The Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission’s
Community Arts Grant Program is designed to provide support for arts projects
that provide innovative and/or participatory experiences that reflect the changing communities in which we live, broaden access to arts experiences with an emphasis on projects that bring the community
together to celebrate the diversity of artistic heritage to increase
understanding, acceptance and positive regard among our communities.
A
high strategic priority in the Virginia Beach Arts Plan 2030 is to develop,
support and promote greater diversity of arts offerings - particularly in the
area of culturally/ethnically specific arts.
Actively expanding culturally diverse activities directly fulfills City Council’s Goal 7
to be “An Inclusive Community that is Welcoming and Empowers All.”
Eligibility:
The grant program is open to 501(c)3 non-profit organizations whose purpose is to promote and develop diverse cultural arts programming. Programs must take place within the City of Virginia Beach and be open to the public. Groups representing underserved communities including culturally/ethnically diverse communities are encouraged to apply.
Available funds are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis to qualified applicants following the commencement of the Commission's fiscal year, July 1st of every year.
Organizations are responsible for submitting applications eight business days prior to the Executive Committee meeting at which the organizations would like the application reviewed.
A meeting schedule is available from the Office of Cultural Affairs or click here for a printable PDF. This schedule is subject to change, and applicants should confirm with Debby Collins prior to submitting an application.
Proposals submitted to the program will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Quality of Project: clear, well-conceived, authentic relationship to neighborhood or other community of interest, promotes arts participation and community relations.
- Community Impact: project plan describes meaningful efforts to create community participation and reach a diverse audience.
- Feasibility: the organization has a proven track record of presenting this and/or other event(s); evidence of community involvement and support; and clear realistic budget for the event.
This grant will NOT fund:
- General operating support for cultural organizations, and funding will not exceed 50% of the total cost of the project.
- a project or organization already funded by the Commission;
- fundraising efforts;
- gifts;
- organization's administrative costs not directly related to the project;
- purchase of equipment or software;
- food related costs;
- events not open to the public.