FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 4, 2026
CONTACT:
Virginia Commission for the Arts
Colleen Dugan Messick, Executive Director
colleen.messick@vca.virginia.gov
RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) is excited to announce that it has been awarded a $77,500 Creative Aging, Creative Futures grant – a joint initiative of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy. The VCA is proud to be among 28 state arts agencies selected nationwide for this award, which supports the expansion of high-quality creative aging programs for older adults.
As part of this effort, the VCA forges a new partnership with fellow state agency, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), to advance shared goals in creative aging programming for older Virginians. Through this collaboration, the VCA will be able to leverage state-wide data on aging, gain content area expertise, and connect with an established network of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) across the Commonwealth.
“Creative aging changes lives and DARS is proud to partner with VCA. Older Virginians will not only engage in the arts, they’ll also create works that inspire others, sparking a ripple effect of joy and connection” – Kiersten Ware, Deputy Commissioner, Aging Services, DARS
The VCA will also partner with arts service provider, ArtsConnect Virginia (formerly Tidewater Arts Outreach), which will lead creative aging programming at Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) across the Commonwealth. Guided by its mission to bring joy, enhance well-being, and foster lifelong learning for older and isolated adults, ArtsConnect Virginia brings deep expertise to this initiative. “ArtsConnect Virginia brings over 20 years of experience delivering arts interventions that improve the lives of older adults. This collaboration fuels our commitment to creative aging. Centering older adults in arts and culture work is essential, and this effort helps move that goal forward.” – Kate Powell, Executive Director, ArtsConnect Virginia
“Through this special funding and newly cultivated partnerships, the VCA is committed to increasing arts access for older adults, fostering meaningful connections, and providing professional development opportunities for artists across the Commonwealth,” says VCA Executive Director, Colleen Dugan Messick. In alignment with the VCA’s 2025-2028 strategic plan priorities, this initiative will bridge the gap between the wealth of resources and expertise offered by our national partners, fellow state agencies, and the arts sector – positioning the VCA as both an advocate and a connector for creative aging in Virginia.
About the Virginia Commission for the Arts
Established in 1968, the Virginia Commission for the Arts 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, the Commission awards grants to artists, arts organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, educators, and local and tribal governments.
For more information, visit www.vca.virginia.gov. Follow the Commission on Instagram @virginiaarts, Facebook @VirginiaArts, and LinkedIn at Virginia Commission for the Arts, and subscribe to the Virginia Commission for the Arts newsletter.