Course Connections

We are now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 academic year!

Faculty and instructional staff play an integral role in helping students develop their cultural values and their life-long relationship to the arts.

To support this effort, faculty and staff may incorporate arts-based learning into the curriculum of any undergraduate course at UM through Course Connections Funding. Students often indicate that their "most meaningful arts experience" at UM occurred when a professor took the class to see a performance, visit an exhibition, or tour an historically significant site.

When possible, course or lab fees for ongoing or annual activities should be included as part of curricular planning, so that grant funding may augment activities that are well integrated into educational programming.

For additional funding, consult our list of Other Sources available for both undergraduate and graduate classes.

Note: First-Year seminars are not eligible for Course Connections Funding. Please see our First-Year Seminar Funding page.

For some project ideas check out: Previously Funded Course Connections.

Who May Apply

Any Faculty Member, Staff Member, or Graduate Student Instructors may apply for Course Connection funding!

About the Grants

Up to $500 may be obtained through Course Connection grants to support course-related arts learning activities. These funds may be used for admissions to museums and performances, workshops by visiting artists, and course projects, such as theatrical performances, exhibitions, etc. For projects that are integrated into more than one course, funding of up to $1000 will be considered. Please note: Grant funds cannot be used to pay for refreshments.

For class trips requiring funding support for transportation (buses, van pooling), additional grant monies are available through the Culture Bus funding application. Funds are awarded based on transportation needs and costs, and additional logistical planning, educational materials and other services may also be available. This funding may be awarded in addition to standard Course Connection funding.

Note: Each faculty member may only apply for project funding twice each semester.

Deadlines

Course Connection and Culture Bus applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year, and are reviewed by committee every two weeks until funds are depleted. Applications must be received no later than four weeks prior to the date of the proposed activity.

Funding Process

If granted funding, we will request the appropriate financial chartfields from your departmental administrator. Funds will be transferred directly from Arts at Michigan to your department and a record of the transfer will be sent to the administrator. Please allow 4 weeks from the time you apply to complete this process. Applying early is the best way to receive your funds on time!

We ask you to incorporate the Arts at Michigan logo in any printed or web material (flyers, posters, programs, websites etc) associated with your Course Connections funded activity.

You and the student participants will also will be asked to complete brief Course Connections Feedback forms:
Faculty Feedback Form
Student Feedback Form
These forms allow us to continue our grant funding programs – please make sure to acquaint yourself with their completion process.

To apply for a Course Connection Grant, please:

1. Apply online through the Course Connections Application Form
2. Complete all fields
3. Save the form (IMPORTANT: Word 2007 users, you MUST save the file as a 2003 document (.doc) or we will not be able to read it!)
4. E-mail completed form to arts.grants@umich.edu
5. For those needing bus transportation funding as well, please be sure to mention this under the "Activity Costs" section of the online form

Already received funding? A variety of Arts at Michigan Logos are available for your use.

Additional Questions

Please contact Deb Mexicotte, or by phone at 734-615-9581.

Thank you for looking for new ways to connect to your students through the arts!