NVLAA Partners with New York Foundation for the Arts for Fourth Consecutive Year 

Northern Virginia Local Arts Agencies (NVLAA), a collaboration between ArtsFairfax, Arlington Cultural Affairs, and the City of Alexandria Office of the Arts, announce six free workshops for DC area artists and arts workers. Created to make professional learning opportunities more accessible and equitable for the local arts sector, NVLAA more than doubled its registration count last year with 4,919 registrants in FY25 from 2,390 in FY24. 

“Clearly, demand for professional development is strong in Northern Virginia. By investing in learning opportunities now, our artists and arts workers are better equipped to present their work and share their program offerings with audiences across the DMV,” says Stuart Holt, President & CEO of ArtsFairfax.  

Since 2022, NVLAA has presented 20 workshops and attracted over 7,500 participants. NVLAA offerings are mostly held virtually through online webinars. Though all three arts agencies conduct in-person networking opportunities, virtual webinars not only enable NVLAA to engage national arts leaders from the national nonprofit arts service organization New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), but also better accommodate artists’ unpredictable schedules, as many of the local workforce practice their arts work in addition to full-time jobs. 

Over the past three years, NYFA has delivered a series of virtual professional development workshops targeted at empowering artists, performers, and creatives with practical tools, strategies, and insights to support their careers.  

NVLAA 2025-2026 Workshops
Register Now

Jobs in the Arts  
Facilitated by NYFA 
October 9, 2025, 12:00-1:30 PM 
Virtual on Zoom 

Looking for a job in the arts? This session will cover best practices for putting together your application, as well as an inside perspective as to what hiring managers are seeking. In this session, we’ll cover crafting a cover letter, resume tips, how to ‘beat’ the applicant tracking systems, and current trends in the arts and cultural job market.  

Storytelling: Communicating Your Impact 
Facilitated by NYFA 
November 13, 2025, 12:00-1:30 PM 
Virtual on Zoom 

How can you tell your story as an arts professional and organization? Storytelling is a key component to communicating the value of the work you do, with applications for interviewing, advocacy, and fundraising. In this session, we’ll cover strategies for communicating your impact; how to articulate a clear problem statement, solution statement (mission) and value proposition; and methods for gathering data to quantify and measure key results. 

Public Art and Creative Placemaking: Activating Nontraditional Spaces 
Facilitated by NYFA 
January 15, 2026, 12:00-1:30 PM 
Virtual on Zoom 

Interested in public art and creative placemaking? Perhaps you could envision your work in airports, subways, parks and/or cityscapes. This panel discussion will explore the possibilities for art in public and nontraditional spaces, drawing upon the perspective of both artists who have landed these commissions and public art managers who administer them. In this session, we’ll cover types of public art opportunities, tips for applying to open calls, how these commissions are structured, and an inside look as to how these projects come to fruition.  

Nailing the Application: A Guide to Artist Open Calls
(Part 1: The Narrative) 
February 12, 2026, 12:00-1:30 PM 
Virtual on Zoom  

Many creative opportunities from residencies to exhibitions start with an open call.  How can you ensure you’re putting your best foot forward when submitting these applications? Join Part 1 of a 2-part series, focusing on the written components, or narrative of the application. Learn from panelists where to find open calls for art exhibitions and residencies, how to determine if an opportunity is right for you, and common misconceptions about writing. Time for Q&A will be provided. 

Nailing the Application: A Guide to Artist Open Calls
(Part 2: Work Samples) 
February 26, 2026, 12:00-1:30 PM 
Virtual on Zoom  

Many creative opportunities- from residencies to exhibitions- start with an open call. How can you ensure you’re putting your best foot forward when submitting these applications? Join Part 2 of a 2-part series, focusing on the work sample portion of applications. Panelists will offer tips for compiling and presenting your work samples, common errors reviewers see among portfolios, and more! Time for Q&A will be provided.  

Succession Planning 
Facilitated by NVLAA  
March 12, 2026, 12:00-1:30 PM 
Virtual on Zoom  

This workshop will feature local representatives from the Northern Virginia area discussing the creation of their organization’s succession plans, what they learned along the way, and their advice on navigating transitions without a plan in place.  

About ArtsFairfax 
ArtsFairfax is designated as Fairfax County’s local arts agency with the mission to invest in and amplify the arts for the 1.2 million residents across Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church. By offering vital funding, advocacy, and professional opportunities to the local arts sector, ArtsFairfax promotes the arts’ capacity to cultivate community and fuel social and economic growth. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1964, ArtsFairfax is funded in part by the County, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts, as well as corporations, foundations, and individuals.    

About Arlington Arts  
Arlington Cultural Affairs, a Division of Arlington Economic Development, which delivers public activities and programs as Arlington Arts. Our mission is to create, support and promote the arts, connecting artists and our community to reflect the diversity of Arlington.  

About Alexandria Office of the Arts  
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities promotes the value of arts and culture in Alexandria by nurturing, investing in and celebrating the creative contributions of artists and arts organizations through the Office of the Arts division. By engaging the community, encouraging participation, and facilitating access to the arts, RPCA works with local artists and arts organizations to build a vibrant community for all of the City’s residents, workers and visitors. Within the division, the Events and Public Space Activation team strengthens and builds the social fabric of Alexandria.   

About New York Foundation for the Arts
Established in 1971, the mission of the NYFA is to empower artists in all disciplines, as well as cultural workers, to achieve success on their own terms by providing critical support, resources, and opportunities. This workshop series is part of NYFA Learning, NYFA’s global professional development programming that provides artists and creatives the information, resources, and community they need to meet their career goals.   

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