Rethinking Place: Bard-on-Mahicantuck Collaborative Research Grants

The Rethinking Place: Bard-on-Mahicantuck initiative, funded by the Mellon Foundation, invites applications for the Collaborative Research Grant, which will provide the Bard community–faculty, staff, students, and community partners–with an exciting opportunity to work alongside each other on a research project, inside or outside of a class. The Rethinking Place Collaborative Research Grant can offer $2000 to a team research group.

Prior to applying for funding, groups must identify a project and will be asked to submit a project outline and timeline. See below for more information on the application process and upcoming deadlines.

Deadlines: (rolling applications process)

  • Round 4 (applications due by April 30, 2024): accepting applications for Theme #3 (Food & Memory), for research project/course design to be undertaken Fall 2024. 

Grants Details

We are offering 1 per semester for research projects to be conducted during the lifetime of the grant (2022-2024). For Round #4, our “Food & Memory” themed round, we will be offering awards for research projects in Fall 2024.

Eligibility

Any faculty member with an appointment to teach during the academic year the project and/or course offered at Bard Annandale is encouraged to apply.  All current Bard students, excepting graduating seniors, may apply for research funds. All staff and community partners are welcome to apply.

Application Procedure

Interested research groups should submit a proposal of between 250 and 500 words describing the research project. Please include a list of possible participants, a proposed timeline, and an itemized budget. All members of each group should also submit a resumé, a CV, or describe relevant skills and/or courses and connections in support of the proposal.

Expectations

  • Award payment can take up to six weeks after the award letter is issued to be fully processed.
  • A point person from the research group will work closely with the Rethinking Place administrative staff to manage budget, other course support needs.
  • Submit a final report narrative and expenditures sheet via email to [email protected] by December 31, 2024, accounting for the use of the grant award and reporting on course evaluations and reflections for future course offerings.
  • Commit to presenting your experience in course development and teaching at a future Rethinking Place conference.

Past Grants

Studio Arts Program Exploration of Traditional Dye and Printmaking Techniques

As a continuation of a larger research project in natural dye plants, pigment extraction, and extraction of colorants from natural sources, this project aims to ground natural dye research in history and thought of Indigenous communities. Led by Studio Arts faculty Beka Goedde, this project collaborates directly with Rebecca Yoshino of the Bard Farm and Lucy Burr of Ancient Roots Homestead, in addition to students and other faculty across campus.

Vocal Arts Program Exploration of Repertoire in the Languages of the Métis people

With the support of Rethinking Place, the vocal arts program proposed an intensive week-long residency exploring repertoire in the languages of the Métis people, culminating in performances and a round table discussion with other artists, in October, 2023. This research project is led by Cree-Métis baritone Jonathon Adams, in conjunction with classes taught by Professor Erika Switzer (Mus254A/OCC 525/CNSV 522) that traditionally focus on French lyric diction, and one co-taught by Visiting Faculty Lucy Fitz Gibbon and the Artistic Director of the Graduate Vocal Arts Program, Stephanie Blythe, that historically explores US-

American art song repertoire (CNSV 517). Prior to Mx. Adams’ visit to Bard campus, assigned readings and class discussions, plus virtual sessions with Adams and with a Métis language instructor (for example Elder Norman Fleury, who preserves Michif language through USask’s College of Education), will help to orient students within the languages and culture of the Métis. During their visit, Mx. Adams will attend courses serving Bard College and Conservatory undergraduate and graduate students; teach a public-facing masterclass and offer private coachings; oversee and help curate a student recital featuring Métis and French language repertoire; present a recital of their own; and participate in a roundtable discussion with other Indigenous artists, such as Sky Hopinka, Jeffrey Gibson, and Luis Chávez, about the role of language in their work. Mx. Adams will be joined in performance by a cohort of other renowned musicians: Métis-Canadian pianist/composer Jesse Plessis, Baroque keyboardist Avi Stein, and Baroque violinist Robert Mealy.

Apply