Virginia Commission for the Arts Announces Return of Artist Fellowships and More Grant Deadlines Approaching
Richmond VA, July 9, 2019 -- The Virginia Commission for the Arts is pleased to announce the return of the Artist Fellowship program in FY20, in the discipline of crafts. Four artists will be considered for fellowships of $3,500 each, recognizing the creativity of Virginia artists and their pursuit of artistic excellence. 
 
Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted via our online grant portal . The deadline for application submission is Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at 5:00 PM.
 
Eligibility
  • artists who are legal residents of Virginia;
  • artists who plan to remain in Virginia during the grant period;
  • a legal resident who possesses a valid Virginia driver’s license and/or pays income taxes in Virginia and/or is a registered Virginia voter;
  • artists who are 18 years of age;
  • artists may receive only one fellowship award from the Commission within a four-year period. 
 
Amount of Assistance
Four artist will be considered for fellowships of $3,500 each. Artists are not required to provide matching funds. 
 
Criteria
A complete application must contain:
  • consistent quality of the artist’s work;
  • applicant’s record of professional arts activity and achievement as reflected in the resume/CV;
  • fellowship potential to result in significant advancement for the artist’s career. 
 
In speaking to the return of the Artist Fellowship program, Executive Director Janet Starke said, “We are thrilled to be able to reinstate the Artist Fellowship program, thanks to increased funding from the General Assembly for the year ahead. Too, we are pleased to reinstate the program with a focus on crafts, a genre that is really a cornerstone of so many cultures represented in the Commonwealth.”
 
As with all grants by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, applications for Artist Fellowships will only be accepted through our online grants portal. Visit here for more Fellowship information.  
Additional Grant Programs are Currently Open for Applications with Deadlines Fast Approaching
Artists in Education Express (AIEx) Grant
NOTE: Organizations receiving $2,500 or less in General Operating Support may apply for up to two AIEx grants. 
 
AIEx is a non-competitive grant category. The AIEx program provides support of up to $1,500 (15% cash match) to eligible Virginia Pre-K-12 schools, not-for-profit organizations and units of government for short-term residencies (20 hour maximum) focused on participatory and experiential learning conducted by professional teaching artist/s. Eligible organizations can apply for up to two AIEx grants per fiscal year.
 
Deadline
AIEx is a rolling grant program with applications accepted July 1, 2019 through April 15, 2020 or until funds are fully committed. Application will be accepted online at least six week prior to the proposed residency start date with activities taking place between August 1, 2019 through June 15, 2020. AIEx funding is available on a first-come first-served basis and applications will be reviewed by staff in the order in which they are received. 
 
Criteria for Funding
  • Demonstrated need by the applicant school or organization for the proposed residency
  • Financial need of the school or community organization for the requested grant
  • VCA Roster Artist/s working with underserved populations with limited arts access
 
Visit here for more AIEx guideline information. 
Teaching Artist Roster
The Teaching Artist Roster is an online searchable database of professional teaching artists. These artists are panel reviewed and are encouraged to work on VCA funded projects and programs. More importantly, they are interested in sharing their teaching artistry across generations and organizations. 
 
Deadline
Applications are accepted online twice a year with the next deadline on October 1, 2019 at 5:00 PM. 
 
Eligible Applicants
A Teaching Artist applicant must be:
  • 18 years of age or older at the time of applying;
  • A resident of Virginia, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and/or the District of Columbia;
  • A professional artists with expertise in one or more arts disciplines;
  • Skilled in working with children, youth teachers, adults, seniors, veterans, and/or other populations;
  • And committed to differentiated instruction and effective teaching methods to reach all learners.
 
FULL-TIME STUDENTS ARE INELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE TEACHING ARTIST ROSTER
 
Visit here for more Teaching Artist Roster information. 
Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud engages high school students in the analysis and interpretation of poetry through recitation and public speaking skills. The Virginia Commission for the Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation offers this free program to all Virginia high schools.

Registration is open now until Friday, November 8, 2019 . For more program information and to register your school visit http://www.arts.virginia.gov/programs_POL.html .