Call for Proposals:
The Reflection Project: Looking at Who WE ARE
Development of Proposals for Mini Grants to Fund Engagement Activities and/or Student Attendance at Performances at Penn State’s Center for the Performing Arts
Introduction
The Reflection Project: Looking at Who WE ARE is an initiative funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation with the overarching goal of providing Penn State students with opportunities to embody the true essence of the phrase of “We Are…” by investigating themselves and their identities through engagements with the arts. To facilitate student engagement, The Reflection Project is accepting proposals for up to $2,000 to fund the following activities related to Mellon Foundation-sponsored performances at Penn State’s Center for the Performing Arts (CPA) during the spring semester 2022:
- Purchase of Tickets for Students to Attend Performances
- Transportation to and from Commonwealth Campuses to Attend Performances
- Research Travel as Part of the Course Development Process in Support of Pre- and/or Post-Performance Engagement Activities
- Materials Planned for Classroom Use to Support Pre- and/or Post-Performance Engagement Activities
- Stipends to Invite Complementary or Related Artists/Speakers in Class to Enhance Students’ Performance Experience
Applications are due October 29 2021, with awards to be announced on November 12, 2021. If you are in need of assistance, please contact Cheri Jehu at clj5350@psu.edu to schedule a time to address any questions.
Project Overview
For many, “We Are..” encapsulates the student experience at Penn State by creating a sense of belonging to a globally recognized, interconnected community that exemplifies exuberance, energy, and pride. However, are there other, more profound connotations than a feeling of identification incorporated in this ritual chant? What reaction does “We Are…” elicit from those students who feel disenfranchised?
The Reflection Project intends to create a sense of belonging and inclusion among the Penn State community by student exploration of the following themes:
(1) Personal and Communal Identity
(2) Creating and Receiving Empathy
(3) Recognizing the Importance of Telling One’s Story and the Stories of Others
(4) Preparing Students for Global Citizenship
Immersing students in the arts will give them the ability to discover their identities, understand other points of view, be able to confidently tell their own and others’ stories, and recognize how they fit in the world.
To be considered for funding, faculty members must require students in the identified course attend at least one Reflection Project CPA performance and agree to have an in-class artist engagement in support of each performance in the request. In addition, the applicant must demonstrate how attending a performance and related engagement activities align with one or more of The Reflection Project’s themes as stated above.
Reflection Project artists are in residence at Penn State from three days to two weeks leading up to the performance. Artist classroom engagements can take on many forms and are tailored to meet the needs of the individual class. Engagement formats are bespoke to an individual class, and can include lecture/demonstrations, talks with the creative team on the development of a given piece, master dance or music classes, workshops to create art related to the theme of the show or other formats based on the specific class. CPA staff will work with faculty members developing and scheduling engagements.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation-funded CPA performances for Spring 2022 season are:
Spring 2022
What Problem? February 7 through 11, 2022
Bill T. Jones, Janet Wong, and The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company’s
new work What Problem? revolves around the interplay of single and group identities. Jones conceived this highly personal work in pursuit of the elusive “we” during these fractious times through a cast of 40 dancers/community members, and a deconstructed text from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” and Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. The visual environment will be transformed by the renowned architect Liz Diller (Diller, Scofidio + Renfro) in collaboration with Peter Nigrini, Robert Wierzel and Liz Prince. The score is an original composition by Nick Hallett, with an electronic component by music producer HPrizm aka High Priest, performed by and created with Holland Andrews. In addition to choreographing and directing, for the first time in over 15 years, Jones himself performs.
The cast and creative team of What Problem? will be available February 7 through 10 for class and community engagements with the residency culminating with the performance of What Problem? on the 11th.
Small Island Big Song April 4 through 7, 2022
Framed in a theatrical narrative amongst panoramic visuals of the artist’s homelands, the audience experiences a live musical journey across the breadth and into the soul of island nations of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, meeting an ancient seafaring ancestry and confronting the impacts of climate change head on, as the performers and youth ambassadors share their island's voice supported through the cinematic sequences.
