Photo Credit: Matthew Maizels; Traveling Players Ensemble's Traveling Troupe performs Macbeth at Colonial Williamsburg in 2009.

On behalf of Fairfax County, the Arts Council awards $500,000 in grants to arts organizations and individual artists in the County. In FY12 the Arts Council…

• Awarded 67 organizations and artists,
• Funded over 2100 performances and activities,
• Attended by over 636,000 people.

History

In 2006, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established a community funding pool for arts and cultural organizations serving citizens of Fairfax County through a grant to the Arts Council of Fairfax County. As a result, the Arts Council awards $500,000 yearly to support Fairfax County artists and arts organizations. For more information or if you have specific questions, contact our Grants Manager at (703) 642-0862, ext. 1.

Eligibility

The Arts Council awards grants to 501(3)(c) nonprofit arts organizations incorporated and doing business in Fairfax County.  Individuals and unincorporated groups may not apply but an eligible nonprofit organization, known as a fiscal sponsor, may apply on behalf of an individual or unincorporated group in certain grant categories. Please see program specific guidelines and applications for detailed eligiblity criteria.  Individual artists residing in Fairfax County are also eligible to apply for Strauss Fellowship Grants.

Review Process

The Arts Council uses a multi-step process involving staff, peer review panels, a grants committee, and the full Board of Directors.

The Arts Council’s staff verify applicant eligibility and review application materials for completeness.  In each program category,  peer review panel(s) convene with staff and grants committee representative present. Each year, over 25 people volunteer their time and expertise to help the Arts Council fairly and openly distribute public funds to arts organizations.  The panel is composed of a diverse group of arts professionals from throughout the region with relevant and specific expertise.  The Arts Council  accepts nominations for panelists from the general public. To nominate an individual for panel service consideration, please send a resume and letter of interest to the Grants Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The panel ratings form the basis for  funding recommendations from the Grants Committee to the full Board of Directors.  Applications are evaluated according to artistic merit, organizational effectiveness, community outreach, and appropriateness of the budget.

Information for Grant Applicants

The Arts Council of Fairfax County offers three grant programs for arts organizations: Operating Support, Project Support and Organizational Development. The Arts Council offers one grant program, the Strauss Artist Awards, for individual artists.

Operating Support Grants

Operating Support grants provide funds for the basic operation of arts organizations in Fairfax County in recognition of the valuable programs and services they provide to County residents. Operating grants also contribute to the stability of these organizations.

Organizational and Professional Development Grants

Organizational and Professional Development grants fund the business aspect of the arts for arts organizations. Possible projects include staff training and organizational capacity building including financial management, board development and strategic planning.

Project Support Grants

Project Support grants are non-recurring grants used to support arts organizations in providing activities that engage new audiences in the arts and contribute to the vibrancy and quality of life in Fairfax County. These grants will not fund operating expenses.

Strauss Artist Awards

Named for Bill Strauss (1947-2007), gifted writer, co-founder of the Capitol Steps and the Cappies, the Strauss Artist Awards support and encourage Fairfax County’s finest creative artists in all disciplines and recognize professional working artists’ achievements and their demonstrated history of accomplishments; they promote artists’ continued pursuit of their creative work.

Uphoff Scholarships

The Uphoff Scholarships are embedded in the selection process of the Silver and Gold Key Scholastic Competition program for Fairfax County school students. Howard Uphoff established this scholarship fund to assist high school students in the fulfillment of their dream for artistic training