The Bevans Artistic Exploration Fund is an annual grant established in 2024 to support artistic projects that explore and illuminate Black experience and culture. The grant is awarded to currently enrolled MIT undergraduate or graduate students, either individually or as a group.
Recipients may receive up to $5,000 to support various aspects of their independent artistic work, including: research, travel, materials, production and public presentation.
Both domestic and international travel proposals are eligible, with particular consideration given to those that deepen cultural understanding and enrich the creative process.
The number of grants awarded and the amount of funding per recipient may vary each year, depending on the applicant pool. In some cases, the award may be shared among multiple recipients.
Projects must be completed within one year. Recipients are expected to document their work and/or present it publicly in a format appropriate to the nature of the project.
For international travel, it is strongly recommended that students participate in an MIT-sponsored travel program—or one offered by another institution—that provides support for logistics such as visas, ticketing, housing, language assistance, and mentorship. The Bevans Fund does not provide administrative or logistical support for these aspects of travel.
For questions, contact arts@mit.edu
Eligibility
All MIT graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Applicants should be enrolled at the Institute for the duration of the project.
Selection Criteria
• The project proposal is informed by or artistically illuminates an aspect of Black experience and culture.
• Demonstration of the applicant’s ability to execute the project based on artistic skills acquired prior to the receipt of the award.
• It is highly recommended that students have identified a mentor who can guide and provide feedback throughout the project, from planning to public presentation.
How to Apply
Submit the following materials for consideration before October 20, 2025:
• A one-page resumé
• A one-page project proposal
• An artist’s biography/statement
• Project timeline & budget
• Letters of support
Images: Courtesy of Keith Bevans. Visit his travelogue at myhomeisspecial.com