Research
The Notre Dame Arts Initiative supports research that builds upon Notre Dame's pre-existing strengths and inspires new directions for artistic inquiry and creative expression. The initiative catalyzes research that exceeds the bounds of any single discipline and encourages projects that collaboratively move across theory, history, and practice. By doing so, the initiative nurtures a robust arts community interested in creative exchange and capable of producing innovative arts scholarship.
Arts research funding opportunities
Research Themes
Over the course of the fall 2024 semester, the Arts Initiative set out to establish its priorities in arts research and creative practice through a survey distributed to over 150 faculty members, a planning retreat with colleagues from stakeholding campus units, and consultation with its executive committee. The Arts Initiative directs research funding toward three areas:
Arts in Action
Arts in Action advances socially engaged research and creative practice, with an emphasis on the role of the visual arts, performing arts, literature, and architecture in producing more just and equitable societies.
Sense and Transcendence
Sense and Transcendence centers on the production and study of sacred images, objects, spaces, texts, and performances and examines their uses in ritual and devotional practice, evangelization, instruction, and community-building.
Techne Futures
Techne Futures promotes experimental inquiry and modes of making at the intersection of the visual, literary, and performing arts, design, science, and technology.
Arts Research Funding Opportunities
Inspired by a shared commitment to arts inquiry, the Arts Initiative partners with the Franco Family Institute for Liberal Arts and the Public Good to fund and administer arts research directed by faculty and graduate students. Together, they provide annual funding opportunities for projects that connect scholars and artists across disciplines as well as individual practice-based arts research projects in any medium.
Faculty Grants
Arts Research Innovation Collaboratives
Deadline: April 1
$25,000 per year plus one course release for each Principal Investigator (PI) in the College of Arts and Letters. At least one PI must be a regular, tenure-track or tenured faculty member with a primary appointment in the Arts and Letters. Applications are due April 1, and grants are awarded annually.
Large Creative and Performing Arts Grants
Deadline: November 1 and March 1
Up to $25,000 per year to support arts and creative practice projects in any medium that are directed by faculty at the University of Notre Dame. Special consideration will be given to projects that align with one or more of the Arts Initiative’s research priorities. Grants are awarded twice annually.
Small Creative and Performing Arts Grants
Deadline: Rolling until May 31 while funding remains available
Up to $4,000 per year to support arts and creative practice projects in any medium that are directed by faculty at the University of Notre Dame. Applications must be received at least one month prior to the start of the proposed research or creative work.
Graduate Student Grants
Graduate Student Creative and Performing Arts Grants
Deadline: Rolling until March 12 while funding remains available
Up to $1,500 per year to support arts and creative practice projects in any medium that are directed by graduate students in the College of Arts and Letters. Applications must be received at least one month prior to the start of the proposed research or creative work.