inaugurated in Spring 1988, is given each year to between five and ten extraordinary undergraduate students. These students deserve campus recognition for academic endeavors that might not otherwise be celebrated.	Annual	By nomination only	UG
Award	The Louis Sudler Prize in the Performing and Creative Arts	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Established in 2006, this is one of Stanford's most selective recognitions of a student's overall academic performance. The top 25 graduating seniors in the School of Humanities and Sciences are honored for their efforts and academic achievements throughout their undergraduate education.	Annual	By nomination only	UG
Award	Humanities & Sciences Undergraduate Prize in Music	Music		Annual	By nomination only	UG
Award	Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Awards	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	The Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Awards recognize distinctive and exceptional contributions to undergraduate education or the quality of student life at Stanford. The contribution may be made for such activities as curriculum design, program development, advising excellence, residential education, committee leadership, or extracurricular education.	Annual	By nomination only	UG
Award	Geballe Prize for Writing	Writing	The Geballe Prize was established to encourage Stanford University faculty and students to utilize the Cantor Arts Center as a resource for intellectual discovery by honoring outstanding examples of writing related to the Cantor, its collections, exhibitions, or programs. Submissions may be analytical, argumentative, or creative prose or poetry written by any undergraduate independently or as part of coursework in any discipline.	Annual	Spring	UG	All undergraduate Stanford University students who write research or expository papers, creative prose, or poetry that relates in some way to the Cantor Arts Center, its collections, exhibitions, or programs are eligible.
Award	Bocock/Guerard Prize in Fiction	Writing	The prize will be awarded to the best works of fiction, experimental or traditional.	Annual	Spring	UG
Award	Creative Nonfiction Prize	Writing	The prize will be awarded to the best work of creative nonfiction.	Annual	Spring	UG
Award	Mary Steinbeck Dekker Award in Fiction	Writing	The Creative Writing Program announces the annual competition for the Mary Steinbeck Dekker prize for a short story submitted by a Stanford undergraduate in their senior year. The prize will be awarded to the best work of fiction, experimental or traditional.	Annual	Spring	UG	Open to current seniors
Award	Planet Earth Arts Creative Writing Prize	Writing	The Creative Writing Program announces the annual competition for the  Planet Earth Arts Creative Writing Prize for works of fiction, nonfiction,  and poetry that explore environmental themes. The mission of Planet Earth Arts is to harness the universal language and transformational power of the arts and human creativity – inspiring individuals to claim planetary sustainability as the most urgent issue of our time. Planet Earth Arts believes that the unique voice of the novelist, the poet, the writer is essential to the conversation and that Stanford students can utilize the art and craft of writing in service of the continuity of life on earth.	Annual	Spring	UG
Award	Urmy/Hardy Prize in Poetry	Writing	The Creative Writing Program announces the annual competition for  The Urmy/Hardy Poetry Prize for poetry of high literary merit, traditional or experimental.	Annual	Spring	UG
Award	Wiley Birkhofer in Poetry	Writing	The Creative Writing Program announces the annual competition for the Wiley Birkhofer Award in Poetry. Wiley Birkhofer was a Creative Writing Emphasis student in our program in poetry and graduated from Stanford in 2009. He got his MFA from NYU in 2014. He was a gifted and eloquent poet. His early death in 2014 prevented him exploring these gifts further. This prize honors his memory and his creative example.	Annual	Spring	UG
Award	Ina Coolbrith Memorial Poetry Prize	Writing	The Ina Coolbrith Memorial Poetry Prize is awarded for the best unpublished poem or group of poems by an undergraduate student at Stanford University, the University of California campuses, University of the Pacific, Mills College, Santa Clara University, or St. Mary's College.	Annual	Fall	UG
Award	Carol and Peter Polk Music Award (Instrumental or Vocal Performance)	Music		Annual	Winter/Spring	UG, Coterm, Grad	Awarded on the basis of competitive audition.
Award	The Blew-Culley-LaFollette Prize (Piano Performance)	Music		Annual	Winter/Spring	UG	Open to Music majors only
Award	Dan Robinson Prize (Instrumental Performance)	Music		Annual	Winter/Spring	UG
Award	Rita Taylor Prize (Vocal Performance)	Music		Annual	Winter/Spring	UG	Awarded on the basis of competitive audition.
Award	Patrick Butler Prize (Piano Performance)	Music		Annual	Winter/Spring	UG	Awarded on the basis of competitive audition.
Award	Marie Gibson Prize (Vocal Performance)	Music		Annual	Winter/Spring	UG	Awarded on the basis of competitive audition.
