Sheila Gulley Pleasants Fellowship Grant

Sheila Gulley Pleasants Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Virginia Center for the Creative Arts
Last Updated: July 30, 2025

Summary

The Sheila Gulley Pleasants Fellowship, offered by the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA), supports talented writers, visual artists, and composers in need of financial assistance to attend the residency program at Le Moulin à Nef in Auvillar, France. This endowed fellowship honors Sheila Gulley Pleasants, recognizing her 35 years of service to VCCA. With individual studios and meals provided, artists can focus on their creative work in a supportive community from March 16 to December 10, 2026.

Overview

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts The Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA) provides time and space for national and international writers, visual artists, and composers of talent and promise to bring forth their finest works, because the arts are vital, diversity is a strength, and creativity is essential. Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA), one of the leading artists communities in the world with locations in Amherst, Virginia, and Auvillar, France, hosts more than 400 writers, visual artists, and composers each year. The artists who come to VCCA, whether emerging or established, are selected by peer review on the basis of the important or innovative work they are doing in their respective fields. In residence, VCCA artist-Fellows are provided with an individual studio, a private bedroom and three prepared meals a day so they can focus exclusively on their work. While uninterrupted time is assured and participation in community events or public engagement is voluntary, the dynamic interaction among the 22 Fellows in residence together, as they share work, discuss process, and enjoy each other’s company, is an important component of the creative space of VCCA. With a tradition of hospitality and welcome, VCCA schedules a diverse cohort of artists across disciplines. Sheila Gulley Pleasants Fellowship The Virginia Center for the Creative Arts is pleased to offer this endowed fellowship in honor of Sheila Gulley Pleasants and her 35 years of service to VCCA. The fellowship fund will support VCCA Fellows working in any discipline — writers, visual artists, and composers — who need financial assistance to attend VCCA’s artist residency program at le Moulin à Nef in Auvillar, France. Residency Location: Le Moulin à Nef, Auvillar, France Residency Available: March 16 – December 10, 2026

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. VCCA Fellows in need of financial assistance