Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Cultural Events Committee Grants

Cultural Events Committee Grants

The University Cultural Events Committee provides partial funding for new and existing programs that enrich the cultural environment at Western Michigan University. Funded activities should be relevant to a significant number of students within a particular discipline or available to the broader student population.

WMU units and organizations may apply for support for cultural programs and events, including activities involving visiting artists, performers, speakers or other guests.

Complete the grant application
About the committee

Apply for a Cultural Events Committee grant

Applications should be submitted as early as possible and must be received at least six weeks before the proposed event. Because available funding is limited, early submission is strongly encouraged.

The Cultural Events Committee provides partial funding. Applicants should demonstrate financial support from the presenting unit or organization and seek funding from other appropriate sources before requesting committee support.

Before you apply

Review the information below before completing the grant application. Applicants should be prepared to provide:

  • A description of the proposed event.
  • Biographical information about participating guests.
  • An itemized event budget.
  • Information about the event’s anticipated audience.
  • A description of how the event will be promoted.
  • Information about other requested or confirmed funding sources.
  • Any required endorsements or approvals.

Grant application information and guidelines

Because funds are limited, proposals for events to occur within the current academic year should be submitted at the earliest possible date, and must be received at least six weeks prior to the date of the event. Because the committee only meets when it has proposals to consider, there are instances when a decision may not be possible until after the event takes place, but this will not prevent Cultural Events Committee funding support.

Proposals for the next semester or next academic year may be submitted at any time. 

A grant application needs to meet the guidelines and include the indicated materials and information listed below:

  1. A completed Grant Proposal Summary.
  2. A completed Grant Proposal Endorsement.
  3. A description of the intended event (or series).
  4. Biographic information on any guest(s) involved.
  5. An acceptable budget outline (see budget guidelines below).
  6. A brief description of the event’s most likely audience.
  7. A brief description of how the event(s) will be promoted.

The proposed budget should include:

  1. An itemized list of anticipated expenses is required. The list of expenses should include rental fees for facilities, equipment rental, expenses for guest performers/coaches (e.g., travel, lodging, meals, honoraria), event staff, advertising, printed programs, etc.
  2. A list of all possible funding sources is required. Each source should be marked either “confirmed” or “requested.” Also include income sources such as ticket sales, where such is known.
  3. It is presumed that significant funding from the presenting unit or organization will be included in the list of income sources. The presenter’s financial commitment must be demonstrated.
  4. Before seeking a Cultural Events Committee grant, the presenting unit or organization must also seek funds from other logical sources, such as academic departments and colleges, and external sources, where available. Multiple income sources impresses the committee and will make the application more likely to result in a favorable decision.
  5. It is important to remember that the Cultural Events Committee is a possible source of partial funding (i.e., less than 50 percent of total event cost). It cannot be the primary source of funding.

Cultural Events Committee grant application

Complete the application below after reviewing the grant guidelines and gathering the required event, budget and endorsement information.

Grant Proposal Summary

Proposals must be received at least six weeks prior to date of the event. Grants—however—may be awarded after the event takes place.

Event Summary
Event 1
Event 2
Event 3
Budget Summary

An itemized budget meeting our published requirements (https://wmich.edu/cultural/grant) will be requested later in the application.

Enter number in whole dollar amount, e.g., $8,496.
Enter number in whole dollar amount, e.g., $1,500.
Grant Proposal Endorsement
Contact Person Section

(the person who is completing this application)

(Typed name serves as signature.)
Unit/Department Section

(if application is from an academic unit)

(Typed name serves as signature.)
Advisor Section

(required if application is from a student organization)

(Typed name serves as signature.)
Grant Proposal Components
Enter "N/A" if the event does not include any guest(s).
Our published requirements are outlined here: https://wmich.edu/cultural/grant.
One file only.
100 MB limit.
Allowed types: pdf, doc, docx, xls, xlsx.

About the Cultural Events Committee

The University Cultural Events Committee supports programs that enhance the cultural environment of Western Michigan University. Its grants provide partial funding for new or existing activities that serve students within a particular discipline or are available to the University’s broader student population.

University-wide support for visual and performing arts programming at Western Michigan University dates to the early 1950s, when an annual Festival of Arts featured regularly scheduled campus events and appearances by guest artists.

The Cultural Events Committee was formally established while Miller Auditorium was under construction in the late 1960s. The committee initially helped guide programming for the new facility, including an international concert series intended to bring prominent performing artists and ensembles to campus. It also encouraged student participation in fine arts programming and audience development.

At that time, the committee had a substantial annual budget of approximately $26,000. Most of these funds were used to subsidize student attendance at the new International Concert Series, while a smaller portion was reserved to support other cultural events across campus.

As the committee’s involvement with Miller Auditorium programming changed, its focus evolved toward providing partial funding for cultural programs and events throughout the University.

The Cultural Events Committee has historically included campus-wide representation. Its membership originally consisted of one or more representatives from each of the University’s colleges. As the committee’s role evolved, membership stabilized at one representative from each of several colleges.

The committee currently receives around $11,000 in annual funding to provide partial support for cultural programs and events across the University.

The Cultural Events Committee serves at the pleasure of the provost and vice president for academic affairs, who provides its funding and appoints its chair and members. Members serve indefinite terms at the discretion of the provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Questions? 

For questions about the grant program or application process, contact the current committee chairperson:

Kevin West
Director of Concerts, Irving S. Gilmore School of Music
2150 Dalton Center
(269) 387-4681