Award	Friends of Music Graduate Prize in Music (Vocal or Instrumental Performance)	Music		Annual	Winter/Spring	Coterm, Grad
Award	Friends of Music Chamber Music Award (Chamber Performance)	Music		Annual	Winter/Spring	UG, Coterm, Grad	Open to all Stanford student ensembles
Award	J.E. Wallace Sterling Award	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Each spring, the Stanford Alumni Association invites faculty and staff to nominate a graduating senior for the J.E. Wallace Sterling Award. It is named for J.E. Wallace Sterling, who served as Stanford’s president from 1949 to 1968 and as chancellor until 1985. The award recognizes a senior whose undergraduate leadership and volunteer activities have made the largest impact on the Stanford community. Service might include involvement in athletics, clubs, drama and musical productions, fundraising, journalism, public service, religious organizations, residential education, social and political organizations, student government or university committees.	Annual	By nomination only	UG
Award	Outstanding Achievement Award	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	The Stanford Alumni Association recognizes the top two to three seniors who have made a significant impact on the campus community and whose undergraduate activities demonstrate the strong potential for continued service to the university and the alumni community. Service might include involvement in athletics, clubs, drama and musical productions, fundraising, journalism, public service, religious organizations, residential education, social and political organizations, student government or university committees. The Outstanding Achievement Award was initiated in 2011. Note: Award recipients were finalists for the J.E. Wallace Sterling Award.	Annual	By nomination only	UG
Course Fees/Materials	Painting Materials Grant	Visual Art	Students in financial need who are enrolled in painting courses with Professor Xiaoze Xie may apply for a grant of course materials. Each case is considered on its own merit and the applicant's financial status is evaluated. This grant is on a first-come, first serve basis until materials are no longer available for the quarter.	Quarterly	Final Study List Deadline	UG	Must be enrolled in painting courses with Professor Xiaoze Xie
Course Fees/Materials	Friends of Music Scholarship	Music	This scholarship program has provided means for Stanford students to continue study in applied music. There are over 100 awards granted each quarter in support of private lessons to musicians in degree programs across the seven schools of the University.	Quarterly	Final Study List Deadline	UG, Coterm, Grad	Only for private lessons with Stanford intructors
Course Fees/Materials	Arts Intensive	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Scholarships and financial aid are available to help defray the program fee.	Annual	Winter/Spring	UG
Course Fees/Materials	Arts Immersion	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Financial aid available for students participating in an Arts Immersion trip.	Annual	Fall/Winter	UG
Course Fees/Materials	BOSP Overseas Seminars	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Some financial assistance towards the program fee may be available from BOSP for students with demonstrated financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office. Students will be notified by BOSP regarding their eligibility for a fee waiver after they get accepted or waitlisted for a specific program. Based on eligibility, some students may qualify for a seminar travel grant to use towards the cost of travel. Eligibility will be determined by the Financial Aid Office. Students may only receive one seminar travel grant during their time at Stanford.	Quarterly		UG
Course Fees/Materials	Financial Aid	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	If you encounter unplanned course fees, contact Financial Aid to learn more about requesting additional aid for the current academic year.	Quarterly		UG, Coterm, Grad
Events	Stanford Speaker's Bureau	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	SSB provides cosponsorships of up to $1500 in honoraria/speaker fees only (i.e. no travel, lodging, etc. expenses).	Rolling		UG, Coterm, Grad	Open to student groups
Events	Stanford Concert Network	Music		Rolling		UG, Coterm, Grad	Open to student groups
Projects	Community Service Work-Study	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	The Community Service Work-Study (CSWS) Program provides academic year and summer employment opportunities for currently enrolled students who receive financial aid at Stanford. It allows them to combine the financial need to work with the personal goal of helping the community. Eligible students have the freedom to design a service experience in collaboration with a partnering organization. Placements during the academic year are on campus or in the local community. Summer placements can be at qualified organizations anywhere in the United States.	Quarterly		UG	Open to current undergraduates
Projects	UAR Small Grant	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Small Grants of up to $1,500 maximum support smaller independent projects, and can also be used to enable a particular phase of a larger-scale effort.	Monthly	1st of the month	UG
Projects	UAR Major Grant	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Major Grants provide a 10-week stipend of $7,500 in support of full-time immersive summer project commitments.	Annual	March	UG
Projects	UAR Chappell-Lougee	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Chappell Lougee Scholarships provide a 10-week stipend of $7,500 for sophomores pursuing full-time immersive summer projects in the humanities, creative arts, and qualitative social sciences.	Annual	December	UG	Open to current sophomores
Award, Projects	Braden Grant for the Study of Oral Narrative	Theater, Music, Dance, Digital Media, Film, Visual Art, Writing	This grant supports the research and creation of an audio documentary based on oral history archives or interviews conducted by the student. Awarded spring quarter.	Annual	March	UG, Coterm
Projects	Art Practice Materials Grant	Visual Art	Awarded on a competitive basis, these grants are intended to pay the direct costs of materials for students enrolled in Independent Study and who undertake independent creative projects on an advanced level. Materials grants cannot be used towards supplies for classes.	Quarterly	Final Study List Deadline	UG	Must be enrolled in an Art Practice independent study
Projects	Community Arts Fellowship	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing	Community Arts Fellows (CAF) have the opportunity to spend a summer working full time in the areas of curating, presenting, outreach and/or arts education with a focus on racial/social justice issues. Fellows may work in the United States or abroad. CAF fellows work with an arts organization or a community-based organization using the arts to further racial/social justice. With the help of IDA staff, CAF Fellows will determine a course of research and preparation for their summer learning experience.	Annual	February	UG
Projects	Cantor Scholars	Visual Art	Cantor Scholars are junior and senior Stanford students who participate in meaningful, in-depth experiences with the museum's collection. Through a research project and the benefit of staff mentorship, you'll be exposed to new ways of thinking about the arts, enriching both your academic and professional life.	Annual	Spring	UG	Open to current juniors and seniors.
