Arlington Cultural Affairs Division Annual Arts Grant

Arlington Cultural Affairs Division Annual Arts Grant is sponsored by Arlington County Government. Awards to support individual artists and arts organizations aligning with the Arlington County Policy for the Support of Arts Organizations and Artists.

Grants – Official Website of Arlington County Virginia Government opens in new tab or window About the Arlington Arts Grants Program The Arlington Commission for the Arts administers the grants program for Arlington County artists and arts and cultural organizations.

The Arlington County Policy for the Support of Arts Organizations and Artists (as approved by the Arlington County Board on December 8, 1990) describes eligibility for the program, application procedures and criteria for evaluation. The Arlington Arts Grants Program is an important way that the County addresses its investment in our arts infrastructure.

As you apply for support, consider the ways in which your work helps to further the vision and values of Enriching Lives: Arlington Arts and Cultural Strategy .

Enriching Lives also aligns with the following goals set forth in the Policy for the Support of Arts Organizations and Artists : To create a climate within the County that is conducive to the growth and development of Arlington’s artists and arts organizations through public and private support.

To foster the development of excellence and diversity in the arts, ensuring that a varied program of cultural activities is available to satisfy the interests of Arlington’s citizens. To guarantee to all Arlington artists and arts organizations an open and fair policy which assures equal access to County arts resources. To encourage development of public/private partnerships in support of the arts.

Grant Review Day - August 8, 2027, 9:30-3:00 p. m. 3700 South Four Mile Run Drive or watch online here .

Applications for the FY 2027 grants are now closed. Individual Artist Grant Program Description GRANT DUE June 17, 2026 - 11:59 p. m.

The FY 2027 Individual Artist Grant is a competitive program that supports individual artists with grants in the amount of $15,000 in direct financial support. A maximum of four grants will be awarded. The program funds innovative, new projects that: Increase access to and engagement in the arts.

Foster artistic excellence of arts in Arlington Have significant impact on the community and advance cultural equity in Arlington Result in distinctive, high quality and meaningful cultural experiences in Arlington Please note that one of the Arts Commission’s priorities is to fund projects that have a strong dedication to equity and/or youth well-being; it is with that in mind that the review panelists will be looking for projects that meet that goal.

At least one public presentation or performance that is directly related to the funded project must take place in Arlington during the grant period. The presentation(s) may be artist talks, exhibitions, outreach activities, educational seminars, or other activities as deemed appropriate by the Commission. The grant period for this award is July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

The Grants Office offers Arts Grants Preparation Workshops that provide an overview of the FY 2027 Arts Grants Program and include step-by-step directions for completing the application. All artists applying for a grant are required to attend one workshop or schedule a call with the Grant Administrator. Workshops for Grants will be held virtually via MS Teams and should last no more than forty-five minutes.

Registration is required. Please be on time. Please register for one of the following dates and times: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 2:00 p.

m. -2:30 p. m.

Thursday, May 7, 2026, 7:00 p. m. – 7:30 p.

m. Individual Artist Grant Application Organizations - General Operating Support General Operating Support Grant Program Description The FY 2027 Arlington Arts Grants Program is a competitive program that supports arts organizations with financial grants for General Operating Support (GOS).

Grants are to be awarded for activities that: Foster excellence, cultural equity and diversity of arts and culture in Arlington County; Have significant impact on the community or meet a need in the County; and, Result in distinctive, high quality, and meaningful cultural experiences in Arlington County. The GOS program is made up of four (4) categories outlined in the guidelines.

Applications receiving an average score of 75 or above will receive funding; the amount of funding is based on the category the organization is in, the organizations average score, the organization’s reported 990 revenue, and the amount of available funding.

Placemaking Anchor Operating Support Grants General Operating Support I General Operating Support II Folk, Cultural Heritage & Traditional Arts Operating Support Grant *Please note that GOS I & II will use the same application.

Categories will be determined by answers to the criteria questions* Placemaking Anchor Operating Support Grant Own or lease real estate in a mixed-use district Regular schedule of programs/events Contributes to a culture of the arts Own or lease real estate in a mixed- use district that is open to the public for a consistent schedule of programs. Employ at least one full-time staff member or two part-time staff members.

