By Amy Ginsburg, From a Capacity Partners Case Study As Covid-19 crashed into our area a year ago, the arts faced unique challenges as stages went dark and classes moved to virtual platforms. Professional theaters, such as the NextStop Theatre Company in Herndon, VA, were thrust into unfamiliar, unprecedented circumstances. Not every arts organization survived,...
Dana C. Stewart / Special to the Fairfax County Times Jan 22, 2021 This year make a resolution to explore new art experiences. Just one hour a week will expand your mind, entice your creativity, and provide you with a connection to the art, an artist, and the arts community. ArtsFairfax announces $567,138 in grants...
RestonNow.com January 20, 2021 at 2:30pm Dozens of local artists and arts-oriented organizations got welcome news last week when ArtsFairfax announced the recipients of $567,138 in emergency relief and recovery grants on Jan. 15. A nonprofit that serves as Fairfax County’s designated local arts agency, ArtsFairfax created an Emergency Relief and Recovery Grants program in order to provide quick...
Dana C. Stewart / Special to the Fairfax County TimesJan 15, 2021 The year 2020 is over, and we can thank our creativity, innovation, and desire to connect for getting us to January. The arts community led the way in transitioning exhibits, classes, and experiences to an online format. It has not been easy, and...
Dana C. Stewart Special to the Fairfax County TimesDec 11, 2020 December is traditionally a time for us to reflect and give generously to those in need. This year, thinking back, 2020 seems longer than 12 months. It has challenged us to rethink how we live both economically and culturally. Like everyone, the local arts...
Fairfax County, VA– ArtsFairfax announces $567,138 in grants to 59 art organizations and 29 individual artists through the newly created Emergency Relief and Recovery Grants and the Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Support Grants. “The impact of COVID-19 continues to have a devastating effect on the arts community, yet we have seen the arts continue to provide...
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| Grant Program | Description of grant program | Grant Information Session date | Application deadline | Grant Panel Date(s) | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Track | Fund one-time unforeseen needs or activities for arts organizations that fall outside the regular cycle or scope of ARTSFAIRFAX grants. | ArtsFairfax is assessing needs and resources for FY22 | - | - | - |
| Operating Support | Fund arts organizations’ basic operational needs. | March 4, 2021 | April 14, 2021 | May 25-27, 2021 | August 2021 |
| Emergency Relief and Recovery Grant | Supports arts organizations and artists as they adjust to losses sustained due to programming and/or operations that have been modified or suspended as a result of COVID-19/ | ArtsFairfax is assessing needs and resources for FY22 | - | - | - |
| Project Support | Project Support grants fund programs and activities that engage new audiences in the arts and contribute to community arts activities in Fairfax County. | ArtsFairfax is assessing needs and resources for FY22 | - | – | – |
| Organizational and Professional Development | Fund activities that improve organizational management. | Suspended for FY22 | - | – | – |
| Artist Grant | Recognize individual artists for outstanding accomplishments | Suspended for FY22 | - | – | – |
Manuela serves as the Communication assistant managing ArtsFairfax’s social media profile and community engagement. She joined ArtsFairfax in August of 2020.
Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Manuela was the Social Media Coordinator for a small arts and crafts company in Costa Rica. Her professional experience at organizations such as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Arena Stage, BalletX, PhiladanCo, and The Rock School for Dance Education has fostered a love of learning and passion for non-profits and the performing arts. Manuela is a graduate of The University of The Arts in Philadelphia and holds an MA in Arts Management from George Mason University.
571-395-4624 | kbansal@artsfairfax.org
Karan serves as the Information & Technology Manager overseeing the website and managing all office technology-related issues. During the past year, Karan has led many technology advancement initiatives in the office including transitioning every employee to a home office environment. Karan joined ArtsFairfax in July 2019.
Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Karan worked for Robotics Education and Competition Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on robotics and engineering education for students from kindergarten to college and served as a research intern at NASA Langley Research Center. Karan holds a BS in Information Security from George Mason University.
