The Office of Creative Propulsion provides project-based support for JMU students and faculty working across disciplines, communities, and creative practices. This includes funding, strategic guidance, and access to resources for arts-centered research and coursework.
We define integrative arts as creative work that crosses boundaries between disciplines, between the university and the community, and between students, faculty, and industry. It’s about collaboration that leads to new forms, new questions, and new ways of working. Our mission is to support this kind of connection: whether through cross-disciplinary teaching, community-based projects, or innovative research.
This support helps our community move ideas from concept to realization. Funding can be used for materials, equipment, or other project-related costs. This support helps students and faculty advance interdisciplinary, arts-centered research or coursework. Funding can be used for materials, equipment, or other project-related costs.
2025-26 Round 1 Recipients:
Jingyi Zhang, Assistant Professor, Musicicology
Matt Pardo, Associate Professor, Dance
Kira Omelchenko, Associate Professor, Orchestral Conducting
Jeremy Starn, MFA candidate, Art
Eligibility & Criteria
- Open to all full-time JMU faculty and students, across all disciplines
- Projects must be interdisciplinary and centered in the arts
- Applications must include:
- A brief project or course description (up to 250 words)
- A budget
- A project timeline
Priority will be given to proposals that:
- Include a plan for sustainability
- Focus on arts advocacy or community engagement
- Create new pathways for arts participation
Award Details
- Two recipients per round
- Each award is up to $1,000
Expectations for Awardees
- Submit a one-page report with images by April 30, 2026
- Attend at least one OCP event (e.g. Sparks Symposium, Arts Impact Panel, Professional Learning Community session)
Additional Support
- Access to collaborative work and meeting space
- Conceptual and creative support from the OCP team
Timeline for AY 2025–2026
Round 1
- Early Deadline: September 22
- Final Deadline: September 29
- Awards Announced: October 13
- Funds Distributed: End of October
Round 2
- Early Deadline: February 2
- Final Deadline: February 9
- Awards Announced: February 16
- Funds Distributed: Mid-March