Drawing on a roster of renowned First Nation artists, the concert features musicians performing irresistible oceanic grooves to soulful island ballads. Combining music, spoken word and live cinema with AV projections featuring footage collected during a 3-year film trip across 16 countries guided by the artists on their homelands.
The cast and creative team of Small Island Big Song will be available for in-class engagements April 4, 5 and 6 culminating in their performance on April 7.
Allowable Uses of Funds
The following section outlines the activities for which funding can be requested. Your application may include more than one activity or be related to more than one performance, but the total budget request cannot exceed $2,000 unless alternate funding sources are identified. Please note that the applicant is responsible for the accuracy of the budget request. If the actual cost exceeds the proposed budget, the awarded faculty and their department will be responsible for any amount in excess of the award.
Purchase of Tickets for Students to Attend Performances
If applying for students to attend one or more Mellon-funded performances, you may request tickets for students in more than one class as well as more than one section of a given class. Ticket requests can be made for more than one performance.
In calculating your budget for this item, the price is $15 per student ticket. For the purpose of estimating the number of tickets required, please consider using the maximum enrollment for the class.
Transportation to and from Commonwealth Campuses to Attend Performances.
Funds may be requested to transport students to and from any Penn State Commonwealth Campus for the purpose of attending a Mellon-funded CPA performance. There are multiple options for transporting students including the rental of vehicle(s) from Penn State’s Fleet Operations or from a private rental company.
If personal vehicles are to used, please use the approved mileage reimbursement at the rate of $.575 per mile in your calculations. To ensure that enough funding is requested, we suggest a minimum number of students per vehicle be established in order to request mileage reimbursement. An additional recommendation is to assume maximum enrollment for the class. Faculty and students requesting milage reimbursement would be responsible for completing the appropriate form.
Please indicate which method of transportation you are intending to utilize as well as a detailed breakdown of the estimated cost in the budget portion of the application as well as your source of information. For detailed information on calculating transportation costs, please see the section on Personal Vehicle Transportation Calculations in a latter portion of this document.
Research Travel as Part of the Course Development Process in Support of Pre- and/or Post-Performance Engagement Activities
Funds may be requested for the purpose of researching and developing pre- and/or post-performance engagement activities and include travel, per diem and accommodations. Request for research travel must provide a detailed description of why the destination was chosen, the goals of the research as well as how it is to be used in classroom engagements. A written summary of the results and findings of the research travel are required within 30 days of returning.
For detailed information on determining the cost of research travel, please see the section of Travel Costs in Budget Support at the end of this document. Supporting documents may be uploaded in the application.
Materials Planned for Classroom Use to Support Pre- and/or Post-Performance Engagement Activities
Funding can be requested for materials (to include access to on-line resources) to be used to support pre- and/or post engagement activities. A description of item(s) is required as well as how they will be used as a part of engagement activities.
Example
In support of Small Island Big Song, maps depicting the coastline over a period time in various parts of the world, maps will be purchased to be incorporated into classroom activities such as creating posters or collages.
Budget Example:
50 Students X 3 Maps Per Student X $12 per Map = $1,800
Please include documentation of cost for each item listed. The ability to upload the documentation will be available in the application.
Stipends to Invite Complementary Artists/Speakers into Class to Enhance Students’ Performance Experience
Funding requests to host a guest artist or speaker for your class(s) are permitted and can include transportation, lodging, per diem as well as any speaker or artist fees. The speakers or artists qualifications, their anticipated contribution to pre- and post-performance activities as well as a plan for their travel and lodging (if required) must be included in the application.
For a detailed example of calculating costs associated with a guest artist or speaker, please see Guest Artists and Speakers in the Budget Support section at the end of this document.
Please upload appropriate supporting documents in the application including resume of CV of guest speaker or artist.
