VCA Education Impact Grants

The VCA Education Impact Grants aim to enhance arts education across Virginia by funding hands-on programs and residencies that engage students and communities. Eligible applicants include Virginia schools and nonprofit organizations, with a focus on professional development for artists and educators. A 1:1 cash match is required for funding, ensuring that projects are sustainable and impactful. This initiative fosters creativity and collaboration, enriching the educational landscape in both traditional and non-traditional settings.

Purpose
To provide opportunities for students, educators, youth, and adult citizens throughout Virginia to participate in and learn through the arts by working with highly-qualified professional artists in both traditional and non-traditional learning environments
Description
Education Impact Grants fund hands-on participatory programs/residencies that enrich instruction in-school arts curriculum, engage diverse populations in community-based settings, and provide professional development for artists and educators. There is a 1:1 required cash match for the grant.

Eligibility

Eligible ApplicantsVirginia federally tax-exempt schools (public, public charter, private, alternative, special education schools, homeschools, career and technical centers, colleges, and universities)Virginia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizationsVirginia units of local and tribal governments (including libraries, departments of parks and recreation, correctional facilities, etc.)Eligibility RequirementsMeets the basic eligibility requirements as listed on page 9 of the Guidelines for FundingThe organization is a nonprofit Virginia 501(c)(3) organization or unit of local or tribal government. Groups without tax-exempt status may apply using a Virginia Fiscal Agent
All programming will take place in ADA-compliant facilitiesMust not be under current debarment or suspension from federal fundingMust have no past due Final Reports to the VCA at the time of applicationEligible ActivitiesNew or expanded artist residencies based upon identified learning goals. Grant funding supports multi-day projects, typically between three and 10 days in length.New or expanded in-school, after-school, or summer arts educationNew or expanded training programs for artists or arts integration professional development for teachers who work with Virginia’s Pre-K-12 students.Grant awards to organizations must be matched 1:1.For example, if an organization requests $1,000 from VCA, it must have at least $1,000 in cash income from another source (other than state or federal funds) towards the expenses of that same project. Sources of matching funds may include revenue from the project activities such as ticket sales; contributions from individuals, foundations, or corporations; or cash from the organization’s / school’s own accounts.

Ineligibility

The Commission will not fund the same activity of same artist(s) for more than three years without significant program expansion.In-kind contributions cannot be counted as part of a cash match.