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Virginia Commission for the Arts

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Virginia Commission for the Arts

The VCA is the state agency dedicated to investing in the arts of Virginia.

VCA’s mission is driven by five mandates that address (1) availability and accessibility to the arts, (2) a commitment to lifelong arts learning and education, (3) a healthy and productive arts infrastructure, (4)
the arts as a vital component of the Commonwealth’s economy, and (5) an environment that is open and conducive to artistic expression. These mandates and goals are addressed by interconn

ecting themes
that emphasize a strong commitment of support, relationship building and active service to the arts community and citizens of the Commonwealth. These themes include:
• Enhancing VCA’s capacities through improved communications, grants making processes and response systems.
• Increasing resources for the arts through more and better relationships, partnerships and alliances with the public and private sectors.
• Identifying and facilitating synergies within the existing Commonwealth’s arts resources for greater impact, sustainability and adaptability.
• Stimulating and advancing a broader and richer dialogue about the role and value of the arts and creativity in the everyday lives of Virginians.

05/28/2026

The VCA requires Final Reports to be submitted no later than June 1, 2026. Final Reports for the following FY26 grant programs are due:

- General Operating Support for Medium and Large Organizations (GOS) PART I
- Operating Support for Small Organizations (OSS) PART I
- Community Impact Grants (taking place before June 1, 2026)
- VA250 Impact Grants (taking place before June 1, 2026)
- Virginia Touring Grants (taking place before June 1, 2026)
- Arts in Practice Grants (taking place before June 1, 2026)

Final Report forms can be found on the applicant’s Foundant dashboard.

05/27/2026

Accessibility creates stronger, more welcoming arts communities.

Join Open Door Arts on June 10 for a free virtual webinar introducing the Arts & Culture Self-Assessment and Accessibility Hub.

Learn how your organization can take meaningful steps towards greater accessibility and inclusion.

Register via the link below:
https://form.jotform.com/261245021689154

05/22/2026

The VCA is extending a call for artists for the Great American State Fair, taking place June 25 - July 10, 2026, on the National Mall in celebration of the America 250 milestone.

Meridian International Center will be leading the programming for the National Endowment for the Arts’ Arts & Humanities Stage and is currently seeking diverse and dynamic artists and performers. All program expenses—including roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations (approximately 4-5 nights), daily per diem, and local transportation stipend—will be covered. Performers will also receive an honorarium of $300 per day/per person, including travel days.

To be considered for this opportunity, please fill out the Great American State Fair Interest Form by Friday, May 29th!

Interest Form Link: https://airtable.com/applIUsYPOEAyUk6n/pagGRRgvJHyEe9Vpx/form

Have questions? Reach out to [email protected]

05/18/2026

Last week, WDBJ-TV interviewed award-winning poet Mark Fryburg and Vietnam war veteran Ken Conklin about the Veterans Poetry Project!

The Veterans Poetry Project is a civic project founded by the Virginia Poet Laureate, Mattie Quesenberry Smith, that opens a new window for veterans, so they can explore poetry and experience the freedom that writing poetry brings to them and their communities throughout Virginia.

Watch the full interview here: https://www.wdbj7.com/2026/05/14/unique-veteran-program-helps-those-who-serve-express-themselves/

Learn more about the Veterans Poetry Project at veteranspoetryproject.com!

05/15/2026

Meet Tess Wladar, the VCA's new Communications Coordinator and Office Specialist!

Tess oversees agency communications and ensures our quarterly Commission Board meetings come together seamlessly. Prior to joining the VCA, she worked as an administrative assistant for VCU’s Art Foundation Program and an interdisciplinary art instructor for the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. She has a passion for needle-felting and 3D animation with an extensive body of work in both mediums. The VCA is delighted to welcome Tess to our agency!

Learn more about Tess at https://vca.virginia.gov/staff-new/.

05/07/2026

Save the date! The VCA is delighted to announce the return of ArtWorks!

The statewide arts gathering is scheduled for November 2027 and will take place over a day and a half in Central Virginia. More details on exact dates and location are forthcoming!

It has been one year since the VCA released its 2025 Constituent Feedback Survey, where many respondents expressed a strong interest in gathering in person with peers from across the Commonwealth. As we begin planning, our agency committed to ensuring the conference reflects the diverse needs of Virginia’s arts ecosystem. To help shape breakout sessions for ArtWorks 2027, as well as future VCA professional development webinars, we invite you to share your input!

Tell us which topics would be most valuable to your organization or artistic practice in our brief anonymous survey!

Survey link: https://form.jotform.com/261204434020136
Survey closes May 22

04/30/2026

Community leaders, artists, and culture workers in the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ (VCA) Region 8: You are invited to join the May VCA Region 8 workshop in the Small Town and Rural Arts network pilot!

📅MAY 15 | 12pm–1pm
📍Zoom (Virtual)

Advocacy and Amplification: Telling the Story of Your Work
Registration Deadline: May 13

Join Ash Hanson and Vivian M. Cook from Department of Public Transformation and Geoffrey Kershner with Small Town Big Arts to explore concrete strategies for sharing the story of your work and making the case for community-engaged arts initiatives in rural communities and small towns.

You will leave the workshop with an action plan for applying some of the strategies from the workshop to benefit your own communities in Southside. Participants will continue to build upon their action plan at the final workshop in the series, to be held on June 9th in Farmville.

This workshop will build on the March 24th and April 21st workshops, but you are welcome to join even if you were not able to attend the previous gatherings!

Register here: https://www.smalltownbigarts.com/sara-events

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04/28/2026

Are you a teaching or performing artist interested in delivering high-quality workshops, residencies, or performances across Virginia? If so, the VCA's Teaching and Touring Artist Rosters are designed for you!

Applications are open for the FY28 Teaching and Touring Artist Rosters (activities taking place July 1, 2027 – June 15, 2028). Inclusion is competitive, and applications are due July 15, 2026 (5:00 p.m. EST)

Learn more here:
https://vca.virginia.gov/apply-to-join-the-artist-rosters/

Have questions? Reach out to [email protected]

04/23/2026

The VCA proudly congratulates Patrick Olwell on being named a 2026 National Heritage Fellow, our nation’s highest lifetime honor in the folk and traditional arts.

Originally from Nellysford, Virginia, Patrick Olwell has spent more than three decades crafting exceptional wooden flutes. His artistry draws on decades of studying craftsmanship and historic designs, and has helped revive and redefine traditional Irish music.

We applaud Patrick and all of the 2026 National Heritage Fellows for their extraordinary contributions!

Full NEA press release:
https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2026/national-endowment-arts-announces-2026-nea-national-heritage-fellows

04/15/2026

The VCA is pleased to announce two new low-barrier grant opportunities launching this summer and fall, designed to support arts learning and artists across Virginia! Learn more about eligibility, timelines, and how to apply at www.vca.virginia.gov/grants/

Lifelong Learning Grants | up to $4,000 | 10% cash match
Supports sequential arts learning projects that expand access and serve underserved communities.

Artist Catalyst Grants | up to $500 | No match required
Supports projects that help Virginia artists advance their creative practice.

Both programs were shaped by feedback from the May 2025 Constituent Survey and are supported in part by the VCA’s historic $2M special appropriation.

Have questions?
Lifelong Learning Grants: [email protected]
Artist Catalyst Grants: [email protected]

Address

219 Governor Street, 3rd Floor
Richmond, VA
23219

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18042253132

Website

http://www.vca.virginia.gov/

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