Office of the Vice President for the Arts
Doerr Arts Initiatives Fund – How to Apply
Application Information
Purpose
The Doerr Arts & Sustainability Fund offers support to academic staff or faculty-initiated interdisciplinary projects that test new directions and possibilities in the arts at Stanford.
Projects should fall under one of the following:
- An artistic project (led by the applicant) in connection with the arts that informs, inspires, or educates on sustainability issues. Examples could include different kinds of research-based performances, music or poetry events, and other interactive or immersive art installations focused on translating the scientist’s work to broader audiences.
- A collaboration with another unit that promotes discourse between the arts and sustainability.
- Convenings, proof of concept, pilots, last mile.
Not sure if this grant is the best fit for your project? View our comparison guide for guidance.
Criteria
- The project outcome should demonstrate how issues of sustainability can be approached through the arts to help us bear witness and make meaning of our changing world.Â
- Funds are not intended to support artist residencies or visiting artist programs.
- Project must be completed by June 30, 2027.
Eligibility
Open to all Stanford faculty and academic staff in any discipline.
Use of Funds
The use of funds must abide by Stanford financial guidelines and should be reasonable, timely, and appropriate. The funds can be used for:
- Organizing public exhibitions/performances/workshops relating to the project
- Equipment, materials, shipping, installation, and de-installation for artwork production unveiled at Stanford
- Hiring student researchers and/or apprentices
- Meals related to workshop or event engagement at Stanford
The funds cannot be used for:
- Insurance
- External engagements outside of Stanford unless directly related to the project
- Salary payments for the Principal Investigator
How to Apply
Applications will only be accepted via Seed Funding and must include the following:
- Applicant info
- Project summary (up to 128 characters)
- Project proposal (PDF) that addresses the following:
- Who is responsible for the planning and execution of this project?
- When and where will this activity take place?
- Who will be participating in this activity and who is the audience? Please describe both anticipated numbers and Stanford affiliation.
- How does this project contribute to shaping and reflecting our understanding of sustainability through the arts.Â
- How does this activity relate to, respond to, or react to a sustainability need on Stanford’s campus?
- What are the anticipated outcomes of this activity? How will the success of those outcomes be evaluated?
- Will the requested amount cover the proposed activity? If not, how will the remaining activities be funded?
- Itemized Budget (PDF)
- Expectation Agreement
Application Timeline
- Applications open March 2, 2026
- Deadline to apply updated to April 10, 2026 @ 11:59 pm
- Recipients will be notified by end of May 2026
- Projects must be completed by June 30, 2027
Award
- Grants range from $2,500-$5,000 (2-4 grants awarded annually)
- Limit of one Doerr Sustainability Arts Initiatives Fund grant per applicant per academic year.
- Funding (full or partial) is not guaranteed.
- Award cannot be combined with any other grants from the Vice Presidency for the Arts (e.g. artsCatalyst, Denning Visiting Artist Fund, discretionary awards, etc.)
Expectations for Grant Recipients
- The project team is required to present their work (either as in progress or final) by the end of the grant period.
- Grant recipients must notify VPA and Doerr School about any events/performances connected with the grant funds at least 2-4 weeks in advance.
- The project team will be expected to include an evaluation in the final report that outlines the learnings from this phase of the project and what the next steps (if any) will be for the project.
FAQs
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Reach out with questions:
Edi Dai
Programs Associate
