Engaged Arts and Humanities Scholars

This two-year program is for graduate students in the arts, humanities, and other programs  who use the methods/archives of the arts and humanities in their scholarship. Participants will join a community of learners who focus on the co-design of mutually beneficial projects with partners outside of the university in  Colorado communities. Students will receive a $5,000 stipend over two years and up to $1,000 in project funding. 

The Engaged Arts and Humanities Scholars program, which originated in the Office for Public and Community-Engaged Scholarship, helps students apply the tools of their academic disciplines and their interests and lived experiences to develop community-engaged projects. A key program goal is to develop a strong cohort committed to equity-oriented community-engaged work.   

The Center for the Humanities & the Arts (CHA) is pleased to partner with the Office for Public and Community-Engaged Scholarship (PACES) for this program. The 2024-2026 and the 2025-2027 cohorts are co-facilitated by Lisa Schwartz, Community Program Manager for PACES. Students will also connect with faculty and staff from across campus and beyond with expertise in public and community-engaged scholarship. 

Meet the Engaged Arts and Humanities Scholar Cohorts 

Program Information

Cohort members will:

• Develop skills for academic and professional (non-academic) careers and grow their public and academic visibility.
• Engage communities in the co-design of community-engaged outreach, research, teaching, and creative work and address justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in partnerships. In addition, cohort members will now have the opportunity to earn a micro-credential in Equity-Oriented Partnerships.
• Creatively apply the tools of arts and humanities disciplines to community interests and build mutually beneficial relationships with community partners.
• Broaden their networks and receive mentorship from artists, nonprofits, leaders, academics, and community members statewide.
• Interview mentors about their experiences, and how they address equity and inclusion.
• Workshop their ideas and activities with cohort colleagues and practitioners from across campus and beyond.
• The cohort will share aspects of their work in a culminating shared presentation or publication.

Funding

Participation stipend: Students receive a $5000 stipend to participate. Stipends will be paid in two installments at the beginning of each program year as summer funding. NOTE: EAH scholars who apply for and receive a CHA Summer Grant will have $2500 deducted out of said grant because you cannot hold both a CHA Summer Grant and EAH grant at the same time.

Partner project funding: Up to $1,000 for a community-engaged partnership project. The goal of the "partner" project is to develop a mutually beneficial and shared activity with community partners that leverages the student's scholarship and positionality. Scholars are eligible to each apply for funds up to $1,000 for partner project proposals provided that all requirements are met and that proposals meet specific criteria of the EAH scholars program for engaged scholarship. You must review your "partner" community-engaged scholarship project plan and budget with the program facilitators to be eligible to apply for funding. Project proposals are approved by a committee and are not guaranteed to be approved if they do not meet the specific criteria of the EAH scholars program. After a proposal is approved, a funding agreement is signed by the EAH scholar after stipulations in the funding agreement are met.

Program Timeline

2025-2027 Cohort

While the program is designed with an understanding of the needs and schedules of graduate students, the requirements and activities listed in the link below are mandatory for participation and funding. Failure to comply with the requirements listed in the link below will have pre-determined consequences that will be shared during the orientation. Events and meetings take place on campus or virtually where noted. There will be other opportunities and events that cohort members will also be strongly encouraged to participate in or attend.  

Program Timeline document 2025-2027 

In the News

•   Graduate Students Benefit as Engaged Arts and Humanities Scholars | February 21, 2025