HFA Arts, Design, & Creative Productions Fund

This annual fund provides support of up to $5,000 to two HFA faculty members, one junior and one senior, who are completing a major exhibition, performance, event, composition, or catalogue.*  The fund may be used to offset production costs of different works of creative nature, from visual and material exhibitions to dance and music performances to studio recordings, equipment necessary for completing a specific artistic project, stipends for graduate or undergraduate students, and material acquisition. 

* Exceptionally for 2025–2026, two award cycles will be offered: one with a deadline of November 15, 2025 for projects running January 1–December 31, 2026, and another with a deadline of March 15, 2026 for projects running July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. 

Eligibility  

• Junior faculty (full-time, pre-tenure or lecturer on a continuous appointment) and senior faculty (rank of Professor or full-time Senior Lecturer/Senior Lecturer II on a continuous appointment) with primary appointments in Architecture, Music & Dance, Studio Arts, or Theater are eligible.  Faculty from other departments are eligible, provided the proposed project aligns with the fund’s intended purpose. 
• The award may be used to offset costs associated with group endeavors provided the award recipient’s contributions are substantial and significant within the project. 
• The award may not be combined with the HFA Subvention Grant.   

Application Procedure, Timeline, and Expectations  

The Spring 2026 deadline to apply is March 15, 2026. The application form is available on the UMass InfoReady platform. The following documents are required at the time of application:  

• A one-page description of the creative activity. 
• Image or visual file to illustrate the work to be undertaken. 
• A project budget naming your funding sources, the amounts you are receiving from each, and a detailed list of anticipated expenses.  Please use the downloadable budget template available on the application form. 

March 15 - April 5, 2026: The HFA Research Council reviews submissions and makes recommendations to the Dean. The Dean selects and announces two recipients by the end of April.    

July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027: All substantial work must be completed during this period (within one year of receiving the award).  

September 30, 2027: Reports documenting progress and outcomes are due to the Dean’s Office.  If the final format of the work is expected to take place later, then an additional report is required.  Whether in printed or digital form, the HFA Arts, Design, and Creative Productions Fund should be acknowledged in the production.   

Award Management   

• Funds will be available for use on July 1, 2026. The recipient’s department business manager, in collaboration with the award recipient, submits a Summit report to the HFA Business Office for reimbursement of expenses made on the faculty member’s retention account. 
• All project expenses must be posted to the award recipient’s retention account by June 30, 2027. 
• The fund may be used to offset production costs of different works of creative nature, from visual and material exhibitions to dance and music performances to studio recordings, equipment necessary for completing a specific artistic project, stipends for graduate or undergraduate students, and material acquisition. The award may not be used to purchase individual faculty travel, personal expenses, or equipment. 
• As always, project expenses must comply with the UMass Business and Expense Policy. 
• Extensions and repurposing are not permitted.    

Who to Contact  

Amy Fleig, afleig [at] umass [dot] edu (afleig[at]umass[dot]edu,) Director of Faculty Development & Programs  

Pari Riahi, priahi [at] umass [dot] edu (priahi[at]umass[dot]edu,) Associate Dean for Research & Engagement