Annual Grant Program
Every year, Cornell Council for the Arts (CCA) hosts an individual grant competition to offer direct financial support for the development of new, experimental, and exceptional arts projects by Cornell faculty, students, and staff. Grants are intended to support cultural activities outside of the applicant’s regular academic requirements.
The expectation is that all supported work will be shared with Cornell and Ithaca communities through an openly accessible exhibition, installation, performance, workshop, lecture, and/or other public event. The intention of these grants is to foster a vital environment for the creative arts at Cornell and to connect Cornell artists to the art world at large. Funded projects should expand the boundaries of any given arts, design, or related discipline in a creative and culturally reflective way.
Award:
- Award amounts and categories for the 2027-28 grant cycle will be announced in Spring 2027.
Due:
- Applications have closed for the 2026-27 grant cycle.
Eligibility:
- Eligibility for individual grants awarded for the 2027-28 grant cycle is restricted to those who will be Cornell-affiliated in the 2027-28 academic year, and proposed projects must occur by the close of the 2027-28 academic year.
For questions or additional information, please contact CCA at cca@cornell.edu.
Past Grantees
The annual grant program is particularly interested in promoting original, emergent and critically-engaged art forms and ideas. Work that takes an interdisciplinary or trans-disciplinary approach is strongly encouraged. Successful past applicants have used grant funds to create exceptional work in a myriad of formats including painting, sculpture, prints, wearable designs, clothing, prose, poetry, new media, video, film, software, site-specific installations, music concerts, new music compositions, designed objects, built environments, conferences, workshops, residencies, dance, performances, journals, zines, student-curated exhibitions, and social practice collaborations.
FAQs
We encourage anyone considering applying for a CCA grant to contact us at cca@cornell.edu to inquire about the feasibility of a project proposal or to seek guidance about how to best prepare your application.
Cornell students, student organizations, faculty members, academic departments, academic programs, and staff members are eligible to apply for a CCA grant. All applicants must be in residence at Cornell in the upcoming academic year.
CCA welcomes and encourages all types of collaboration, especially those between disciplines. Students and faculty are welcome to work together, but if so, the faculty member must submit the application.
CCA offers one funding cycle each year. The cycle is announced in early spring via our mailing list (to be added, email cca@cornell.edu). The application timeline for the 2027-28 grant cycle will be announced in January, 2027.
Funds are disbursed after July 1. Faculty, departments, programs, and SAFC/GPSAFC registered student organizations will receive funds in their university accounts. Individual students and staff will receive funds via direct deposit in their personal bank accounts. To sign up for direct deposit through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system, you’ll need to submit an ACH Authorization Form (paper form available by request through Payroll or online via Workday) and a W9 or a W-8BEN.
Student organizations with bank accounts at local banking institutions (as opposed to Cornell), cannot have their funds transferred directly. An authorized account representative may submit the necessary forms (ACH form for the group account and W9). Monies are subject to taxes and the representative submitting the W9 will receive a 1099 for their income tax return.
Individual students awarded a grant will receive monies less any applicable taxes, resulting in receipt of a 1099 for income tax returns. Monies transferred between Cornell accounts are not taxable.