New Grants Support Artists and Neighborhood Arts Initiatives

As part of the City’s goals to ensure that the arts are available in all corners of Virginia Beach, the Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department is offering two new grant opportunities aimed at supporting creative projects and artists' professional development. 

The Individual Artist Support Grant and the Creative Neighborhoods Grant are designed to drive continued growth in the city’s vibrant arts community. Funded through a new revenue stream, created by the City Council’s allocation of 20% of admission taxes to arts funding, these grants build on the vision of Arts Plan 2030.

Local artists and community organizations are invited to apply. Applications for both grant programs are now open. Grant guidelines, eligibility criteria, virtual workshop dates and applications are available online at VirginiaBeach.gov/ArtsGrants.

Individual Artists Support Grant Overview 

The Virginia Beach Individual Artists Support Grants are designed to support Virginia Beach artists by offering resources to enhance their artistic practice, achieve professional growth, build their portfolios, and engage with the community to contribute to the cultural vibrancy of Virginia Beach. Deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Jan. 24, 2025. 

Creative Neighborhoods Grant Overview 

The Creative Neighborhoods Grant Program is designed to empower and inspire communities by providing financial support for neighborhood-based art projects. This pilot program aims to foster a sense of pride, unity and creativity within neighborhoods and districts by funding projects that beautify public spaces, celebrate local culture, and engage residents in the artistic process. 

The grant supports arts organizations, civic/neighborhood associations, individual artists, groups of artists, non-arts nonprofits, and community-based organizations and businesses with project expenses associated with presenting multigenerational, free gatherings with arts components or short-term art projects in communities. These activities should bring the community together, enhance the neighborhood, and reflect its unique character. Deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2025.  

Volunteers Needed 

Additionally, the Cultural Affairs Department seeks volunteers with a passion for the arts to serve as panelists to review these grant applications. Panelists must be Virginia Beach residents. Applications are now open and available online. Deadline to apply to serve as a panelist is Dec. 11. For more information on panelist qualifications and responsibilities, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/ArtsGrants. 

• Apply for Arts Grants