Operating Support Grants

Emergency Planning for Arts Organizations Workshop Registration

If you need accommodations or support to participate in the information session, such as ASL interpretation or closed captioning, please email hcagle@artsfairfax.org

Grant Programs Overview and Timeline

Grant Program	Description of grant program	Grant Information Session date	Application deadline	Grant Panel Date(s)	Announcement
AIR Grant	Supports arts organizations, performances, and installations in unconventional spaces, partnerships with Fairfax artists/artist cooperatives/non-501-c-3 groups, and arts activities in underserved areas of the county.	ArtsFairfax is assessing needs and resources for FY23	-	-	-
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 FY23	-	-	-
Operating Support	Fund arts organizations’ basic operational needs.	March 3, 2022	April 14, 2022	May 11-13, 2022	August 2022
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 FY23	-	-	-
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 FY23	August 5th, 2022	September 7-8, 2022	October 2022
Organizational and Professional Development	Fund activities that improve organizational management.	ArtsFairfax is assessing needs and resources for FY23	-	–	–
Artist Grant	Recognize individual artists for outstanding accomplishments	ArtsFairfax is assessing needs and resources for FY23	-	–	–
Fairfax Poet Laureate	This award is both a high honor and a community outreach program to showcase poetry and the literary arts.	June 15, 2022	July 30, 2022	August 17, 2022	September 2022

Register for Workshop Here

If you need accommodations or support to participate in the information session, such as ASL interpretation or closed captioning, please email hcagle@artsfairfax.org

Project Support Grant information session

June 22, 2022 at noon

If you need accommodations or support to participate in the information session, such as ASL interpretation or closed captioning, please email hcagle@artsfairfax.org

Fairfax Poet Laureate Information Session

Zoom webinar will start at 12:00 PM on June 15, 2022

If you need accommodations or support to participate in the information session, such as ASL interpretation or closed captioning, please email hcagle@artsfairfax.org

Grants Financial Webinar

Grant Information Session

Capital One Hall Registration

Request to host the Fairfax Poet Laureate

The Fairfax Poet Laureate is available for visits to schools, libraries, community events, readings, workshops, conferences, and more. Requests must be made at least one month in advance. Emails and phone call requests will not be accepted.

Shona D’Cruz

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.

www.bluehyacinthmosaics.com

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.

Step 3: Determining if the property works for you

Download Interim Arts Use | Property Checklist

Step 6: Creating your Budget

Download Budget Worksheet Template

Step 5: Who can help?

Refer to Toolkit page #19 to learn more about who can assist and provide guidance during this process.

Step 4: Permitting 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.

Step 2: Making the case to an owner

1. A compelling case for the need and community benefits for your interim arts space project will help sell your request for space use. Be clear about your mission, proposed program, audience participation level, and community impact. When approaching property owners, funders, and elected officials, refer to Toolkit page #3 for key points to discuss.
2. Craft and circulate a brief proposal using the parameters identified above. Include all the potential benefits and indicate whether there is a modest budget for rent, or if the space must be donated. Send this proposal directly to key contacts with a cover note that articulates what you are requesting from the recipient.

Step 1: Finding a space

Leverage existing contacts including board members, audience members, volunteers, business owners and vendors, friends and neighbors, funders, and even elected officials. Learn more in the “Finding A Space” section of the toolkit.
If you see a vacant property that you think is a great fit for your arts activation, search the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration for the property owner: https://icare.fairfaxcounty.gov/ffxcare/search/CommonSearch.aspx?mode=ADDRESS
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority has access to Costar to help you identify vacant properties. See Toolkit page #19, Important Contacts
Local Chamber of Commerce
Loopnet.com

Katherine Zukeri

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 Phinizy

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 Nartey

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 Song

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.

Ken Avis

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!

Tom Teasley

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.

Tammarrah Addison

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.

Kelly King

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.

A War Untold

Karan Bansal

Information & Technology Manager

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.

Brenda MacRoberts

Director of Development & Operations

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.

Danielle Stoebe

Arts Education Program Manager

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.

Nationally

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.

Find Your Representative

At the State

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.

Find Your Representative

In Fairfax County

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.

Read the Complete Survey

Find Your Representative

Be the Voice for 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.

Know Your Facts

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

How You Make a Difference

One voice has considerable strength, especially when expressed collectively. Educating and advocating for the arts can occur through many ways:

In public forms including candidate rallies, composing emails and letters, attending official government meetings and offering testimony.
Interacting with decision-makers and their staff.
Inviting elected officials to programs or events and providing a private tour.

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:

Planning (strategic planning, fundraising plans, communications, growth opportunity, or business planning)
Board Development (Board Training, Governance Structure, Board Engagement Strategies)
Feasibility Studies
Marketing (plans or campaigns)
Strategic Relationships (mergers, partnerships)
Internal Operations (Financial management, websites)

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:

Financial management training
Program evaluation
Communications, marketing and rebranding
Professional development training or conferences
Facilitation of a board retreat
Upgrading technology, including new computers, website upgrades and design, and software

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.