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
Arts Publication Grant
Apply for a grant to support printing costs for literary, visual art, and other printed publications with a primary focus of student art-making.
Publication Grants range from $200–$500
Eligibility
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.
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.
Projects must involve a majority of Columbia student creators.
The final event/project must be open and accessible to Columbians.
The project must take place entirely during the current academic semester, concluding by the last day of classes.
We review one application per group, per semester. Groups with multiple events during a semester should submit these on one combined application.
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
Click below to expand and review the details of eligible and ineligible expenses for both types of Student Arts Grants:
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
Arts Publication Grants may be used towards:
- Arts Publication printing (primary purpose of the publication must be student art-making)
- Printed promotional materials (posters, flyers, postcards)
Publication expenses not eligible for Arts 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 student group 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.
Application Forms
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