Schwartz Performing Arts Fund
The Institute for the Performing Arts offers financial assistance for conceiving, planning, and coordinating performing arts-related activities on the 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ campus, such as:
- Guest artist performances and residencies that serve student learning
- Conferences/lectures/symposia
- Commissions
- Events in service to curriculum or the UR student learning community
- Creative and/or scholarly research related to performing arts
Projects eligible for funding should either be directly related to or contribute to the advancement and promotion of knowledge in the performing arts and should involve students in a significant way. Interdisciplinary arts projects are encouraged as are projects that engage UR students with the community and/or community non-profit organizations. Expenses can include student research assistant or student arts fellow to support the project.
Grantees who receive the Schwartz Performing Arts Fund are required to complete a final report within 30 days of the project. This final report must include:
- Statement(s) of impact from one or more students and from the lead facilitator of the project
- A summary of project implementation and overall impact
- The number of artists and attendees
- A detailed income and expense report
- Two to four high-quality images of the project, including photo credits
Grantees who have already received funding can .
Application Process and Eligibility
Funding up to $10,000 per project.
Submissions for proposals are welcome from one or more adjunct or full-time professors at the 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ throughout the academic year, starting from the first day of fall semester through two weeks before the last day of the spring semester.
This opportunity is open to all departments, provided that the proposed project is centrally focused on the performing arts. The proposal must involve the School of Arts and Sciences Performing Arts collaborator in a significant way.
Applications are continuously accepted and funded on a rolling basis. The maximum funding allocated for a single project is generally $10,000, with most grants awarded at a level of $5,000.
If awarded, department/program administrators are responsible for overseeing all project logistics (i.e., any relevant guest/speaker travel, housing, hospitality, payment processing, etc.).
Upon completion of the project, awardees must .
Projects included in regular department budgets, such as mainstage shows and student concerts, are ineligible for funding. Only projects outside of recurring annual or semester performances will be considered. Special projects that enhance regular programming will be considered.
Applicants should clearly outline the project’s objectives, the student and/or community impact, the methods to achieve them, and explain why the proposed format (i.e., lecture, performance, etc.) is most suitable for success. Submissions must be made at least three weeks before the first proposed event date to allow for flexibility and responsiveness to current events, while also maintaining the integrity of the review process.
Deadlines and Notifications
Project deadlines are October 15 for spring semester projects, and March 15 for fall semester projects.
Accepted grantees will be notified directly and will receive an acceptance agreement to complete and return.
Past Projects
2024-2025 Awardee: A.I.M by Kyle Abraham
The 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳’s Program of Dance and Movement welcomed the acclaimed contemporary dance company A.I.M by Kyle Abraham for a dynamic residency that combined performance, education, and community engagement. Under the artistic direction of Kyle Abraham—a visionary choreographer celebrated for blending traditional and vernacular dance styles—A.I.M explores themes rooted in Black and queer history and culture through a distinctive and highly physical movement vocabulary.
The residency included a powerful lecture demonstration, during which company members created live, improvised choreography, shared excerpts from the company’s repertoire, and engaged in thoughtful dialogue with the audience.
Company artist Faith Montdesire also led two A.I.M Movement Workshops: one on the 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ campus and another at Community Place at the Greater 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Senior Center. These workshops fostered inclusive, intergenerational participation among students and older adults.