Purpose
The Spark Community Impact Grants for Faculty and Staff encourage collaboration and innovation through music leadership. These grants support and encourage musical projects, events, or activities which impact one or more of the following:
- School of Music community
- USC Campus community
- Columbia local community
- South Carolina/Southeastern community
- National/world community
Apply
Click here to apply. Deadline to apply is April 5. Awards will be announced by April 18, 2024.
Funds Available
Awards up to $1,500 are available for projects realized in the 2023/24 academic year and may be used in a number of ways, including but not limited to:
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Class, studio, ensemble or area related expenses
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Support for student projects, guest artist visits/residencies, special events, workshops
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Professional development
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Encourage collaboration between the School of Music and the greater university
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include all School of Music faculty and staff who impact the learning environment at the University of South Carolina School of Music. We encourage applications from all music disciplines: applied, ensembles, education, academic, etc.
Previous winners are welcome to reapply to fund new projects or new initiatives within existing projects. Submissions may come from individuals or teams.
Previous Winners
2023 Winners
Dr. Gail Barnes – USC String Project Golden Anniversary
Prof. Dominic Armstrong – Distinguished Guest Artist Master Class Series
Prof. Rachel Calloway – The USC-Castleton Experience
Dr. Alicia Walker – Choral Conducting Residency with Dr. John Dickson
Dr. Michael Harley – Ten Thousand Birds in Shenandoah National Park
Prof. Jeremy Polley – Hands on Harmonies
Dr. Wendy Valerio – Music, You, Creativity, & Community + The Art of Improvisation – Opening Meal
2021 Winners
Dr. Sarah Williams – Writing About Music and "Behind the Peake" Podcast
Prof. Michael Harley – Bassoons in Schools
Dr. Cormac Cannon – Genesis: Composer-Ensemble Collaboration
Dr. Kunio Hara – Concert Matchmakers