VCA Arts in Practice Grants

The VCA Arts in Practice Grants program aims to enhance access to high-quality artist-led residencies across Virginia. Starting July 1, 2025, this rolling grant allows eligible organizations to receive up to 50% reimbursement of residency fees, with a maximum of $2,000. Activities must engage Virginia's communities through dynamic educational programming, supporting diverse learning environments for all ages. Interested applicants should apply at least two weeks prior to their scheduled activities.

Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis by Commission staff until April 1, 2026. Applicants must apply at least two weeks prior to the activity.
Purpose
To expand access to high-quality artist-led residencies throughout Virginia.
Description
Arts in Practice Grants help ensure that Virginians can experience enriching educational programming through dynamic artist-led residencies. This grant program is designed to reimburse eligible organizations who partner with artists on the VCA Teaching Artist Roster for up to 50 percent of residency/workshop fees. VCA Teaching Artists book engagements with organizations, who then apply for Arts in Practice Grants. Arts in Practice activities must be facilitated in-person but may vary in duration and format. These activities are designed to support a diverse range of learning environments for participants of all ages, and/or professional development opportunities for educators.
Up to 50 percent of the residency or workshop fees for programs listed on the Teaching Artist Roster, with a maximum reimbursement of $2,000, and subject to the overall funding limit allocated for each VCA Teaching Artist. Arts in Practice awards are made to the partnering organization applying for the grant (not to the VCA Teaching Artist), who is responsible for compensating the VCA Teaching Artist in full.
Residency Examples
An elementary school engages a dance artist for four weeks to conduct 45-minute weekly sessions with each third-grade classroom to integrate movement with their study of migration.
A poet is brought in by a community center to work with a group of senior citizens on memory and personal history through poetry.
A theatre artist conducts a workshop for teachers of rural second-language English learners to develop lessons utilizing theatre performance techniques to support language development.
A nonprofit organization coordinates a one-day military/veteran’s family event where teaching artists conduct mini-workshops and demonstrations.

Eligibility

Units of local and tribal government
Current VCA Teaching Artist Roster participants who are permanent Virginia residents Eligibility RequirementsMeets the basic eligibility requirements as listed on page 9 of the Guidelines for FundingEligible ActivitiesShort-term active participatory residency including for schools and communities not to exceed 20 hours
Activities could include workshops or demonstrations with a participatory component, community arts projects, or professional development for arts educators.Synchronous or asynchronous virtual learning with a specific Virginia population All programming must take place in ADA-compliant facilities in VirginiaGrant awards to organizations must include a 15 percent cash match.Sources of matching funds may include revenue from the project activities such as ticket sales, contributions from foundations or corporations, government support from federal or local sources, or cash from the organization’s own accounts.

Ineligibility

Organizations receiving GOS grants may not apply for Arts in Practice Grants.Eligible applicants may apply for no more than two Arts in Practice Grants within a fiscal year.The Arts in Practice grant is not intended to support concerts, assemblies, or field trips. In-kind contributions cannot be counted as part of a cash match.Must not be under current debarment or suspension from federal funding.Must have no past due Final Reports to the VCA at the time of application.
As a state agency, the VCA does not fund:

• lobbying activities intended to influence a member of Congress or the General Assembly, to favor or oppose any legislation
• activities restricted to an organization’s membership
• expenses related to parties, receptions, fundraising events/benefits, etc.
• endowments or capital campaigns
• activities that are primarily religious in purpose

college or university-based projects that are part of a required course or curriculum that do not involve and serve a significant non-student population, or that are for activities that are otherwise available in the community
general operating support for historic celebrations or community promotional activities
fines and penalties, bad debt costs, or deficit reduction
arts activities/programs that occur outside of the grant period
vocal, dance, and musical ensembles that perform primarily pop, Broadway, or barbershop music, or that focus primarily on competitions