Curb Public Scholars Program

The Curb Center’s Public Scholars Program supports graduate students in implementing arts-based projects on campus and in the wider community. Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort will open soon.

The Curb Public Scholars program provides mentorship, resources, and support for graduate students to realize public-facing creative and/or arts-based projects. Public Scholars receive a two-year grant of $2,500; access to Curb Center materials, facilities, and equipment; and workshops with artists, scholars, and community leaders to support the completion of their project. Public Scholars will also receive support to present their work at a conference in the second year of their program.

Program Eligibility

The Public Scholars Program is a two-year program that selects a new cohort each year. The Public Scholars Program is open to Vanderbilt graduate students across disciplines who:

• Have completed at least one year of their degree and have at least two years remaining
• Have advisor’s approval to participate in the program
• Can plan, execute, and evaluate their project by April 2027
• Are available to actively participate in approximately 3 group meetings and 1 individual meeting per semester (schedule will be decided based on selected scholars’ availability)

If you have any questions about this program, please email Curb Center program manager Rachel Thompson.