Creative Inquiry Grants

Creative Inquiry Grants is sponsored by Vanderbilt University, Curb Center. These grants support arts-based projects serving the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities. While not exclusively focused on healthcare, projects related to narrative medicine, homelessness, and community engagement, which may include aspects of street medicine, are relevant.

Creative Inquiry Grants | Curb Center | Vanderbilt University For Undergrads, Grads, Faculty & Staff The Curb Center awards Creative Inquiry Grants to support Vanderbilt undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff as they engage in arts-based inquiry and action on Vanderbilt’s campus and in the local community. Film still from 2023–2024 Creative Inquiry Grant Project, “Cupid: A Short Film.

” The Creative Inquiry Grant Program awards grants for projects that center the arts in campus and community life by: fostering arts-based community engagement programs, projects, and events; building the capacity of the Vanderbilt community to formulate and implement creative approaches to campus and/or community challenges; piloting innovative ideas in curricula, media, design, creative practice, and expression; facilitating creative connections across disciplinary, social, and institutional boundaries.

We have awarded more than 100 grants for projects ranging from exploring doctor-patient narratives to creating a quilt of shared experiences; from reimagining prison art to exploring the blurred lines between research and art; and from hosting a virtual soul food festival to producing an immigrant cookbook featuring recipes and stories from home.

Image from Biosonification project by Jonathan Rattner, associate professor of cinema and media arts. Applying for an Inquiry Grant Creative Inquiry Grant awards are based on the applicant’s role at Vanderbilt: Faculty and staff can apply for up to $2,500; Graduate students can apply for up to $1,500; Undergraduate students can apply for up to $500.

On occasion, we will consider applications from interdisciplinary teams of applicants requesting larger award amounts. If you would like to be considered for an amount larger than what is outlined above, please contact David Wilson. Teams must still submit the application form upon approval to apply for a larger award amount.

In addition to funding, award recipients may request to use the Curb Center’s workspaces, event spaces, and studios, as well as material resources to support successful project outcomes. Creative Inquiry Grants for the 2025-2026 academic year will open on July 1, 2026. Click here for a preview of the form.

To apply for a Creative Inquiry Grant, please fill out the application form in its entirety. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have any questions about the application, please contact David Wilson to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting.

Stipulations and Allowable Expenses The Curb Center’s Creative Inquiry Grant Program does not fund the following types of award requests: Class assignments, class projects, or projects that fulfill curricular requirements Professional development funds, including faculty research and conference registration fees Software licenses and/or subscriptions for multiple users Direct payments to Vanderbilt students, faculty, and/or staff Allowable expenses may include: Material purchases (e.g. art supplies, office supplies, and other consumable materials related to the project) Event catering and snacks related to the completion of the project Professional services and honoraria for non-Vanderbilt individuals within the United States (with prior approval from the Curb Center) Space and equipment rental fees related to the completion of project Creative Inquiry Grants will be awarded in two cycles for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Please plan ahead and determine which application cycle is right for your project. Cycle 1: Applications open July 1 - August 31, 2026; award notifications sent September 11 Cycle 2: Applications open September 2 - November 2, 2026; award notifications sent November 13. Projects must be completed, expenses reconciled, and reports submitted by Friday, April 16, 2027.

Review Process and Criteria Curb Center staff will assess proposals according to the following review criteria: Logistical feasibility with respect to timelines, budget, scope, and scale Effective use of creative and/or artistic methods Potential to impact the Vanderbilt and/or Nashville community Prior grantees with missing reports may not be eligible for funding. Applicants will be notified of their status on the dates listed above.

Award recipients will receive a formal letter containing the details of their award, information about disbursement of award funds , and instructions for writing the grant report. All award recipients are required to attend an orientation with David Wilson, program coordinator, and Rachel Thompson, program manager, to learn further information about grant procedures. Orientations will be scheduled according to recipients’ availability.

The Curb Center requires an expense log and grant report upon the completion of your project, no later than April 16, 2027. Details and further instructions on grant reports will be covered during orientation meetings following award notifications.