How to Apply for Arts Funding From the Council for the Arts at MIT

MIT student Jessie Wang working on The Borderline Mural Project, a CAMIT Grant recipient. Screenshot from video by Melanie Gonick/MIT, 2017.

A large green arch surrounding by blue scaffolding illuminated at night.

Azra Aksamija, Memory Matrix, MIT, 2016. Image: Ximena Bobadilla and David Kitchen.

Azra Aksamija, Memory Matrix at MIT, 2016. Image: Ximena Bobadilla and David Kitchen.

A series of glass plates with watercolor paintings are lined up in a row.

Model of a Drawing Process: Watercolor-Calculating. Credit: Onur Yüce Gün.

The Council’s grants program provides funding in support of a wide range of art projects that engage the MIT community. The average award is typically around $2,500. Maximum awards, for extraordinary projects, are up to $5,000. Only one grant project per applicant per academic year will be funded. Projects cannot be part of regular class assignments and should be on a timeline to be completed within one year from the date of the award. More about eligibility and policies for grant recipients.

View the info session slides

There are two application cycles per academic year, one in fall and one in spring.

The spring 2025 application cycle is now closed. The next preliminary proposal deadline will be in September 2025.

ASA-recognized student organizations may be eligible for fast-track funding; contact us for more information.

Questions? Contact council-arts@mit.edu.

Looking to develop a prototype or small project? Apply for student arts mini grant funding, up to $500, rolling applications.

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Phase 1

Preparing and Submitting a Preliminary Proposal

Before beginning a preliminary proposal, please make sure you have read our eligibility guidelines and policies for grant recipients, and referred to our arts project resource list. If you have any questions about any aspect of preparing the preliminary proposal or about the suitability of your project, email us at council-arts@mit.edu.

Submit a Preliminary Proposal

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Phase 2

Preparing and Submitting a Full Application

Based on the feasibility of the proposed project and its ability to engage the MIT community, we will invite selected applicants to submit a full application, via Slideroom. If you are invited to prepare a Phase 2 application, you will have the opportunity to meet with MIT Arts staff for technical assistance and to discuss your proposal in greater detail as you finalize your materials.

A complete grant application will include a detailed description of your project and your artistic work, a one-minute video describing the project, and a detailed budget. Additional instructions and detailed application forms will be available in Slideroom.