571-395-4617 | lmariam@artsfairfax.org
Lisa serves as Director of Grants & Services, overseeing ArtsFairfax’s grant programs, the Artist Residency Program, Arts for Life, Creative Spaces, and workshops. In addition, Lisa works closely with the Master Arts Plan Task Force to plan facilities and public art for Fairfax County. She also managed ArtsFairfax’s Imagine Art Here public art engagement projects. Lisa joined the staff of ArtsFairfax in 2009.
Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Lisa organized traveling exhibitions and coordinated loans at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Lisa reviews grants for other local arts agencies and selects artists for local public art projects. In addition to her arts leadership, Lisa served for eight years as the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Cultural Arts Chair in Fairfax County elementary and middle schools, Girl Scout Troop Leader, and is a member of the class of 2020 Leadership Fairfax. Lisa is a graduate of Georgetown University, and she holds a MA in Art History from George Washington University.
571-395-4619 | bmacroberts@artsfairfax.org
Brenda serves as the Director of Development & Operations. In this role, she directs and manages all fundraising activities, including the Arts Awards, and oversees the organization’s operations. She works with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to set priorities and strategies in these functions. She joined ArtsFairfax in November 2016.
Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Brenda was Executive Director of the Broadway Rose Theatre Company. Before that, she worked for several years and held many positions at Young Audiences of Oregon and SW Washington. While at Young Audiences managed the Run for the Arts raising over $700,000 for arts in the schools. She is the Vice-Chair of the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce and chaired the Tysons 2050 event in 2019 and 2020. Brenda holds an MBA in Arts Administration from Golden Gate University and a BA in Theatre Arts from California State University, Fresno.
571-395-4616 | lsullivan@artsfairfax.org
Linda serves as President & CEO, reporting to and working with the Board of Directors to meet the organization’s mission, goals and objectives. Linda provides overall management of the organization’s programs and activities, staff and fiscal administration. As a consultant from 2001 to 2010 she worked with over two dozen arts organizations, of all disciplines, in the Washington DC region. Linda came to ArtsFairfax in November 2009 as a consultant, and she assumed the full-time position in March 2010.
Prior to coming to ArtsFairfax, Linda served the greater Washington area as an arts management consultant, specializing in interim directorships, capital project development and all aspects of arts management. Linda has worked with museums and exhibition centers as well as literary, performing arts and multi-arts presenting organizations. Additionally, her professional activities include teaching fundraising for George Washington University’s Museum Studies Program and serving as a Standards of Excellence reviewer for Maryland Nonprofits. Linda also has served as a commissioner, board member and grant reviewer for numerous state and local arts councils. She holds a MFA in Arts Administration from Columbia University.
571-395-4618 | kcraine@artsfairfax.org
Kimber serves as the Grants Manager, administering a $500,000+ annual grant funding program, manages grantee communications, as well as, oversees the Fairfax Poet Laureate Program. Kimber joined ArtsFairfax in 2018.
Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Kimber was the Director of Program Initiatives for the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH) for almost 14 years. During that time, Kimber supervised programs like the National Student Poets Program and managed Save America’s Treasures. Before PCAH, he was the Communications Manager for the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), the Project Director for an artist residency project as part of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial, and oversaw a national public art initiative. Additionally, he worked for several regional theaters in new play development, arts education outreach, and other capacities. Kimber holds a MA from the University of California Santa Barbara in Theater.
571-395-4621 | crenn@artsfairfax.org
Claire serves as the Development Manager supporting all development activities as well as general administrative activities. Claire joined ArtsFairfax in October 2018.
Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Claire was a board member of the Hermitage Museum and Garden’s Young Associate’s Board for three years. She completed internships with the National Endowment for the Arts in their Events and Development Department, working on the 2019 Jazz Masters and the 2019 Poetry Out Loud Finals. Claire holds a B.F.A. in Art History from Longwood University and an M.A. in Arts Management from George Mason University.
