County Board Approves Arts Grants

Published on July 14, 2018

• Cash, use of County facilities, access to technical services
  


• WSC Avant Bard, Arlington Philharmonic Association, Arlington Arts Center, Bowen McCauley Dance among top recipients

The Arlington County Board today approved $215,810 in direct financial support to Arlington arts organizations and individual artists for Fiscal Year 2019.

The County offers three types of grants; for individual artists, projects and space and services. The largest financial grant awarded this year, $24,873, went to the WSC Avant Bard, a performing arts organization dedicated primarily to producing classic works.

"The County's arts grants program recognizes the importance of the arts in our community," County Board Chair Katie Cristol said. "For decades, these grants have helped nurture both individual arts groups and a vibrant, diverse arts culture in Arlington."

The Board voted unanimously, in adopting the Consent Agenda, to approve funding for the Arts grants. To read the staff report for this item, including the complete list of grant recipients, visit the County website. Scroll down to Item No. 40 on the agenda for the Saturday, July 14 County Board Regular Meeting.

43 grant applications

The Arts Commission received 43 grant applications requesting County support in Fiscal Year 2019. Of the 26 requests for financial support, 15 were from non-profit arts organizations and 11 were from individual artists. Twelve organizations requested performance/rehearsal space and technical services in addition to financial support, and five organizations requested performance/rehearsal space only. Submissions were reviewed by panels of art experts and committees of Arts Commissioners.

Two individual artists, Sushmita Mazumdar and Romeo Taylor, each received Individual Artist Grant Awards of $5,000 to support their work as Arlington artists.

Arlington and the Arts

As the County's conduit for arts support, Arlington Cultural Affairs operates theaters and provides space for performance rehearsals, dance studios, and a recording studio. Technical services provided by the County include professional assistance, access to the scene shop and discounted rental from the costume collection.

The Arlington Commission for the Arts, a Board-appointed advisory group, makes annual funding recommendations to the Board, in keeping with the County's "Policy for the Support of Arts Organizations and Artists." The policy, adopted by the County Board in 1990, authorizes the Commission to decide on grants of facilities and technical services and make recommendations to the Board on direct financial support to Arlington Arts organizations and artists.