Faculty Requirements
Faculty who are awarded a Reflections Project mini grant will require students in the designated course to attend one or more of The Reflection Project CPA performances as well as host an in-class engagement related to each performance included in the request. Awarded faculty will be asked to submit an end-of-semester summary capturing both their own and their students experiences as related to the funded activity. Specifically, how they and their students felt the experience related to The Reflection Project’s theme(s) and the perceived benefit. Reflection Project staff will be available to assist with this summary as needed.
Photos or video recordings of any artist engagements may be obtained by CPA staff and posted on The Reflection Project’s website. All students and faculty in the class will be required to complete the supplied release.
Criteria for a Successful Proposal
A completed application must be received by October 29, 2021 for full consideration. The link below for the on-line submission form.
The Reflection Project Spring Mini Grant Proposals
The application includes the following:
Faculty member’s name, PSU email address, PSU phone and home unit.
Course name(s) and number(s) for which the funding is requested to include the anticipated number of students in each class.
Description of course for which request is being made
Identification and description of the activities for which funding is being requested:
Purchase of Tickets for Students to Attend Performance(s)
Please indicate which performance(s) and associated number of tickets:
What Problem?
Small Island Big Song?
Please include a detailed budget.
Transportation to and from Commonwealth Campuses to Attend Performances
Please indicate which performance(s):
What Problem?
Small Island Big Song?
Please include a detailed budget.
Research Travel as Part of the Course Development Process in Support of Pre and/or Post Performance Engagement Activities
Please indicate which performance(s) and engagement activities the proposed travel will support:
What Problem? Please indicate the anticipated number of students participating in these engagement activities.
Small Island Big Song Please indicate the anticipated number of students participating in these engagement activities.
Please provide a description of the anticipated travel to include:
The purpose of the travel/rationale for the chosen destination
Itinerary
Please include a detailed budget.
Materials Planned for Classroom Use to Support Pre and/or Post Performance Engagement Activities
Please indicate which performance(s):
What Problem?
Small Island Big Song?
Please provide a description of the items or services for which funding is being requested.
Please include a detailed budget.
Stipends to Invite Complementary Artists/Speakers int Class to Enhance Students’ Performance Experience
Please indicate which performance(s):
What Problem? and the anticipated number of students attending the artist/speaker class event
Small Island Big Song? and the anticipated number of students to attend the artist/speaker class event
Please provide information on the art/speaker classroom visit to include the topics or activities to be included.
Please upload either the CV or Resume of the Guest Speaker.
Please include a detailed budget.
If funding is being requested for more than one activity, please provide a summary budget based on the detailed budgets requested above.
Identification of which project theme(s) the course will address by student attendance at the performance and related engagement activities. Please identify one or more of the following themes to be addressed:
Personal and communal identity.
Creating and receiving empathy.
Recognizing the importance of telling one’s story and the stories of others.
Preparing students for global citizenship
Demonstration of how the proposed activities and related Reflection Project themes enhance the existing course.
Please upload a letter of support from the chair or director of the academic department or program in which the course is offered.
Please review the following requirements for participating in The Reflection Project Mini Grant Call for Proposals. If awarded funding, you agree to:
Require all students in the identified class to attend at least one Andrew W. Mellon Foundation-funded performance.
Host an in-class artist engagement for each performance in the request.
Provide a letter of agreement signed by your department head.
Meet with the Mellon Program Coordinator to finalize the schedule of events including a classroom artist engagement.
Complete all forms and provide all documentation required.
Allow for photos or recording of the in-class engagement as well as secure signed releases from all students attending.
Submit a brief end-of-semester summary capturing both their own and their students' experiences as related to the funded activity.
If funds for research travel are awarded, a description of the results of the research will be due within 30 days of the return from travel.
Please contact the Mellon Program Coordinator, Cheri Jehu, at clj5350@psu.edu if you have any questions or concerns.