571-395-4625 | dstoebe@artsfairfax.org
Danielle serves as the Arts Education Program Manager overseeing the Artist Residency Program, Arts for Life, and other special initiatives. Danielle joined ArtsFairfax in 2019.
Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Danielle completed internships with both ArtsFairfax and the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings over the past two years. She also teaches private music lessons to students in the Fairfax area at Crescendo Studios. Danielle has a B.A. in Music with a minor in Business from George Mason University.
571-395-4623 | dstewart@artsfairfax.org
Dana serves as the Director of Communications & Advocacy overseeing ArtsFairfax’s strategic communications plan chief storyteller. In her role as an advocacy leader, Dana directs the local, state, and federal advocacy services. She joined ArtsFairfax in July 2018
Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Dana was a founding partner and Vice-President at Cornerstone Government Affairs where she managed clients’ federal appropriation and policy strategies. In the non-profit arena, Dana led the development and implementation of The Washington Animal Rescue League’s communication department and served as a National Conservation Advocate for the Marine Fish Conservation Network. For the last three years, Dana has been a regular contributor to a variety of blogs and online magazines. Dana has a BA in Communications from the University of Kentucky and a Masters of Public Policy from American University.
Be the voice of the arts by joining ArtsFairfax and Americans for the Arts (AFTA) for the annual National Arts Advocacy day in Washington, D.C. during March.
Be the voice of the arts by joining ArtsFairfax to engage state elected officials to encourage their support of arts funding and policies that benefit the arts. We collaborate with Virginians for the Arts to promote participation in the January Arts Advocacy Day at the State Legislature in Richmond, Virginia.
Be the voice of the arts by joining ArtsFairfax at their annual Arts Advocacy Day in early April. For this event, we invite the general public and the arts community to show their support of the arts at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ annual budget hearings. Prior to the 2019 election, ArtsFairfax surveyed the candidates on their views of the arts.
When the community provides success stories, data analysis and information about the needs, goals, and outcomes of art programs, they are providing key information that contributes to effective solutions and building strong communities.
ArtsFairfax defines advocacy as the process of educating the general public and decision- makers in the public and private sector, who influence policy and resource allocation at the local and national level. Government decision-makers deserve to be well-informed as they craft policy and appropriate funding. ArtsFairfax educates at the local, state and federal agencies and elected officials on the policies, initiatives and funding that impact the arts community.
ArtsFairfax uses Submittable as our grant management tool. You will need to login and create an account.
Knowing your community makes you the best advocate for the arts. Knowing the facts shows that you are not only passionate but understand how the arts impact our local, state and national economy and culture. Learn more?
Educating Decision-Makers = Advocacy
One voice has considerable strength, especially when expressed collectively. Educating and advocating for the arts can occur through many ways:
Category 2: Next Step Grant
Designed to be more intensive and tackle major issues, it provides technical assistance and funding to carry out a transformative capacity building project by providing consultant support before, during, and after the project. To apply, organizations must first submit a Letter of Intent and requires a substantial commitment from both staff and board of the selected organization. Possible Projects include:
Category 1: Organizational and Professional Development Grant
These grants help support and create greater organizational capacity to anticipate, prepare and adapt so that organizations can deliver and fulfill their mission. Possible Projects can include the following activities:
ArtsFairfax grants are awarded through a competitive process. The process begins with a staff review of each application to ensure its completeness and the applicant’s eligibility. Applications are then reviewed by a panel composed of arts professionals with experience in a variety of disciplines. The panel meetings are open to the public, and applicants are encouraged to attend and observe. Following the panel meetings, the Grants Committee, a standing committee including members of the ArtsFairfax Board of Directors, makes funding recommendations based upon the panel’s scores for approval by the ArtsFairfax Board of Directors.
ArtsFairfax invites applicants to attend the peer-review panel. In-person panel meetings are open to the public and applicants will be notified of the schedule for the panel meeting and are encouraged to attend. If necessary, panel meetings may be held on-line. Virtual panels will not be open to applicants for observation; however, staff notes summarizing the discussion and comments will be available. You will be notified prior to the panel review.
