Funding Program Contact: Stephanie Troisi, Student Services Coordinator.
Application Deadlines
Fall ‘23 Projects: Closed
Wintersession/Spring '24 Projects: Closed
Please contact Stephanie Troisi (troisi@fas.harvard.edu) for further information or to inquire if funds remain available to apply for in the spring semester.
Funding determinations depend on approval by the Council on the Arts and Office for the Arts as well as availability of funds at the time of request.
For 2024-25 Academic Year Applicaiton Deadlines, please check back in early August
Guidelines
Eligible: Harvard undergraduates. graduate students, faculty and staff may apply for projects that involve a primary focus on Harvard College undergraduate artmaking taking place on the Harvard Campus.
What we ordinarily fund
In considering applications, the OFA values projects that
- are collaborative
- have potential to involve many students in making or observing the finished work
- are either original or demonstrate a creative approach to existing work (a play, musical work, ballet, etc.)
Grants typically fall into traditional categories such as drama, literature, music, dance and visual art. The OFA welcomes these, and is also welcomes forms that are hybrids of various types and/or are less easily defined.
What can be considered in special circumstances
- individuals seeking funding for non-academic studio art projects
- groups seeking funding to support instruction/mentoring by professionals
NOTE: Applicants must present evidence of compelling/exceptional reasons why funding should be approved.
NOTE: Explore Learning from Performers for more information on guest artists or contact the OFA.
What we do not ordinarily fund
- senior theses
- fundraisers, charity benefits or tours away from campus
- fees for Student Services
- fees for professional technicians (such as a lighting or sound operator) or performer fees
- presentation of performing groups from outside the University
- projects that offer minimal exposure to undergraduates
- political magazines or events that are not primarily artistic
- film projects; summer projects; ongoing classes
-
equipment purchases (grants can cover expenses incurred from equipment rentals)
Note: As students find themselves creating art in new technologies, the OFA acknowledges some new types of funding requests may be presented for consideration, including but not limited to equipment purchases. Such requests will be considered in the context of the entire budget proposal and on a case by case basis. - receptions (including flowers, gifts, food, drinks)
- video or audio documentation recording of concerts/performances
Funding award amounts
Most funding awards typically fall in the $200-$800 range. NOTE: For budgeting purposes, funding for digital programs and publicity budget line items will be capped at $100.
Method of payment
Funding awards are paid primarily on a reimbursement basis, but the OFA can also pay vendors directly. Students who receive funding must submit an evaluation of their completed project to the OFA in order to receive their final reimbursement.
NOTE: Grant recipients are strongly encouraged to sign up for the electronic payment system recommended by Harvard University. This will insure deposit directly into the recipient’s account in a timely manner. Visit this link for information on how to sign up (both individuals and student groups).
Reimbursement deadlines
We encourage producers to submit reimbursement materials as soon as possible. The dates listed here are final dates paperwork can be turned in.
Fall ’23 projects: Monday, January 22, 2024
Spring '24 projects: Thursday, May 6, 2024
NOTE: Expectation is that funds awarded will be deposited by the group or individual reicipient no later than the end of the current Academic Year's fiscal closing (June 30th). Requests for reissuance of checks beyond six months of receipt cannot be guaranteed.
Other Funding Resources
We encourage producers to research other available funding resources made available to Harvard Events. The Harvard Undergraduate Association provides a listing of resources on their website.
Application and supplemental material:
Wintersession 2023/Spring 2024 proposal: Please contact Stephanie Troisi (troisi@fas.harvard.edu) to ask about availability of spring 2024 funding.
Review application writing tips
Required supplemental material:
Budget
-
worksheet listing specific budget lines (revenue and expenses)
Applicants may complete this provided budget sheet or submit their own form.
Note: If your budget includes a request for any equipment purchase (not generally supported) vs. rental, please provide a short paragraph explaining why purchse of requested equipment is necessary.
List of students involved
-
document listing production/creative team including name(s), role(s), class year and contact information (email).
- Note: We understand that in some instances, this list may be incomplete. We ask that updates be forwarded as available.
-
For applicants with an organization/group website, please provide a link.
Other supplemental material
Publication projects : provide a publication sample via web URL ( hard copy submission ONLY if web URL not available)
Dance and Theater projects:
- Director's statement ( a brief one paragraph statement about the text/theme and any specific set goals for the production.)
- Projects that have multiple performance dates should provide a document that includes projected production dates, deadlines and rehearsal schedule.
Promotional Images (only if available): forward directly to Stephanie Troisi using these guidelines:
- Formal subject line with "Promotional Image submission for" project name, student group name (if applicable). Example: Promotional Image submission for RockOnOpenMicNight, HarvardRocks.
- Image file name should include project name and student group (if applicable).
All supplemental material listed below should be uploaded to this link. Please follow these formatting guidelines:
-
Submit supporting materials as a single PDF document
- budget (if not using provided form)
- list of Production Team members
- production schedule (if applicable)
- Director's statement
For your PDF submssion please follow this title format: Project Name; Submitting Group (if applicable) and semester you're seeking funding for. Example: RockOnOpenMicNight_HarvardRocks_Spring2023.
Applications will be considered incomplete without the submission of supplemental materials.
We expect you to consult with staff and/or faculty on your project. Recognized student organizations are expected to have their faculty advisor review their application before submission. Please refer to the OFA staff list for additional mentoring.
NOTE: For the 2023-2024 Academic year, OFA funding will be determined by a committee of OFA staff members in consultation with the Council on the Arts, a FAS Standing Committee.
Council on the Arts: 2023-24 Academic Year
Robin Kelsey (Chair) Dean of Arts and Humanities
Remo Airaldi, American Repertory Theater; Lecturer on Theater, Theater, Dance & Media
Alicia Anstead, Associate Director for Programming and Communication; Producer, ARTS FIRST, Office for the Arts
Daniel Chong, Professor of the Practice in Music, Parker Quartet
Elizabeth Epsen, Lead Administrator for the OFA Dance Program
Jorie Graham, Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory
Phillip Howze, Associate Senior Lecturer on Theater, Dance & Media
Ruth Stella Lingford, Professor of the Practice of Animation, Film Study Center Fellow
Jack Megan, Director, Office for the Arts
Laura Quinton, Lecturer, History & Literature
Matt Saunders, Professor of Arts, Film and Visual Studies, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Elaine Scarry, Walter M. Cabot Professor of Aesthetics and the General Theory of Value and Senior Fellow of the Society of Fellow
Yosvany Terry, Senior Lecturer on Music, Director of Jazz Bands