For more than a decade, the Arts Initiative has supported the extraordinary creativity of student groups at Columbia through Student Arts Grants. Grants support performances and publications from recognized student groups that are non-curricular, with a priority given to undergraduate art making.
Two Types of Student Arts Grants:
Performance Grant
Apply for a grant to support performances, with a focus on theater, dance, music, and cultural showcases.
Performance Grants range from $400–$1,000
Publication Grant
Apply for a grant to support printing costs for literary, visual art, and other printed arts publications.
Publication Grants range from $200–$500
Fall 2024 Submission Period Closed
The Spring 2025 submission period will open on Friday, January 31.
Eligibility
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To be eligible to receive a Student Arts Grant, your group must be a recognized Columbia University or Barnard College student organization.
- The primary purpose of the project must be student art-making, with priority given to undergraduates.
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The project must be non-curricular. No student involved in the project can receive academic credit from any institution or department for the project. Senior theses and other required academic projects are not eligible.
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Projects must involve a majority of Columbia student creators.
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The final event/project must be open and accessible to Columbians.
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The project must take place entirely during the current academic semester, concluding by the last day of classes.
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We review one application per group, per semester. Groups with multiple events during a semester should submit these on one combined application.
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Types of projects not eligible for Student Arts Grants include launch parties, film projects, panel discussions, exhibitions, fashion showcases, performances/presentation from contracted outside performers, and fundraisers/charity benefits.
Eligible and Ineligible Expenses
Performance Grants may be used towards:
- Venue rental (on-campus venues only)
- Equipment rental (sound, lighting, tents, risers, chairs, instruments)
- Printed materials (posters, flyers, postcards, programs)
- Rights, royalties, sheet music
Performance Expenses not supported by Student Arts Grants include:
- Venue rental fee – off-campus
- Honoraria / artist fees (including director, photographer, videographer, choreographer)
- Equipment purchase (microphones, cameras)
- Props, set materials
- Software subscriptions / web hosting
- Ticketing fees
- Costumes / t-shirts
- Food / catering
- Gifts / flowers
- Transportation
Publications Grants may be used towards:
- Publication printing
- Printed promotional materials (posters, flyers, postcards)
Publication expenses not eligible for Publications Grants include software subscriptions, web hosting, honoraria / artist fees (including photographer), food / catering.
Reporting Requirements
Student Arts Grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis, with award funds transferred into your account after your project has been completed and you have documented final expenses with receipts.
Please contact us at artsinitiative@columbia.edu with any questions.
Images: Diary in the Time of Cardiovacuumia performance by Blue Glaze Theatre Group | courtesy of Blue Glaze; Assorted publications created by student organizations | photo by Taylor Crichton