The McKinnon Artist Minigrants are generously supported by the Diane McKinnon Memorial Endowment, established in 2016 by Evelyn Colbert '85 and Stephen Colbert. This fund honors the memory of Diane McKinnon, a 1985 alumna of Arts & Sciences.

Participants of the Miller Arts Scholars actively engaged in the College of Arts and Sciences, either through majoring or minoring in the college or through ongoing and measurable coursework within an artistic discipline in the college are eligible for two Artist Minigrants per academic year.

Our faculty advisory committee favors applicants engaging in the arts in a meaningful way in our departments with our faculty, through extra-curricular activities, and with Miller Arts Scholars in seminar, discussion, meetings, and other activites. 

Funding is intended to support projects that clearly advance the applicant’s artistic development and contribute to their long-term creative trajectory. Award selection will be based on: 

• Artistic merit and potential for creative growth
• Overall clarity and quality of the proposal
• Demonstrated need and feasibility of the project
• Relevance to the applicant’s past work and artistic trajectory
• Anticipated impact of the project on the applicant’s development
• Level of participation and engagement in our departments and within the Miller Arts Scholars program 

Funding

Arts Scholars may request up to $500 to support fees related to attending workshops, field work, supplies, educational materials, and promotional materials. 

Eligibility

All Arts Scholars except those in the second semester of their fourth year are eligible and must meet the following requirements:

• Currently enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences
• Have completed or be currently enrolled in CASS 1010 or CASS 1011 (in the spring semester, this requirement is waived for Arts Scholars admitted to the program during the spring semester of their second year)
• Maintained a minimum GPA of 3.4 in all arts classes and 3.2 at the University.
• Previous recipients of Artist (Mini) Grants are not eligible until an outcome statement for prior funding has been received.

Important Deadlines

• Fall Application Deadline: 5PM on Friday, October 10, 2025
• Fall Minigrant Outcome Report Deadline: 60 days from receipt of Minigrant
• Spring Application Deadline: 5PM on Friday, Feb 27, 2026
• Spring Minigrant Outcome Report Deadline: 60 days from receipt of Minigrant

Funded proposals will usually be announced within 2-3 weeks of these deadlines and paid in full within a reasonable processing time after that. 

Application Components & Submission

Please find the revised McKinnon Artist Mini Grant Application Guidelines & Application Form below. Review the instructions carefully for properly submitting your application. Only complete applications received by the deadline will be reviewed. Applications must be submitted by the posted deadline as a single PDF file via email to the Director of Miller Arts Scholars, Professor Mona Kasra. Late, incomplete, or improperly submitted materials will not be accepted. 

McKinnon Artist Mini Grant Application Guidelines & Application Form: