Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission Grant Applications Now Open

The Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission is now accepting applications for two of its three annual grant programs from organizations whose missions are based in providing arts, humanities or cultural programming and services. The grants are:

Community Cultural Arts Grants – OPEN NOW

• These grants are designed to aid in building cultural equity in the arts in Virginia Beach by providing support for arts-based projects that reflect our changing communities through innovative, culturally rooted, and/or participatory projects. Organizations do not need to be based in Virginia Beach.
• Project must take place in Virginia Beach before June 30, 2025.
• Request up to $5,000, which may be up to 75% of the project budget.
• Grant cycle for FY25 has three rounds based on availability of funds:
  • Round one deadline: 5 p.m. on Aug. 16, 2024. Round one presentations will take place at the Sept. 5, 2024, Arts & Humanities Commission meeting.
  • If funds are still available for a second round, the round two submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2024. Round two presentations will take place at the Dec. 5, 2024, Arts & Humanities Commission meeting.
  • If funds are still available for a third round, the round three submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2025. Round three presentations will take place at the March 27-28, 2025, Arts & Humanities Commission meetings.
• The Arts & Humanities Commission will not accept faxed or emailed applications.

Leadership & Organizational Development Grants – OPEN NOW

• Grants of up to $1,250 to support arts and humanities leaders' (professional administrators, key volunteers and board members) acquisition of skills and practical tools that hone their ability to lead, develop and sustain the overall health and vitality of arts and humanities organizations.
• Eligible organizations must operate within Hampton Roads.
• Available funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants.
• Applications must be submitted no less than 12 business days prior to an Arts & Humanities Commission meeting. The meeting schedule is available online.

Project Grants* – FY26 Project Grant application reopens in December 2024

• Project Grants support increased access to quality cultural programs for all citizens of Virginia Beach, and are available to non-profit arts and humanities organizations.
• Organizations do not need to be based in Virginia Beach.
• Projects must take place in Virginia Beach.
• Projects must occur between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
• Project Grant awards will cover up to 50% of the total cost of projects supported by the grant.
• Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2025.
• Presentations will be made March 27-28, 2025. These dates are subject to change.
• Awards and contracts are issued in the late spring/summer for the following fiscal year.
• Free workshops to aid applicants in the grant process will be announced in December and January.

*Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Project Grants are supported in part by a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

About the City of Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department

The Cultural Affairs Department engages residents and visitors through meaningful arts, heritage, and cultural experiences to connect and strengthen communities. The department assists and directs the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission, coordinates the City's Public Art Program, oversees the Virginia Beach History Museums, provides contract management for the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, serves as the liaison with Virginia MOCA, the ViBe Creative District and the Virginia African American Cultural Center, and serves as a resource to local arts and humanities organizations.