The Chocolate Lovers Festival, an annual two-day festival held on the first full weekend of February, features activities for all to enjoy. Join us for the Taste of Chocolate, the Chocolate Challenge, the ever-popular Kiwanis Chocolate Chip Pancake Breakfast, open houses at historic buildings, and much more.
Learn more: https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/special-events/chocolate-lovers-festival
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The residency teaches middle school students about the expression of ideas through the artistic vehicle of mosaics. Student artists explore multiple art forms such as drawing, painting and sculpture to complete their mosaics, and select a specific ocean animal to be the subject of their artwork. This residency allows student artists to research and discuss environmental issues such as ocean pollution and convey their thoughts through a process-based project. Materials include ceramic, glass tiles and natural elements.
ArtsFairfax conducts free grant information sessions for each grant program to help participants to learn about funding opportunities and how to apply. These sessions are recorded and available on our website. Staff also provide one on one support to arts organizations and artists throughout the grant process. Additional resources are available on the ArtsFairfax website including guidelines, resources, and sample applications.
Refer to Toolkit page #19 to learn more about who can assist and provide guidance during this process.
With so many variables, (such as building condition, zoning and uses), artists and arts organizations should consult with Fairfax County staff in the Permit Application Center at 703-222-0801 and use the “Permitting” section of the toolkit.
Create a plan for a compliant project before investing organizational resources. Failure to comply with zoning or building code regulations may result in a Corrective Work Order or a Notice of Violation, which shuts the project down.
This virtual residency provides students the opportunity to recount a specific narrative from a historical time period of their choosing through Hip-Hop dance choreography. During the residency students learn about the history of Hip-Hop culture, its beginnings in high-needs areas in the Bronx and how it became a global movement. Students explore Hip-Hop through interactive storytelling, observing dance performance videos and practicing movement basics. Students then collaborate with the artist to select a theme, music, movement techniques and choreography for a Hip-Hop performance. This program empowers and validates the students’ points of view and enables them to communicate through dance.
Victoria is the winner of the ArtsFairfax $200 award and her piece will be displayed in Congressman Connolly’s Fairfax Office. Victoria’s medium for this piece is acrylic on canvas.
Heaven is the winner of the ArtsFairfax $300 award and her piece will be displayed in the Workhouse Arts Center. Heaven’s medium for this piece is acrylic and oil on canvas.
Lena is the winner of the ArtsFairfax $500 award and her work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for the next year. Lena’s medium for this piece is colored pencil.
Washington, D.C., has given much to the musical world beyond its best-known exports; Duke Ellington, and the punk, and go-go scenes. Musician, broadcaster, and historian Ken Avis explores the area’s lesser-known, remarkable, and fascinating musical avenues and why they could only have happened here in the DMV area. Film and recordings bring legendary musicians to life as Avis examines how social change, technological development, and business innovation shaped the sounds that emerged from D.C.—a political town with a serious music habit. Discover music, stories and facts…and a lot of surprises as you hear the stories of Music City DC!
Award winning percussionist, composer and educator, Tom Teasley, delivers his unique world of rhythm and sound. Tom has traveled the world as a cultural envoy for the U.S. Department of State and shares musical examples of his travels as well as stories of the cultures from which this music emanates. He is currently working virtually with the US Embassy in Port au Prince, Haiti on a series of percussion workshops in addition to music business presentations. Other travels have taken him to China, Iraq, Korea, Oman, Jerusalem, Bahrain and others. Tom will also share his work on creating music for theatre which has earned him seven Helen Hayes Nominations and three awards. The residency consists of many musical and instrument demonstrations and performances and encourages participation.
Pictures and Poetry is a fun, interactive, low stress communal gathering where the participants will view and write poetically about visually pleasing images that evoke an array of emotions and responses. Tammarrah uses images as a catalyst for conversation, healing, laughter and insight. Participants get a chance to bring their own images to assist in cultivating creativity for the community of learners.
Tap into your own creativity, clarity, and happiness. Moving Dialogues is a powerful way to come together, experience each other’s perspective, and create deeper meaning. Zero dance experience is expected—Moving Dialogues is for everyone and every body. Be prepared to: write, move your body, think, and play. Moving Dialogues workshops started at American University’s Emerging Arts Leaders Symposium in 2015. Founder Kelly King led a group of participating arts leaders to answer the question: “What makes me happy?”
Since then, Kelly has led Moving Dialogues workshops for businesses and community groups, including: Visit Baltimore, The Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, Goddard College, Washington Performing Arts, ReCreative Spaces, The Girl Scouts of America’s Keys to Success Conference, Round House Theatre, Anacostia Arts Center, YMCA leadership, Office Accomplice, and more.
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.
571-395-4619 | 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.
571-395-4625 | 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.
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.
