Virginia Commission for the Arts

Touring Artist Roster

Touring Artist Roster

Touring Artist Roster

Virginia performing artists and performing arts ensembles. Individual students or organizations whose members are primarily Pre-K-12 or undergraduate college students are not eligible for inclusion in the Touring Artist Roster. 

Purpose

To identify and promote professional Virginia Touring Artists who are committed to showcasing their artistry across the commonwealth.

Description

The VCA Touring Artist Roster is a resource for organizations applying for Virginia Touring Grants or seeking high-quality performing artists. This vetted list encompasses a variety of performing arts disciplines, with each artist recognized for captivating diverse audiences through their programming. Artists awarded inclusion onto the Roster receive an allocation specifically designated for Virginia Touring Grant requests for the upcoming touring season. VCA Touring Artists book engagements with Presenters, who then apply for Virginia Touring Grants. The VCA does not act as a booking agent. Artists are responsible for developing effective marketing strategies and creating promotional materials to build their tours and connect with Presenters.

Eligible Applicants

Virginia-based performing artists and performing arts ensembles.

NOTE: Individual students or organizations whose members are primarily Pre-K-12 or undergraduate college students are not eligible for inclusion in the Touring Artist Roster.

Application Deadline

July 15, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. EST, for the FY27 touring season of July 1, 2026 – June 15, 2027.

Renewals

Current VCA Touring Artists must apply annually to maintain inclusion on the Roster for the following touring season. Applicants are designated to SHORT or LONG form applications based on a three-year cycle and the effective utilization or their touring allocation. VCA Touring Artists must provide updates for their VCA webpage on an annual basis, if applicable.

NOTE: VCA Touring Artist may be removed at the discretion of Commission staff, due to unresponsiveness or inability to utilize their allocation over a two-year touring season.

Allocations

  • Solo/duo performers will generally be recommended for an allocation between $2,000 and $2,500 during their first year on the Touring Artist Roster.
  • Ensembles will generally be recommended for an allocation between $3,000 and $4,000 during their first year on the Touring Artist Roster.
  • Subject to available funding, touring allocations for current VCA Touring Artists/Ensembles may increase or decrease based on their utilization of funds from the previous touring seasons.

Criteria for Evaluating Applications

The Virginia Commission for the Arts is interested in high-quality artists and ensembles that exhibit the following:

  • Artistic Excellence
  • Effective Management and Marketing Strategies
  • Evidence of Presenter Interest
  • Unique contribution to the VCA Touring Artist Roster

Required Attachments

Applicants must generate and upload the following documents:

  • Three recent work samples representative of the artist’s/ensemble’s live performances/programs.
  • Artist and management bios
  • Three documents reflecting Presenter interest
  • Touring history (2024 – 2026)
  • Marketing/promotional sample

Application/Review Process for Inclusion onto the Touring Artist Roster

  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, will be returned to the applicant with an explanation.
  3. Commission staff forwards the application to members of a statewide, multidisciplinary Advisory Panel prior to the Advisory Panel Screening Session.
  4. The Advisory Panel meets with two members of the Commission staff. Commissioners may attend Advisory Panel Screening Session 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 next Commission Board meeting following the Advisory Panel Screening Session.
  7. In December, the Commission will post the 2026-2027 Touring Artist Roster on its website detailing eligible artists, ensembles, and their touring programs. Artists awarded inclusion onto the Touring Artist Roster will contact potential Presenters to secure bookings for the FY27 touring season (July 1, 2026 – June 16, 2027).
  8. The Commission reserves funding for each VCA Touring Artist/Ensemble to book performances with potential Presenters for the FY27 touring season. VCA Touring Artists draft contracts with Presenters, who then apply for Virginia Touring Grants from March 1, 2026, to December 1, 2026.
  9. If a VCA Touring Artist/Ensemble has used all of their original touring allocation, they may encourage Presenters to apply to the Commission’s “waitlist” for performances taking place December 2, 2026, through June 15, 2027. Waitlist applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and available funding is determined on December 1 based upon the by the amount of remaining or unused funds by other VCA Touring Artists/Ensembles. Waitlist applications are due two weeks before the intended performance date and no later than December 1, 2026. It is the responsibility of the VCA Touring Artist/Ensemble to explain that waitlist funding is not guaranteed. VCA Touring Ensembles with allocations of $25,000 or more are ineligible for waitlist funds.
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