Virginia Commission for the Arts

Artist Fellowships

Artist Fellowships

Artist Fellowships

A limited number of fellowships are available to professional creative artists living in Virginia. Funding in this category is highly competitive. Specific arts disciplines are eligible for support each year on a rotating basis, depending upon the amount of state funding available to the Commission. Artists should confirm with Commission staff the select disciplines each year. 

Purpose

To recognize the creative excellence of individual Virginia artists and support their pursuit of artistic excellence.

Description

A limited number of Artist Fellowships are available to professional creative artists living in Virginia. Funding in this category is highly competitive. Specific arts disciplines are eligible for support each year on a rotating basis, depending upon the amount of state funding available to the Commission.

Eligible Applicants

  • A legal resident who possesses a valid Virginia driver’s license and/or pays income taxes in Virginia and/or is a registered Virginia voter
  • Artists who plan to remain a Virginia resident during the grant period
  • Artists who are 18 years of age or older at the time of application

NOTE

Artists may receive only one Artist Fellowship from the Commission within any four-year period

Application Deadline

October 1, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. EST

Discipline

The discipline for FY25 will be announced by summer 2024.

Assistance Amount

A limited number of artists will be awarded Artist Fellowships of up to $5,000 each. Artists are not required to provide matching funds.

Criteria for Evaluating Applications

The Virginia Commission for the Arts is interested in innovative and impactful artistic practice that connects with the citizens of the Commonwealth, to include:

Artistic Excellence – Consistent quality of the artist’s work

Professionalism – Applicant’s record of professional arts activity and achievement as reflected in the application

Fellowship Impact – Potential for the Artist Fellowship to significantly advance the artist’s career

Required Attachments

Attachments will vary and depend upon the selected discipline but generally follow this outline:

  • Artist statement
  • Artist biography
  • Fellowship impact statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Artistic work samples

Application/Review/Payment Process

  1. Applicants must complete and submit the online application to the Commission by the deadline.
  2. The Commission staff reviews each application for completeness and eligibility. Incomplete or ineligible applications will not be reviewed and will be returned to the applicant with an explanation.
  3. Commission staff forwards applications to members of the statewide, multi-disciplinary Advisory Panel to review prior to the Advisory Panel screening session.
  4. The Advisory Panel meets with two members of the Commission staff. Commissioners attend Advisory Panel screening sessions as silent observers. The Advisory Panel makes its recommendations after group discussion.
  5. The Commission Board then reviews the recommendations of the Advisory Panel and staff and takes final action on the applications.
  6. Applicants are notified of Commission action by email following vote at the Commission Board meeting and pending enactment of the fiscal year budget per the General Assembly.
  7. Artist Fellowship awards are made mid-January 2025. Awards are reported as taxable income.

CONTACT

For any questions about the Artist Fellowships, contact:

Lorraine Crilley

Artist Engagement Coordinator
lorraine.crilley@vca.virginia.gov

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