Review and Selection Process
Evaluation, selection, and grant awards are determined by an internal review committee against a rubric based on connection to the themes, the proposed activities’ adherence to proposal guidelines, feasibility of proposed budget and the number of students engaged with Andrew W. Mellon Foundation-sponsored CPA performances.
If you have any further questions, please email Cheri Jehu, Mellon Program Coordinator (clj5350@psu.edu).
Supporting Budget Information
Personal Vehicle Transportation Calculations
To secure information on vehicle rentals, please utilize the information on the section on Transportation Information in the last section of this document.
https://travel.psu.edu/rental-cars
Examples
Transportation will include renting two 15 passenger vans from Enterprise Rent a Car at $195 per van and $75 for fuel per van based on miles traveled and the current local fuel prices.
Or
Students will carpool from Penn State Altoona. The distance from the Altoona campus to University Park is 45 miles each way to a round trip of 90 miles at a reimbursement rate of $.575 per mile. Given a class size of 35 and based on 5 people per car:
90 miles x $.575 per mile = $51.75 reimbursement per vehicle
$51.74 reimbursement per vehicle X 5 vehicles = $258.75
Please note that if students carpool to and from a performance, they will need to submit a non-employee reimbursement form and receipts to CPA for processing. Reimbursement checks will be issued, on average, in seven to ten business days.
If a Penn State Fleet Operations Vehicle is used, then CPA will directly pay the cost and no reimbursement submission is required.
If a private car rental company is used, then faculty renting the vehicle(s) will need to submit forms and receipts for reimbursement to CPA for reimbursement.
Travel Costs
To secure information on vehicle rentals, please utilize the information on the following page:
https://travel.psu.edu/rental-cars
To secure information on pricing and booking airline flights, please utilize the information on the following page:
https://travel.psu.edu/airline-travel-options
To calculate the per diem for meals, please use the per diem calculator on the following page:
https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates
In creating the budget, please provide a detailed breakdown for each means of travel required to include quotes from any vendor to be used. Please see the above section on Transportation Calculations if traveling by vehicle. Please provide quotes from any hotels to include the number of nights and all associated fees. In order to secure the best rate possible, please obtain pricing and make arrangements through one of the links on the following page:
An itinerary is required that includes activities specific to researching and developing engagement activities including any associated costs such as entrance fees or performance tickets.
Sample Itinerary
Please note that all information presented in the following sample itinerary is not real events and is merely to be used as an example.
Dates: September 1 through 3, 2021
Purpose of Travel: To preview Small Island Big Song for the purpose of enhancing pre- and post-performance student engagement activities. Small Island Big Song will be performed at Northwestern University on February 2, 2022.
Itinerary:
Depart University Park Airport February 1, 2022
Arrive O’Hare International Airport February 1, 2022
Attend Fandango for Butterflies (and Coyotes) on February 2, 2022
Depart O’Hare International Airport February 3, 2022
Arrive University Park Airport February 3, 2022
Budget:
One Ticket to Attend Small Island Big Song: $45
Round Trip Airfare to and from Chicago’s O’Hare $515
Rental Car: $130 per day for 3 days $390
$50 for fuel $50
Per Diem: $57 for December 1 and 3 `
$76 for December 2 $190
Total Funding Request $1,190
Please provide supporting documentation for each specific cost. The application will provide the capacity to upload the supporting documents.
Guest Artists and Speakers Budget Example
For information on calculating costs of traveling by vehicle, please see Personal Vehicle Transportation Calculations above. For costs associated with other forms of travel, please see Travel Costs above.
Below is an example budget for a visiting lecturer.
A faculty member from the University of Pittsburgh with extensive knowledge on the history of music from the Pacific Rim will conduct a class visit/lecture on April 1, 2022.
Example
Mileage reimbursement at $.575 per mile X 276 miles round trip = $158.70
One Night’s Lodging at the Penn Stater: = $110.00
Per Diem for two partial days $57 per day X 2 days= $114.00
Guest Speaker Fee to include Class time and preparation = $400
Total Guest Speaker Budget= $624