Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department Seeks Volunteer Review Panelists for New Arts Grants

The Cultural Affairs Department is seeking volunteers with a passion for the arts to serve as panelists to review applications for two new grant programs: the Individual Artists Support Grant and the Creative Neighborhoods Grant. Funded through a new revenue stream, established by the City Council’s allocation of 20% of admission taxes to arts funding, these grants will support individual artists and community arts projects. Volunteer panelists will evaluate submissions based on artistic merit, community engagement and collaboration.

Panelist Qualifications

• Virginia Beach resident
• Knowledge of visual, performing or literary arts
• Experience with nonprofit organizations, arts education or community engagement
• Familiarity with grant writing or project evaluation (preferred but not required)
• Ability to collaborate and work with a diverse panel

Panelist Responsibilities

• Attend an orientation session on grant criteria and scoring
• Review and score grant applications
• Participate in virtual or in-person panel discussions
• Commit to three hours monthly from December 2024 through April 2025

Applications to be a panelist are now open and available online. Deadline to apply to serve as a panelist is Dec. 11. For more information, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/ArtsGrants.

About the City of Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department
The Cultural Affairs Department is a driving force behind Virginia Beach’s thriving arts, heritage and cultural landscape. Through dynamic and meaningful experiences, the department connects residents and visitors alike, fostering stronger, more vibrant communities. In addition to leading the City’s Public Art Program and overseeing the Virginia Beach History Museums and the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, the Department guides the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission and manages partnerships with key institutions including Virginia MOCA, Virginia African American Cultural Center and the ViBe Creative District. As a vital resource to local arts and humanities organizations, Cultural Affairs ensures that the arts remain at the heart of our city’s identity and growth.