Programs
The Curb Center offers a variety of arts-based programs for the Vanderbilt community and greater Nashville.
Programs are often offered in conjunction with each semester’s theme: in fall 2024, the Curb Center is organizing the Vanderbilt Eco-Grief Initiative, and in spring 2025, the Curb Center will investigate the theme of Art and Democracy. Please visit each program page for more information.
Additionally, the Curb Center’s spaces may be reserved, subject to availability, for student and faculty events. Learn more about reserving space here.
Fall 2024: The Vanderbilt Eco-Grief Initiative
Spearheaded jointly by the Curb Center, the program in communication of science and technology (CSET), and the Vanderbilt University Theatre Department, the Vanderbilt Eco-Grief Initiative is a collaborative inquiry into the emotional landscapes of living through climate change. Through theatre performances, a visual art exhibition, and guest speakers, the Eco-Grief Initiative aims to catalyze emotional reckoning as an avenue to candid dialogue, innovation, and lasting impact. Learn more about the Eco-Grief Initiative and view the schedule of events.
Exhibitions
The Curb Center exhibits the work of visual artists who use their practice to investigate issues facing their communities, animate social change, and celebrate the beauty of being human. We offer guided visits for Vanderbilt courses tailored to curricular goals. Learn more about our exhibitions and schedule a course visit to the Curb Center.
Artist Residencies
The Curb Center aims to demonstrate the power of artistic inquiry into relevant issues by hosting artists-in-residence. Artists share their work by visiting classes, offering public programs and talks, and meeting with members of the Vanderbilt community. Learn more about our artists-in-residence and schedule a class visit.
Undergraduate Curb Scholars Program
The Curb Scholars Program is a selective undergraduate scholarship program for students who work at the intersection of the arts, creativity, and community engagement. Curb Scholars regularly interact with artists and community leaders to consider how they might develop and leverage their artistic practice. While Curb Scholars are selected during the admissions process, a small number of scholarships are reserved for rising sophomores. Learn more about the Curb Scholars Program and meet the Curb Scholars.
Graduate Public Scholars Program
Through the Public Scholars Program, the Curb Center supports graduate students to develop arts-based projects on campus and in the wider community. Public Scholars receive a two-year grant of $2500, professional development in arts-based community engagement methodologies, and support for conference travel as part of their participation in the program. Applications for the Public Scholars Program open August 5; learn more information and apply.
Creative Inquiry Grants
The Curb Center awards Creative Inquiry Grants to support Vanderbilt undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff as they engage in arts-based inquiry and action on Vanderbilt’s campus and in the broader community. In addition to funding, award recipients may use the Curb Center’s workspaces, event spaces, and studios, as well as material resources to support successful project outcomes. Learn more about applying for a Creative Inquiry Grant.
Arts + Urban Futures
Arts + Urban Futures is a community of practice for Nashville’s arts leaders convened by the Curb Center. Working with our faculty fellow Jyoti Gupta in Peabody’s Department of Human and Organizational Development, the Curb Center aims to invest in Nashville’s arts community by being a convening space and professional development resource for leaders and administrators in local arts organizations. Find out more about Arts + Urban Futures.
Community Engagement Boot Camps
In Spring 2025, the Curb Center will host Forklift Danceworks , a community-based dance company in Austin, Texas, for a series of Community Engagement Boot Camps. Students, faculty, and staff will learn arts-based community engagement methodologies, relationship-building strategies, and ethnographic research skills in these three full-Saturday boot camps through Forklift’s groundbreaking approach. We are currently recruiting faculty for individual and whole-course participation; contact Leah Lowe for more information.