Bevans Artistic Exploration Fund

The Bevans Artistic Exploration Fund is a grant given annually starting in 2024 to an enrolled MIT undergraduate or graduate student or group to enable artistic work that illuminates the global Black experience and culture.

Funding up to $5,000 may be used to support any of the following: research, travel, materials, production, and public presentation of an independent artistic project. The fund encourages travel that expands and deepens cultural experience that will inform the artwork. The proposed project should be completed within a one-year timeline, and the recipient will document the project and/or create a public presentation in a format suitable for the individual artwork.

For questions, contact arts@mit.edu

Eligibility

Applicants should be MIT undergraduate or graduate students who will be enrolled at the Institute for the duration of the project.

Selection Criteria

• Promise of the project proposal is informed by or artistically illuminates an aspect of the global Black experience. 
• Demonstration of the applicant’s ability to execute the project based on artistic skills acquired prior to the receipt of the award.  
• The depth of connection and clarity of motivation for the artistic creation.

How to Apply

Submit the following materials for consideration before October 15 2024:

• A one-page resumé 
• A one-page project proposal (explain how and why this project will illuminate Black experience and culture)
• An artist’s biography/statement (explain any personal connection to the proposed content of the artwork)
• Project timeline
• Project budget 
• At least two, not more than four professional letters of support from teachers or mentors who can speak to your ability to execute the proposed project.

Images: Courtesy of Keith Bevans. Visit his travelogue at myhomeisspecial.com