Small Grants
The Office for Arts Integration (OAI) offers funding to support collaborative and cross disciplinary work where art and the work of artists is integral to critical inquiry, practice and outcomes. A project of the Chancellor’s Office, OAI seeks to amplify the value of art, artists and creative practice to advance the university’s mission of enhancing the lives of (Illinois, national and global) citizens through world class education and community engagement.
Page Contents
Providing Funds For
Application Criteria
Learn who qualifies, what sorts of creative practices qualify, and which target audiences qualify.
Arts Integration
Creative practice must be an equal element in the project and not “in service to” another discipline.
Creative Practice
Projects must include creative practice as a visible and critical element.
Cross-Disciplinary
Projects must be cross-disciplinary in some aspect (we can support performance, in its broadest sense, IF it is a component of a larger cross-disciplinary/conceptual approach.)
Clear Plan
Projects must have a clearly articulated plan for the support requested.
Original Approach
Projects must present a novel or experiment driven approach.
Clear Audience
The project’s audience and collective experience must be clearly stated.
Within 50 miles
Projects must serve communities within a 50-mile radius of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. They may venture elsewhere but must have a local component for our campus and external community to engage/witness/participate.
Bridging Divides
If projects bridge divides among the university and surrounding communities (in language, country of origin, social class, racial makeup, etc.), please explain how your proposal builds on existing partnerships or relationships.
Project Markers
Applicants must articulate their markers for project success.
Application Criteria
Learn who qualifies, what sorts of creative practices qualify, and which target audiences qualify.
Arts Integration
Creative practice must be an equal element in the project and not “in service to” another discipline.
Creative Practice
Projects must include creative practice as a visible and critical element.
Cross-Disciplinary
Projects must be cross-disciplinary in some aspect (we can support performance, in its broadest sense, IF it is a component of a larger cross-disciplinary/conceptual approach.)
Clear Plan
Projects must have a clearly articulated plan for the support requested.
Original Approach
Projects must present a novel or experiment driven approach.
Clear Audience
The project’s audience and collective experience must be clearly stated.
Within 50 miles
Projects must serve communities within a 50mile radius of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. They may venture elsewhere but must have a local component for our campus and external community to engage/witness/participate.
Bridging Divides
If projects bridge divides among the university and surrounding communities (in language, country of origin, social class, racial makeup, etc.), please explain how your proposal builds on existing partnerships or relationships.
Project Markers
Applicants must articulate their markers for project success.
Application Criteria
Learn who qualifies, what sorts of creative practices qualify, and which target audiences qualify.
Arts Integration
Creative practice must be an equal element in the project and not “in service to” another discipline.
Creative Practice
Projects must include creative practice as a visible and critical element.
Cross-Disciplinary
Projects must be cross-disciplinary in some aspect (we can support performance, in its broadest sense, IF it is a component of a larger cross-disciplinary/conceptual approach.)
Clear Plan
Projects must have a clearly articulated plan for the support requested.
Original Approach
Projects must present a novel or experiment driven approach.
Clear Audience
The project’s audience and collective experience must be clearly stated.
Within 50 miles
Projects must serve communities within a 50-mile radius of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. They may venture elsewhere but must have a local component for our campus and external community to engage/witness/participate.
Bridging Divides
If projects bridge divides among the university and surrounding communities (in language, country of origin, social class, racial makeup, etc.), please explain how your proposal builds on existing partnerships or relationships.
Project Markers
Applicants must articulate their markers for project success.
Eligibility
Not Supported
FAQ’s
How many times may I apply?
You may apply as many times as you like. (However, if feedback from a previous declined
application remains unaddressed, the likelihood of success is diminished). Once a project is
awarded, that specific award must complete the reporting cycle and cannot be applied for
again until 18 months have passed and a final report has been submitted.
May I apply for more than one program at a time?
An applicant may apply and be awarded more than one award from the OAI at a time. In
other words, someone can hold a small grant and a teaching release simultaneously. Teaching
releases require an EO signed approval form. [See the link in the application portal]. Another
example might include co-PIs in two separate projects. One award does not preclude an
awardee from being granted others.
.
Are collaborations or collectives allowed to apply?
Yes. However, each collaborative project may be represented by only one application. Please
note: if a collaborator applies for another independent project, their application will compete
against the collaborative application. We encourage such projects to apply in separate rounds.
What is the application timeline?
It is rolling, by month, during the academic year. The Small Grants Program is designed this
way to accommodate the creative/artistic/innovation process, which is not always linear or on
demand.
What stage of a project should I apply?
At any stage.
How soon after a successful application can one expect the funding to come through?
Once all paperwork is signed, the funds will be transferred to the unit or checks will be
forwarded to vendor.
Can grant money be used to fund projects that are already funded?
If there is more funding needed, explain the need for this support.
Should I list my full budget for a project or only that which I need support?
Yes. Please provide a budget for the ENTIRE project and include existing funding/sources.
However, make clear the line item for which OAI Small Grant Funding is needed.
Who reviews the applications/proposals?
The OAI resident team.
Can I make edits to my application once submitted?
No.
What documentation is required?
There is space for requested materials within the application. If applicants have additional
materials – e.g., video, print, documentation photographs – for the application, you may
attach them in the dedicated area for additional materials. In addition, a record of the project
with photographs, reviews, online materials, scholarly writings, etc. will be required at the
final reporting period.
Whom can I contact with questions?
The OAI Team at artsintegration@illinois.edu
Are there opportunities for feedback on an unsuccessful application?
Yes. Project determination letters will include brief feedback.
When will I hear back from the OAI with a determination?
Our office will respond to your application within four to six (4-6) weeks. Please plan
accordingly. We will not consider RUSH applications with needs sooner than 4-6 weeks.
If I receive any type of monetary or other support, will I need to credit the Office for Arts Integration on my project media and promotional materials?
Yes. If the OAI supports your work in any way – via networking to offer connections to
individuals and/or organizations, generative discussions, brainstorming sessions, grant
writing support, or direct funding – please consider amplifying the work and value of the arts
by crediting as follows: “This project has been supported by the Office for Arts
Integration.”
If awarded grant money, will I need to report how the funding was utilized?
Yes. End of project reports are due at the 18-month marker, post award. (i.e. if you are
awarded in September 2025, your report will be due March 2027). Unused funds must be
returned to the OAI at the end of the reporting period.
Reports are to include (in two single-spaced pages, or less):
▪ How the project met the aims of the proposal.
▪ How the project changed over the course of the award period/why.
▪ The impact upon the project’s intended (and unintended) participants and others.
▪ The future of the project, at the conclusion of the award period.
▪ Lessons learned and what the grantees would do differently were they to undertake
this project (or something like it) again.
All projects must provide documentation of the project at the conclusion of the granting
period, i.e. photographs, sound recordings, video shorts, links to press materials, etc. The
OAI reserves the right to use submitted media to advance the work of the OAI, artists and
arts on campus.
All projects must provide documentation of the project at the conclusion of the granting period, please double check your links. If you have a preference as to how your visuals are described, please submit those to us. Otherwise, we will provide visual, or image descriptions should your submitted media be selected.
The OAI reserves the right to use submitted media to advance the work of the OAI, artists and arts on campus.
Additional Grants Info