Virginia Commission for the Arts

Happy Juneteenth!

Celebrate with Norfolk Arts and The Chrysler Museum of Art at the "Black Music & Art Celebration" on Saturday, June 20th!

This free event will take place at the historic Attucks Theatre and feature Grammy-winning rapper, wordsmith, and torchbearer for Hip-Hop culture, Mad Skillz and songwriter and co-chair of the Black Music Collective, Torae! Enjoy live performances from VCA Touring Artist Bobby BlackHat, Hot Gumbo Brass Band, Shark City Drum and Dance, Leviticus Gospel Choir, and FORTRESSES. Hear from Teens With a Purpose’s newly named Youth Poet Laureates, engage in Music & The Movement with Delegate Jackie Glass, and meet local artists selected by Nyree Dowdy of the Chrysler Museum to exhibit their work as part of our current Gallery at the Attucks exhibition, "Rhythm of the Stage".

Learn more here: https://chrysler.org/event/black-music-art-celebration/

What an incredible turnout at the VCA Region 1 Meet & Greet in Richmond!

This vibrant gathering brought together a mix of VCA grantees, Roster Artists, and Advisory Panelists, showcasing the remarkable diversity of artistic voices across the Central Virginia region.

Special thanks to for letting us use their incredible event space!

The deadline to apply for the FY28 Teaching and Touring Artist Rosters is less than one month away! Applications are due July 15, 2026 (5:00 p.m. EST).

Are you a teaching or performing artist interested in delivering high-quality workshops, residencies, or performances across Virginia? If so, the VCA's Teaching and Touring Artist Rosters are designed for you!

Learn more and apply here: https://vca.virginia.gov/apply-to-join-the-artist-rosters/

Congrats to Cameron Steele, a 10th grade student at Riverside High School in Leesburg, for winning the 2025–2026 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge with his song “Just Gold!" Cameron will be heading to NYC to debut his piece at a special concert on Monday, June 15, at 7:30 p.m. EST!

🔗 Tune in and watch the nationwide livestream here: https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/musical-theater-songwriting-challenge

Check out this recent NPR News article about the profound benefits of engaging with the arts! A study from University College London found that participating in arts, such as painting or going to the theater, can reduce biological aging at the same rate that physical activity has shown.

🔗 Read the full article here: https://www.vpm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2026-05-12/engaging-with-the-arts-can-slow-biological-aging-study-shows

The VCA invites our Region 1 ‘Central Virginia’ community to an informal gathering on June 16 for refreshments and conversation at Studio Two Three. We look forward to seeing you there!

📅 June 16 | 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
📍 | 109 W 15th St | Richmond, VA 23224

✉️ RSVP by June 5th by emailing [email protected]

Community leaders, artists, and culture workers in the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ (VCA) Region 8: You are invited to join the June Region 8 workshop in the Small Town and Rural Arts network pilot!

Funding and Resources: Making Your Case
📅 June 9 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍 The Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, Farmville, VA
🍽️ Lunch included

🔗 Register via the link below by June 2nd:
https://www.smalltownbigarts.com/sara-events

Join Geoffrey Kershner of Small Town Big Arts, along with funders and community partners from First National Bank, Dominion Energy, Jamerson-Lewis Construction, the Town of South Hill, and the Virginia Commission for the Arts, to explore concrete strategies for resourcing and stewarding community-engaged arts initiatives in rural communities and small towns. You will leave the workshop with an action plan for applying some of the strategies to benefit your own communities in Southside (VCA Region 8).

of South Hill, VA

The VCA requires Final Reports to be submitted no later than June 1, 2026. Final Reports for the following FY26 grant programs are due:

- General Operating Support for Medium and Large Organizations (GOS) PART I
- Operating Support for Small Organizations (OSS) PART I
- Community Impact Grants (taking place before June 1, 2026)
- VA250 Impact Grants (taking place before June 1, 2026)
- Virginia Touring Grants (taking place before June 1, 2026)
- Arts in Practice Grants (taking place before June 1, 2026)

Final Report forms can be found on the applicant’s Foundant dashboard.

Accessibility creates stronger, more welcoming arts communities.

Join Open Door Arts on June 10 for a free virtual webinar introducing the Arts & Culture Self-Assessment and Accessibility Hub.

Learn how your organization can take meaningful steps towards greater accessibility and inclusion.

Register via the link below:
https://form.jotform.com/261245021689154

The VCA is extending a call for artists for the Great American State Fair, taking place June 25 - July 10, 2026, on the National Mall in celebration of the America 250 milestone.

Meridian International Center will be leading the programming for the National Endowment for the Arts’ Arts & Humanities Stage and is currently seeking diverse and dynamic artists and performers. All program expenses—including roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations (approximately 4-5 nights), daily per diem, and local transportation stipend—will be covered. Performers will also receive an honorarium of $300 per day/per person, including travel days.

To be considered for this opportunity, please fill out the Great American State Fair Interest Form by Friday, May 29th!

Interest Form Link: https://airtable.com/applIUsYPOEAyUk6n/pagGRRgvJHyEe9Vpx/form

Have questions? Reach out to [email protected]