Staff are issued IRS W-2 forms (not contractors). Annual revenue over $200,000 Up to 20% of annual revenue as stated on the most recently filed 990 with a max of $75,000. Final amount determined by score and overall amount available.

Arts Organization General Operating Support I Professional arts organization Regular Schedule of programs/events Potential for growth into a placemaking anchor retained in Arlington Connectedness for participants Employ at least one full time staff member or two part-time staff members. Staff are issued IRS W-2 forms. (not contractors) Annual revenue over $100,000 Paid artists and staff based at a minimum of the federal minimum wage.

Consistent and regular program of events Up to 20% of annual revenue as stated on the most recently filed 990 with a max of $30,000.

Final amount determined by score and overall amount available Arts Organization General Operating Support II Mix of professional and amateur artists Affordable for children and families Offers lifelong arts participation Community engagement, participation and/or education Connectedness for participants Introduction to different arts genres and opportunities Annual revenue a minimum of $20,000 per year Staff can be full-time, part-time, contractor, or volunteers.

Artists can be unpaid, stipend, or hourly. Programming or organizational activities (rehearsals included) should take place at least 120 days of the year. Up to 20% of annual revenue as stated on the most recently filed 990 with a max of $20,000.

Final amount determined by score and overall amount available Folk, Cultural Heritage & Traditional Arts Operating Support Grant Rooted in the cultural life of a community. Artistic traditions are preserved and passed down.

Sharing of cultural practices with community Annual revenue of at least $10,000 per year Staff can be full-time, part-time, contractor, or volunteers Artists can be unpaid, stipend, or hourly Programming can be consistent throughout the year or a festival or program to share cultural practices in line with the mission of the organization Up to 20% of annual revenue as stated on the most recently filed 990 with a max of $15,000.

Final amount determined by score and overall amount available At least 51% of artistic and/or cultural work must be performed, produced, or presented for the public in Arlington County within the grant period. The grant period is from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

The Grants Office and the Grants Committee together offer Arts Grants Preparation Workshops that provide an overview of the FY 2027 Arts Grants Program and include step-by-step directions for completing the application. All organizations applying for a grant are required to attend one workshop. If you cannot make one of the workshops, please schedule a call with the Grant Administrator.

To schedule please email sraphael@arlingtonva. us Workshops for Grants will be held virtually via MS Teams and should last no more than forty-five minutes. Registration is required.

Please be on time. Please register for one of the following dates and times: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 1:00-1:45 p. m.

Thursday, May 7, 2026, 8:00 p. m. – 8:45 p.

m. Links to the applications are available in the GOS guidelines (PDF, 315KB) and above.

The following are the list of grantees of the FY26 Arlington County Cultural Affairs Grant Program: Individual Artist (IA) Awards General Operating Support (GOS) Grant Awardees Arlington Artist Alliance The Arlington Children's Chorus Educational Theatre Company Encore Stage & Studio Inc Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington National Chamber Ensemble Subtotal, General Operating Support Subtotal, Individual Artists Total, Individual Artists and Organizations An applicant awarded County support must agree to insert in season brochures, programs, web pages, and other appropriate printed and digital material the following credit: “This program is supported in part by Arlington County through Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development, and the Arlington Commission for the Arts.

” In addition, a link to arlingtonarts. org must be placed on an organization’s website. If an organization would like to use the Arlington Arts logo in print and/or digital media, it may be accessed here: Arlington Arts Logo (.

jpg ) Arlington Arts Logo (. png ) (PNG, 16KB) To inquire regarding space and services, email Rhe'a Roland-Singer , Facilities Manager. Facility Rentals and Information Blank W9 Form (PDF, 71KB) Supplier Account Form (PDF, 144KB) Creative Placemaking Budget Template (XLSX, 25KB) Please note: Applications for outdoor festivals previously administered by Arlington Cultural Affairs are now coordinated by Arlington County Special Events.

For more information, visit Special Events in Arlington County. Arlington Cultural Affairs 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive Arlington Cultural Affairs will make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities upon request.