Virginia Commission for the Arts

Virginia Touring Grants

Virginia Touring Grants

Virginia Touring Grants

This grant program supports touring by Virginia performing artists and ensembles within the state. The touring activities are restricted to those listed in the Commission’s annual Touring Artist Roster. Any nonprofit organization meeting the Basic Eligibility criteria can apply to receive a touring assistance grant to support these activities.

Purpose

To expand access to high-quality arts performances throughout Virginia.

Description

Virginia Touring Grants help ensure that Virginians have access to dynamic and engaging performances. These grants support in-state touring by reimbursing eligible organizations up to 50 percent of the performance fees when showcasing artists from the VCA Touring Artist Roster. VCA Touring Artists book performances with Virginia Presenters that take place at least 30 miles from the Artist’s home base. This long-standing program broadens the reach of the arts and creates new opportunities for Virginia artists, arts organizations, and audiences throughout the state.

Eligible Applicants

  • Virginia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Virginia units of local and tribal governments (including libraries, departments of parks and recreation, correctional facilities, etc.)
  • Virginia federally tax-exempt schools (public, public charter, private, alternative, special education schools, homeschools, career and technical centers, colleges, and universities)

Eligibility Requirements

  • Meets the basic eligibility requirements as listed on page 9 of the FY26 Guidelines for Funding
  • All programming must take place in Virginia ADA-compliant facilities
  • Must not be under current debarment or suspension from federal funding
  • Must have no past due Final Reports to the VCA at the time of application

Eligible Activities

  • Programs taking place in Virginia between July 1, 2025 – June 15, 2026
  • Programs listed in the Touring Artist Roster which take place at least 30 miles from home base of the VCA Touring Artist/Ensemble
  • Programs must be open to the public, and the Presenter must provide community-wide publicity. Elementary and secondary schools, senior living facilities, correctional facilities, and hospitals are exempt from this requirement.

Application Deadline

Virginia Touring Grants are rolling grants that open March 1, 2025. Applicants must apply at least two weeks prior to the activity, and before the deadline of December 1 by 5:00 p.m. EST.

Amount of Assistance

Up to 50 percent of the performance fee for touring programs listed on the Touring Artist Roster, subject to the overall funding limit allocated for each VCA Touring Artist/Ensemble. Virginia Touring Grant awards are made to the Presenter (not to the VCA Touring Artist/Ensemble), who is responsible for compensating the VCA Touring Artist/Ensemble in full. Grant awards are a minimum of $100 and maximum of $7,500 per performance.

Cash Match

Grant awards to organizations must be matched 1:1. For example, if an organization requests $1,000 from VCA, it must have at least $1,000 in cash income from another source (other than state or federal funds) towards the expenses of that same project. Sources of matching funds may include revenue from the project activities such as ticket sales, contributions from foundations or corporations, government support from federal or local sources, or cash from the organization’s own accounts.

Required Attachments

The following forms are provided by the Commission via upload in the online grant application:

  • Signed Certification of Assurances
  • Virginia W-9 Form

Applicants must generate and upload the following documents:

  • Signed contract between the VCA Touring Artist/Ensemble and Presenter
  • IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter

Application/Review/Payment Process

  1. Each December, the Commission posts an online Touring Artist Roster, listing eligible Artists/Ensembles and descriptions of their touring programs for the following July 1 – June 15 touring season.
  2. A Virginia Touring Grant request may not exceed 50 percent of a VCA Touring Artist’s contracted performance fee. Applicants must upload signed contracts with their selected VCA Touring Artist/Ensemble in the application. All negotiations regarding type and schedule of activities, fees, technical needs, and promotional efforts are the responsibility of each VCA Touring Artist/Ensemble and the Presenter, and the resulting arrangements must be included in the contract. Travel, lodging, and all other local fees are the responsibility of the Presenter. Each contract must contain the VCA contingency clause: “This contract is contingent upon receipt of a Virginia Touring Grant award in the amount of $____ from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.”
  3. Applications are made available online March 1. Presenters apply online for
    Virginia Touring Grants, including copies of signed contracts with touring
    artists/ensembles, to the Commission at least two weeks before an event and no
    later than December 1. The Commission staff reviews each application for completeness and eligibility. Incomplete or ineligible applications will not be reviewed, will be returned to the applicant with an explanation, and will not be funded.
  4. Virginia Touring Grants are not automatic and confirmation/grant award letters are generally emailed two weeks after receipt of a completed and approved application.
  5. Presenters must submit a Final Report in Foundant within 30 days after each event. Final Report forms can be found on the applicant’s dashboard. Failure to submit a Final Report by the deadline will impact future funding.
  6. Payment will be made in full approximately 30 days after the receipt of the Final Report.
  7. If any Presenter receiving subsidy for a VCA Touring Artist/Ensemble has actual income in excess of expenses, the Presenter must use these additional funds for other arts activities, and the Commission must approve the use of any of these excess funds up to the amount of the grant.
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