2020-21 Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission Grants Now Available

September 4, 2020

The Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission is pleased to announce three annual grant programs available to organizations whose missions are based in providing arts, humanities, history, or cultural programming and services. In partnership with the City of Virginia Beach's Cultural Affairs Department and the arts community, the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission promotes excellence in the arts and humanities by initiating and supporting programs, activities and policies that inspire, nurture and reflect the cultural diversity of the area. The three different grants are:Community Cultural Arts GrantsThese 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 with the goal of bringing the community together to celebrate cultural and ethnic diversity. Organizations do not need to be based in Virginia Beach.Project must take place in Virginia Beach before June 30, 2021.Request up to $5,000, which may be up to 75% of the project budget.Grant cycle for FY21 has two rounds based on availability of funds:Round 1 deadline – 5 p.m. on Oct. 2, 2020 for round 1 consideration. Round 1 presentations will take place at the Nov. 5, 2020 Arts & Humanities Commission meeting. If funds are still available for a second round, the Round 2 submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Dec. 4, 2020. Round 2 presentations will take place at the Feb. 4, 2021 Arts & Humanities Commission meeting. The Arts & Humanities Commission will not accept faxed or emailed applications.Leadership & Organizational Development GrantsGrants of up to $750 to support arts and humanities leaders' (professional administrators 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 current schedule is available on the Cultural Affairs website.Project Grants Project Grants support increased access to quality cultural programs for all citizens of Virginia Beach, and are available to nonprofit arts and humanities organizations.Organizations do not need to be based in Virginia Beach.Project Grant awards will cover up to 50% of the total cost of projects supported by the grant. Project Grants will open in November/December 2020 for eligible projects occurring the following fiscal year. Applications are due on Feb. 1, 2021.Presentations will be made in person or via WebEx in late March.Awards and contracts are issued in the late spring/summer for the upcoming fiscal year.Projects must occur between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.For more information visit vbgov.com/culture or, to apply for a grant, visit the Arts & Humanities Commission Grant Interface online database. If you have any questions, please contact Hillary Plate, Cultural Programming and Grants Coordinator, at hplate@vbgov.com. 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 Virginia Beach History Museums, provides contract management for the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, serves as the liaison with Virginia MOCA and the ViBe Creative District, and serves as a resource to local arts and humanities organizations. # # #