PCA serves as a resource for regional, governmental and private foundation grants. Significant sources for arts funding are:

VCA Artists in Residency Grant Program

The Virginia Commission for the Arts invites PK-12 public and private schools, school divisions, and tax-exempt organizations (which may apply in partnership with schools or school divisions) to apply to the Artists in Residency Grant Program. The application deadline is April 1, 2008. Application forms are available at www.arts.virginia.gov. 
 
Funding through the Artists in Residency Grant Program is used to place professional visual and performing artists in PK-12 public and private schools in Virginia. The goal of the program is to provide support for school/artist collaborations that foster increased quality arts experiences for children in VA schools. Residencies may last from a minimum of three school days to up to an entire school year. This program is a matching grant. VCA will award up to 50% of the residency cash expenses. If you are a first-time applicant, VCA will award 2/3 of the eligible cash expenses.
 
Additional information, guidelines, and application forms are available at www.arts.virginia.gov.

The recently announced Community Performance Access Fund encourages Charlottesville-area performing arts groups to present their performances at the Paramount Theater by partially underwriting the expense of renting the theater. The Paramount hopes to increase awareness and support of Charlottesville’s performing arts groups through the visibility they can gain by performing in a professionally-run, 1,040-seat venue at the heart of the Downtown Mall. The intent of the CPAF is to highlight local performers, not to subsidize the performance of a professional and/or non-local performer appearing as a fundraiser for a local organization. For more information contact Jane Mills, Director of Development, at (434) 979-1922 ext. 104 or janemills@theparamount.net

The National Endowment for the Arts provides grant support in the following disciplines/fields:  Arts Education, Dance, Design, Folk and Traditional Arts, Literature, local Arts Agencies, Media Arts (Film/ Radio/ Television), Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting, State and Regional, Theater, and Visual Arts. Funding is usually limited to organizations. Direct awards to individuals are made only through Literature Fellowships, NEA Jazz Masters Fellowships, and NEA National Heritage Fellowships in the Folk & Traditional Arts.)

To access information about present and upcoming NEA funding opportunities, go to the NEA website, www.nea.gov.

VCA funds individual artists and arts organizations through a variety of grant programs. The Commission provides fellowships for individual artists to help create new work as well as advance the careers of artists and the art forms in which they work. These fellowships are awarded in rotating disciplines.

The Commission provides on-going support for established arts organizations and assists in the development of new ones that fill a community need. It funds both professional and non-professional organizations that strive for artistic excellence. VCA offers General Operating Support, as well as Technical Assistance and Technical Enhancement grants for arts organizations.

Grants for educational programs are also provided by VCA. These include artist residencies in schools, projects that integrate the arts with non-arts curricula, and educational programs of non-profit arts organizations. For information on the Virginia Commission for the Arts, it grants and application forms, visit the VCA website at  www.arts.state.va.us/grants  or email VCA at arts@arts.virginia.gov.