Student Arts Grants

• Focus on the key elements of your project (who, what, where, when, why, how).
  • The project's scope and needs (what are you planning on doing & what do you need to make it happen)
  • The artistic goals of the project (such as themes, concepts, challenges, connection(s) to the campus community, etc.)
  • The skills each member of your team will bring to the project
  • The plan for performing/presenting the project on campus, including the number of Stanford students involved and in what capacities
  • How the grant-funded items will be used in the project
• Proposals should be 500-750 words long. You do not need to include references or citations.
• If your proposal is for an annual event, include detail about what your group learned from producing the event in the past and what you want to accomplish for this current iteration.

Sample Proposals:

• Performing arts project
• Visual art project

• Please provide a budget for your entire project--not just the portion relating to your grant request. We want to see how the grant will fit in with your overall project plan.
• Think about all of the materials it will take to realize your project. Do some internet research to estimate costs.
  • You can group items into categories (e.g. hardware instead of nails, screws, bolts, washers; paint instead of listing individual colors; sewing notions instead of thread, buttons, needles, etc.)
• Include any free/low cost campus resources (such as the Equipment Lending Library, Lathrop Media Lab, etc.)
• Don't leave the "Grant Request" column blank.
• Check your math! If your project costs are greater than your project funding in Part 4, consider cutting costs or applying for additional funds.
• We encourage all grantees to explore utilizing multiple funding sources whenever possible to realize their projects.
  • If you are planning to apply (or have confirmed) funding from other sources (such as ASSU, TSF, community centers, departments, etc.), please include that information in the budget template.
  • Visit our Grants & Awards page for additional campus resources for funding creative projects.
• Budgets must be uploaded as a single page PDF using the Student Arts Grant budget template. (Remember to check the formatting of your PDF before uploading!)
• A list of items that can and cannot be funded is located in the "Grant Funds" section of this FAQ.

Contact Sabrina Wilensky if you have any questions regarding your project budget.

Select at least one (but no more than three) work samples that reflect both your accomplishments as an artist as well as the type of project you are proposing. Include original works by you and/or members of your project team that have been completed during your time at Stanford.

Possible work samples could include:

• Concept sketchess for this project (3-5, as a single PDF)
• Photos of completed works (3-5, as a single PDF)
• Sketchbook samples (3-5, as a single PDF)
• Audio/video recordings (no longer than 5 minutes)
• Director's/choreographer's notes or storyboards for the project (5-10 pages, as a single PDF)

The following items could also be included but must be accompanied by at least one other item from the prior list:

• Mood boards
• Academic research papers
• Preliminary dramaturgical work/research papers
• Photos or video from rehearsals

Please do not include the following items in your work samples:

• Press clippings from prior works by the student organization or creative team
• Publicity materials from prior works
• Headshots, resumes/CVs, general web-based portfolios, etc.

Unfortunately, no. However, there are several other grant programs on campus that have been used to fund travel and living costs for creative projects. Visit our Grants & Awards page to learn more.

Student Arts Grant funds are only issued as reimbursements or through direct purchases through the Office of the Vice President for the Arts (such as for campus services or online order.)

Grant recipients will be expected to participate in an orientation meeting, check-in periodically (via email or in person), document their creative process, present the completed project on the main Stanford campus, and submit a final report reflecting on their project experience.

Grant recipients will present their project on the main Stanford campus within two quarters of receiving their award.

All projects must adhere to University policies, including the Fundamental Standard and Honor Code.

Student Arts Grants can fund the following types of project expenses:

• Lighting equipment rental*
• On-campus venue costs (ELS, BGM, campus professional services, renting chairs/tables, renting a portable stage, etc.)
• Art materials (e.g. pencils, paints, ink, clay, paper, canvas, etc.)
• Sound equipment rental*
• Set and sculpture construction materials
• Props
• Costumes and stage make up
• Audio recording equipment rental*
• Publicity materials
• Licenses and royalties
• Camera rental (film or photography)*
• Specialty musical instrument rental
• Film processing and photography supplies
• Framing and art hanging/display supplies
• Fabric and sewing notions
• Small electronics and components (e.g. LEDs, wires, switches, circuits)

The following items are not covered by Student Arts Grant funds:

• Expenses incurred prior to the grant award date
• Housing/lodging or other off-campus venue costs
• Transportation and travel (including local and on-campus transportation)
• Stipends, honoraria, or thank you gifts
• Hiring performers, photographers/videographers, musicians, or other specialists
• Tuition or class costs (both Stanford and non-Stanford)
• Food, meals, or event reception costs
• Materials, goods, or services purchased outside of the United States
• Campus lab fees (e.g. PRL, AAH Photo Lab, etc.)
• Software (See the list of available applications in the Lathrop Media Lab)
• Library fines or fees (including Lathrop Tech Desk extended rentals)
• Printing on campus printers
• Purchasing equipment solely for personal use (including, but not limited to, cameras, audio, lighting, projection, etc.)

* Projects should utilize the Equipment Lending Library whenever possible. Occasionally Student Arts Grant funds can be used to purchase equipment that is in high demand. However, any equipment purchased with Student Arts Grant funds will become property of the Office of Student Productions (OSP); students must return equipment to the OSP upon the completion of their project so that it can be made available for student use through the Equipment Lending Library.