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About the Grants
Sheldon Museum of Art’s Art Across Disciplines grants support University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) faculty and instructors, including graduate teaching assistants, from all fields in integrating art from Sheldon’s collection of 13,000+ works, Sheldon’s architecture, and/or another aspect of the museum (e.g., the collection database or website) into their teaching. The grant program aims to deepen engagement with the museum’s collection, enrich student learning, and cultivate sustained partnerships between the museum and the academic community.
Recipients will work one-on-one with Sheldon’s curator for academic and campus engagement over the summer to develop learning experiences that position art and/or the museum as a mode of inquiry, critical analysis, creative and inclusive exploration, and interdisciplinary connection. Instructional designers from UNL's Center for Transformative Teaching (CTT) will also provide guidance as needed.
Applicants may propose:
- Development of new assignments or lesson plans
- Integration of art and/or the museum into existing course units
- Creation of final projects grounded in object-based or experiential learning
- Design of new course modules or special topics courses
- Other innovative curricular approaches that engage Sheldon’s collection and/or architecture
Expected outcomes for grant recipients:
- Integrate art from Sheldon’s collection, Sheldon’s architecture, and/or another aspect of the museum into a course during the 2026–27 academic year (fall or spring semester)
- Share about the work and experience, as well as the impact on students, in a written post, podcast, or video, and in a presentation during a faculty workshop at Sheldon
- Submit a brief report (approx. 3 pages) for Sheldon explaining the impact of the grant program for you, your students, and potentially for other UNL instructors
Applicants who are interested in applying for a grant but don’t know where to start or aren’t sure how to integrate Sheldon into a course should contact Erin Hanas, Sheldon’s curator for academic and campus engagement, at erin.hanas@unl.edu to schedule a meeting with her and a CTT instructional designer to discuss options before submitting a proposal.
Applicants who already have an idea for how to integrate Sheldon are encouraged, but not required, to meet with Sheldon’s curator for academic and campus engagement before submitting a proposal.
Award Information
Eligibility: Faculty and instructors from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Prior experience with art or Sheldon is not required. Preference will be given to faculty and instructors who have not previously integrated art or the museum, who are proposing a course they have not previously taught, or who are proposing to integrate art or the museum into a course that has not previously done so.
Application deadline: April 15, 2026
Recipients notified: By May 8, 2026
Grant period: May 2026–May 2027
Funding amount per application: Up to $1,000
Number of available grants: Approximately four per academic year
Application and Submission Instructions
Access the application webform at https://sheldonartmuseum.org/art-across-disciplines-grants-app/. Applicants will be directed to first log in using their UNL credentials.
Submit your completed application by no later than the April 15, 2026 deadline.
Questions? Contact Erin Hanas, Sheldon's curator for academic and campus engagement, at erin.hanas@unl.edu.