ArtsFairfax Grants Recognize Local Efforts in Arts Accessibility and Pandemic Resilience
Fairfax, VA (April 5, 2023) – Thanks to the generosity of Fairfax County and its Board of Supervisors, ArtsFairfax today announces 29 nonprofit arts organizations as recipients of the ArtsFairfax Pandemic Recovery Grant.
A total of $250,000 was allocated by the County for grants distribution to the arts sector in response to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To administer these funds, ArtsFairfax established three unique grant opportunities:
- Arts Access Project Support Grants to strengthen arts engagement and allocation of resources to underserved and economically disadvantaged communities and districts,
- Pandemic Recovery Grants for small and mid-size arts organizations (budgets under $500,00) as they build resilience and look to the future with programming, planning, and reimagining their work, and
- Ticket Subsidy Grants to fund free and reduced-price tickets and transportation for performances, workshops, classes, and camps for people who may not have regular opportunities to experience the arts.
The Pandemic Recovery Grant prioritized, but was not limited to, organizations that had not received County recovery funds previously; centered its work on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color as determined by mission, leadership, or community served; and organizations that serve participants and audiences in economically disadvantaged areas of the County.
Pandemic Recovery Grant Applications were reviewed by a distinguished group of panelists with arts and administrative expertise over a series of three panels open to applicants via livestream.
FY2023 ArtsFairfax Pandemic Recovery Grants by the Numbers
$115,000 awarded to 29 recipients
23 with BIPOC, woman and/or veteran leadership
10 first time receiving pandemic relief funding
4 first time ArtsFairfax Grant applicants
FY2023 ArtsFairfax Pandemic Recovery Grant Recipients
| Amadeus Concerts | Dranesville | Instrumental Music |
| Artisans United, Inc. | Mason | Visual Arts |
| Artists in Motion, Inc. | Dranesville | Dance |
| Arts Herndon, Inc | Dranesville | Multidisciplinary |
| Brass Band of Northern Virginia | Springfield | Instrumental Music |
| Chinese Culture Institute, Inc | Mason | Arts Education |
| City of Fairfax Band Association, Inc. | City of Fairfax | Instrumental Music |
| Community Art for Everyone Inc. | City of Fairfax | Visual Arts |
| Fairfax Jubil-Aires | Springfield | Vocal Music/Opera |
| Falls Church Arts, inc. | City of Falls Church | Visual Arts |
| Gin Dance Company | Hunter Mill | Dance |
| Mosaic Harmony | Providence | Vocal Music/Opera |
| Music for Life | Braddock | Instrumental Music |
| New Dominion Chorale | Dranesville | Vocal Music/Opera |
| Northern Virginia Chorale | Braddock | Vocal Music/Opera |
| NoVA Lights Chorale, Inc. | Mason | Vocal Music/Opera |
| Novasian Chorus, Inc. | Sully | Vocal Music/Opera |
| Public Art Reston | Hunter Mill | Visual Arts |
| Reston Community Orchestra | Dranesville | Instrumental Music |
| The Choralis Foundation | Providence | Vocal Music/Opera |
| The Fairfax Art League | City of Fairfax | Visual Arts |
| The Reston Chorale | Hunter Mill | Vocal Music/Opera |
| Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation | City of Falls Church | Multidisciplinary |
| Vietnamese Literary and Artistic Club of the Metropolitan Area | City of Fairfax | Multidisciplinary |
| Virginia Bronze Handbell Ringers of Northern Virginia | Franconia (Lee) | Instrumental Music |
| Virginia Chamber Orchestra | Dranesville | Instrumental Music |
| Virginia Winds Academy, Inc. | Springfield | Arts Education |
| Wartists, Inc | City of Falls Church | Visual Arts |
| Washington West Film Festival | Hunter Mill | Film |
Project Support Grants were awarded in October of 2022 with $50,000 distributed in the Arts Access category, which recognized arts programming opportunities that reduce the costs of or distance to high quality arts experiences in communities where limited arts access has been documented.
Remaining funds will be distributed via Ticket Subsidy Grants, awarded up to $5,000 each, to fund free and reduced-price tickets for performances, workshops, classes, and camps for people who may not have regular opportunities to experience the arts. In partnership with the County Department of Transportation, Ticket Subsidy Grant recipients can also take advantage of free transportation services for their subsidized ticketholders.
ArtsFairfax is currently accepting applications for both Ticket Subsidy Grants (accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended) and Operating Support Grants. For more information about ArtsFairfax Grants, visit ArtsFairfax.org/grants.
About ArtsFairfax
ArtsFairfax is the nonprofit designated as Fairfax County’s local arts agency. Dedicated to the belief that arts are essential to a thriving community, the ArtsFairfax mission is to expand support for and access to arts and culture opportunities for Fairfax County’s more than 1.2 million residents. By offering informational, financial, and programmatic services, ArtsFairfax promotes the role of arts and culture to deepen social engagement, create a sense of place, and fuel economic growth. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) since 1964, ArtsFairfax provides these services to all who contribute to and experience arts in Fairfax County, and is funded in part by the County, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as corporations, foundations, and individuals.
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