Virginia Commission for the Arts Awards More Than 500 FY27 Grants and Expands the Small and Rural Arts Network (SARA) to Strengthen Virginia’s Creative Economy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 19, 2026

CONTACT:
Virginia Commission for the Arts
Colleen Dugan Messick, Executive Director
colleen.messick@vca.virginia.gov

Richmond Ballet Dancers In Goat Rodeo Photo By Sarah Ferguson

Richmond Ballet dancers in Goat Rodeo by Val Caniparoli | Photo by Sarah Ferguson

RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) has awarded more than 500 grants to date for fiscal year 2027 (FY27), supporting arts organizations, artists, local governments, community-based projects, and creative initiatives across the Commonwealth.

These investments are made possible by funding from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Awards include 400 grants totaling more than $5.6 million through four of VCA’s primary grant programs: 173 General Operating Support Grants, 80 Operating Support for Small Arts Organizations Grants, 109 Creative Communities Partnership Grants, and 38 Community Impact Grants. More than 100 additional FY27 rolling grants have been awarded to date through Virginia Touring Grants, Arts in Practice Grants, Capacity Building Grants, Accessibility Microgrants, and Lifelong Learning Grants.

Supported in part by a $2 million one-time state appropriation, as well as interest generated by the Virginia Arts Fund, which is supported by proceeds from Virginia specialty arts license plate and state tax check-offs for the arts, FY27 investments have enabled the VCA to strengthen longstanding programs, increase grant amounts, introduce new funding opportunities, and broaden access to state arts support.

“The additional investment in FY27 has given VCA an important opportunity to deepen support for the arts while expanding who and where we reach,” said VCA Board Chair Debbie Garrett. “As someone from a small, rural community, I know how meaningful it is when state resources and opportunities reach places where access may be more limited. With VCA-supported arts activity now reaching 132 of Virginia’s 133 independent cities and counties, we are close to achieving statewide reach. This progress reflects the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to serving communities of every size.”

FY27 Investment Highlights

Demand for VCA support has increased, with 406 applications requesting more than $14.1 million through the four primary grant programs.

173 General Operating Support Grants — $4,719,663
VCA’s largest grant program reached its highest applicant count and request level in three years. Increased FY27 funding raised the minimum grant from $3,500 to $5,000 and increased award percentages for eligible organizations.
80 Operating Support for Small Arts Organizations Grants — $275,000
FY27 awards increased from $2,500 to $3,000 or $4,000 based on organizational income, strengthening flexible operating support for smaller nonprofit arts organizations.

109 Creative Communities Partnership Grants — $476,014
Through partnerships with local and tribal governments, VCA funding is paired with more than $5.18 million in proposed local government arts support, approximately $10.88 in local investment for every $1 in VCA funding.
38 Community Impact Grants — $162,050
These grants support community-centered arts projects across all eight VCA regions, particularly projects reaching communities that are underserved, under-resourced, or underrepresented.

A complete list of FY27 VCA grant awards to date is available at vca.virginia.gov/general-resources.

VCA Expands Successful Small and Rural Arts Network (SARA) Pilot

To serve the unique needs and challenges of Virginia’s rural and micropolitan communities, the VCA launched the Small and Rural Arts Network (SARA) through a special grant awarded to Small Town/Big Arts and Randolph College. The six-month pilot took place in Region 8 under the leadership of Geoffrey Kershner, with focused engagement in Halifax, Mecklenburg, Charlotte, and Lunenburg counties, areas with minimal VCA grantee presence.

“The first year of SARA reinforced something we hear consistently from small and rural communities: meaningful support starts with listening, building relationships, and recognizing that every community has its own strengths and needs,” said VCA Executive Director Colleen Dugan Messick. “We are grateful for the strong partnership with Small Town/Big Arts and Randolph College that has made this work possible. In Year Two, Regional Captains will help us build stronger connections among artists and arts leaders across rural Virginia and create a network that can support these communities for years to come.”

Building on the momentum of the pilot, SARA’s second year launches this month in Regions 1 and 3. The program will include two in-person workshops in each region, statewide virtual meetings every other month, and a new statewide network of Regional Captains, with one representing each VCA region, to help connect rural artists, arts organizers, and arts organizations within their communities and to the broader SARA network.

SARA is currently accepting Regional Captain candidates through Monday, August 24, 2026. Regional Captains will receive a $1,000 stipend and serve a two-year term. To nominate a candidate, email Geoffrey Kershner at gkershner@smalltownbigarts.com with the nominee’s name, region, and one to two sentences about why that person would be a good fit. Self-nominations are welcome.

To learn more about SARA, visit www.smalltownbigarts.com/about-sara and follow Small Town/Big Arts on Instagram @SmallTownBigArts and LinkedIn at Small Town/Big Arts.

About the Virginia Commission for the Arts

The Virginia Commission for the Arts, established in 1968, is the state agency dedicated to investing in the arts across the Commonwealth of Virginia. With funding from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, VCA supports Virginia artists, arts organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, educators, and local and tribal governments.

For more information, visit www.vca.virginia.gov. Follow VCA on Instagram @VirginiaArts, Facebook @VirginiaArts, and LinkedIn at Virginia Commission for the Arts, and subscribe to the VCA Newsletter for the latest news, resources, and opportunities.

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