Purpose
The Spark Community Impact Grants for Faculty and Staff encourage collaboration and innovation through music leadership. These grants support and encourage musical projects, events, or activities which impact one or more of the following:
- School of Music community
- USC Campus community
- Columbia local community
- South Carolina/Southeastern community
- National/world community
Apply
Click here to apply. Deadline to apply is April 10, 2026 at 11:45 p.m.
Funds Available
Awards up to $1,500 are available for projects to be realized in the 2025/26 academic year and may be used in a number of ways, including but not limited to:
- Class, studio, ensemble or area related expenses
- Support for student projects, guest artist visits/residencies, special events, workshops
- Professional development
- Encourage collaboration between the School of Music and the greater university
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include all School of Music faculty and staff who impact the learning environment at the University of South Carolina School of Music. We encourage applications from all music disciplines: applied, ensembles, education, academic, etc.
Ineligible Projects
- Proposals that have received Spark CIP funding more than three times
- Recordings
- Commissions of new music
Previous Winners
2025 Winners
Prof. Jeremy Polley – Women in Music Conference
Dr. Colleen Clark – Jazz Girls Day
Prof. Ari Streisfeld – Duo Cortona + Geoff Deibel
Dr. Alicia W. Walker – Graduate Choral Conducting Immersion Study: British Choral Literature
Dr. Clifford Leaman – Guest Artists Jean-Michel Goury, Yves Josset and Denis Leviallant
2024 Winners
Prof. Rachel Calloway – Professional Pre-Screenings for Students
Prof. Michael Harley – Richard Greener Recording Project
Prof. Lauren Meccia – Help Jazz Girls Day Continue to Thrive!
Dr. Wendy Valerio – School of Music Sound Bath Training for Students, Faculty, and Staff
2023 Winners
Dr. Gail Barnes – USC String Project Golden Anniversary
Prof. Dominic Armstrong – Distinguished Guest Artist Master Class Series
Prof. Rachel Calloway – The USC-Castleton Experience
Dr. Alicia Walker – Choral Conducting Residency with Dr. John Dickson
Dr. Michael Harley – Ten Thousand Birds in Shenandoah National Park
Prof. Jeremy Polley – Hands on Harmonies
Dr. Wendy Valerio – Music, You, Creativity, & Community + The Art of Improvisation – Opening Meal
2021 Winners
Dr. Sarah Williams – Writing About Music and "Behind the Peake" Podcast
Prof. Michael Harley – Bassoons in Schools
Dr. Cormac Cannon – Genesis: Composer-Ensemble Collaboration
Dr. Kunio Hara – Concert Matchmakers