Projects	Beagle II Award	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing	The Beagle II Award promotes discovery and exploration by Stanford undergraduates who possess a strong intellectual curiosity, a passionate interest in a particular subject, and a keen spirit of intellectual adventure.	Annual	Winter	UG
Projects	SPICE: Student Projects for Intellectual Community Enhancement	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing	SPICE (Student Projects for Intellectual Community Enhancement) funds allow graduate students to develop projects and activities that promote intellectual community in their departments and beyond.	Annual	Winter	Grad
Projects	UAR Conference Grant	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Conference Grants of up to $1,500 support students who have been accepted to present their own project results at a professional or scholarly conference.	Monthly	1st of the month	UG
Projects	Stanford Global Studies	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Looking for funding for travel or research? Many of SGS's programs and centers offer fellowships, internships, scholarships and other funding to students at Stanford.	Varies		UG, Coterm, Grad
Projects	VPA Senior Grant	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media		Annual	Spring	UG, Coterm
Projects, Events	VPA Student Arts Grant	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Student Arts Grants enhance the rich and varied cultural landscape throughout campus by supporting the creation and presentation of arts projects by current Stanford students. These grants provide financial support for producing on-campus performances and exhibitions featuring Stanford students.	Monthly	Varies	UG, Coterm
Award	Black Arts Award	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Is presented to a student who has excelled in the area(s) of music, dance, theatre and/or visual arts. An ideal candidate for this award is someone who has pronounced dedication to the arts and has freely shared their talent to enhance the Black community or represent the community in a positive way.	Annual	By nomination only	UG, Coterm, Grad
Award	Stanford Asian American Awards-Performing/Fine Arts	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media		Annual	By nomination only	UG
Award	Art History Awards	Visual Art, Digital Media		Annual	By nomination only	UG
Award	Art Practice Awards	Visual Art, Digital Media		Annual	By nomination only	UG
Award	Film & Media Studies Awards	Film, Digital Media		Annual	By nomination only	UG
Projects, Events	IDA Co-Sponsorship	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Contact Evelyn Anderson (evelyna3@stanford.edu) for more information	Rolling		UG, Coterm, Grad
Projects	SARA Partnership Grants	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	SARA Office funds partnership grants to support student and student group initiated projects related to sexual and relationship violence, stalking, and sexual harassment.	Rolling		UG, Coterm, Grad
Projects, Events	Well-Being at Stanford Mini Grants	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply for mini-grants to support well-being projects. Projects might include, but are not limited to: * Foster greater resilience and well-being; decrease stress and anxiety * Advance student well-being in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion * Increase peer to peer support * De-stigmatize mental health issues * Promote healthy sleep and nutrition habits and body positivity	Rolling		UG, Coterm, Grad
Projects, Events	The Billie Achilles Fund	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	Bechtel International Center is pleased to provide funding to encourage programming, with an international focus. The purpose of the fund is to provide support for creative programs developed by student organizations to increase contact and understanding between people of different cultural backgrounds. In order to qualify, events must include an intercultural component. The fund is named after Billie Achilles who was a longtime friend to international students at Stanford.	Rolling		UG, Coterm, Grad	Organizations that are eligible to apply for funds are: 1. registered international student organizations at Stanford 2. registered Stanford student organizations whose goals include international understanding 3. Community Committee for International Students (CCIS)
Events	Cardinal Nights Mini-Grant	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	For on-campus, alcohol-free events during "prime hours" Thur-Sat	Rolling		UG, Coterm, Grad
Events	Haas Center Event Co-Sponsorship	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	The Haas Center for Public Service supports student organization events and programming that enhance the Stanford community by complementing our mission of creating a just and sustainable world through service, scholarship, and community partnerships.	Rolling		UG, Coterm, Grad
Projects, Events	ASSU Standard and Quick Grants	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media		Varies		UG, Coterm, Grad	For registered VSOs only
Projects, Events	VPA Faculty Small Grant	Theater, Music, Dance, Film, Visual Art, Writing, Digital Media	For arts-related projects/events beyond the classroom that enrich the campus community.	Rolling		Grad