For over 40 years, the City of Alexandria has provided arts grants to numerous arts organizations, artists, and service providers to ensure that all residents of Alexandria have access to quality arts experiences in their community. The Office of the Arts staff are stewards of the Arts Grant program.
Annually, a Grant Task Force is established, comprised of Arts Commissioners, arts administrators, and grant professionals. The Task Force reviews and scores the eligible grant applications. The amount of grant funding is based on the annual budget. Please be sure to review the grant application and guidelines carefully before applying.
The Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Arts Program grant will launch on Monday, January 26, 2026. Annual Arts Programs occurring between July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 will be considered for funding.
Grant Program Goals
Ensure that Alexandria residents have access to high-quality and diverse artistic programs that demonstrate excellence and strengthen the city’s cultural vitality.
Promote inclusive, equitable, and community-responsive arts programming throughout the city.
Support organizations that demonstrate effective financial and organizational management by implementing realistic, mission-focused programs and leveraging qualified leadership to achieve program goals while sustaining the health and well-being of the organization.
Best Practices in Grantmaking
The Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Arts Program Grant follows best practices in grantmaking ensures fairness, transparency, and effectiveness. These best practices help with the allocation of resources responsibly, build trust, reduce risk, and maximize the positive impact of the grant program. Review the best practices here.
About the Grants Program
Eligibility Requirements
Before you begin the application, review the Frequently Asked Questions and Guidelines.
Note: City agencies, employees, or volunteers (defined as any agency under the direct control of an elected official, or which reports directly to the City Manager), MAY NOT apply for an Arts Grant; they may only play a supportive role in a program proposed by an organization or group.
Grant Webinar Opportunities
The Office of the Arts will conduct a series of grant webinars to assist interested applicants navigate the Foundant online grant management program and to prepare their grant applications.
All new applicants - arts organizations and artist(s) - along with applicants who have not applied using the Foundant online grant program ARE REQUIRED to attend one of the grant webinars. If they did not attend, they are considered as ineligible. If applicants are not able to attend a webinar, they MUST set up an appointment to receive a one-on-one training. Appointments can be made by emailing arts@alexandriva.gov. Due to changes in the granting process, other applicants were urged to attend these free workshops and webinars.
Grant webinars are held on the following dates/times:
- Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 5 p.m.
- Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 10 a.m.
- Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 1 p.m.
- Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 4 p.m.
Webinars are held virtually on Microsoft Teams. To request a webinar link, email arts@alexandriava.gov. With the request, state the date and time of the webinar you wish to attend along with the name and email address for the person who will be attending.
If you have any further questions about the Arts Program Grant or any other programs and services of the Office of the Arts, email: arts@alexandriava.gov.
Key Dates for the Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Arts Program Grant Cycle
Monday, January 26: Online Grant Opens
Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m.: Submission Deadline
Monday, March 30 through Thursday, April 2: Staff Review
Friday, April 3 through Monday, May 4: Grant Task Force Meeting Review of Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Arts Program Grants
Week of May 11: Grant Task Force meeting held for Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Arts Program Grants
Tuesday, May 19: Arts Commissioners review of staff recommendations Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Arts Program
How to Apply
The online grants portal will be live on Monday, January 26, 2026. Online applications will be due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026. MAILED OR HAND-DELIVERED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this policy.
- Applications are accepted from 501(c) 3 nonprofit arts organizations.
- Grants made through this category are up to $12,500 and shall not exceed 50% of total program budget; a cash match 1:1 is required.
- Organizations may apply for only one arts program grant per grant cycle.
Program grants support an ongoing or short-term arts program performed or presented in the City of Alexandria to substantially engage or benefit the residents of the City of Alexandria.
NOTE: To save time and minimize errors, applicants are urged to review the preview application and budget forms before completing the online submission form. Applicants should consider using a WORD document to compose their responses to grant questions and when ready, cut and paste the drafted responses into the online application form.
Online Grant Application Form
Check back soon for a PDF of the grant application.
Check back soon for the online application.
NOTE: To save time and minimize errors, applicants are urged to review the preview application and budget forms before completing the online submission form. Applicants should consider using a Word document to compose their responses to grant questions and when ready, cut and paste the drafted responses into the online application form.
Applicant Funding, Reporting and Responsibilities
- Applicants must secure a cash match at a dollar-to-dollar (1:1) ratio
- Example: A 501(c) 3 nonprofit arts organization is awarded $5,000 from the City of Alexandria for a program that is estimated to cost $12,000. The program now has $10,000 in funding—$5,000 from the city and $5,000 that must be raised by the organization as a "match."
- Acceptable "match" funds may include but are not limited to:
- Donations from individuals
- Ticket sales
- General operating budget
- Foundation support
- The arts organization must indicate on the final report how it raised the "match" of $5,000 and the sources of the funds.
- Example: "$2,000 from ticket sales and $3,000 from donations from individuals."
- No in-kind donations of volunteer time, goods, or services can be applied towards the match. The cash match must be met prior to submitting a Final Report, but no later than June 15, 2027.
Other funding from the City of Alexandria such as, but not limited to, the Alexandria City Public Schools, Department of Community and Human Services and other City Departments, cannot be used for the cash match.
Responsibilities
THE GRANT CONTRACT: The approved application form represents an agreement between the City of Alexandria and the applicant. The applicant will comply with all conditions set forth in the application form and any other documents furnished to the applicant related to the grant. Every recipient of a grant is required to respond in a timely manner to all requests for information required by the Office.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT: All grant recipients are required to credit the City of Alexandria in all appropriate printed public relations materials relating to activities supported by the Arts Program Grant.
PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL ARTS STUDIES: During the grant period, the Office of the Arts may request grantees to participate in local, regional, or national arts studies. The studies may be related to, but are not limited to audience spending, organization management, or facility usage. Grantees are required to assist the Office of the Arts by completing these studies.
FINAL REPORTS: At the completion of the project a Final Report is required. Grant recipients must submit a final report 30 days after the completion of the project/activities, but no later than June 15 of each year.
ARTS AND CULTURE PLAN: All grantees must submit program performance information as part of their request for funding in Fiscal Year 2027, and an articulation of how they advance the goals of the Arts and Culture Plan for the City of Alexandria.
Process
Application Submission
- The grant application is the document upon which recommendations and decisions to award financial support will be made. The application consists of:
- a completed application form, with appropriate attachments, signed by a representative of the organization/individual authorized to act on behalf of the applicant.
- work samples and documentation of previous arts activities.
Definitions/Terms for Grant Program
To provide clarity and assist grant applicants with completing the application, you are encouraged to review the Definitions/Terms for Grant Program document.
Staff Review
Office of the Arts staff reviews each application for completeness and eligibility. The Office of the Arts staff then prepares all eligible applications for review by the Grant Taskforce.
Grants Task Force
A Grants Taskforce—comprised of Arts Commissioners, artists, community members, and patrons—review all relevant applications submitted for review by the Office of the Arts and completes a standardized scoring sheet for each application. The Grants Taskforce will meet to discuss and finalize their recommendation for funding consideration. This meeting will be held virtually and is open to the public. Applicants are invited but are not required to attend the Grants Taskforce meeting. The Office of the Arts staff facilitates the Grants Taskforce meeting.
Funding Guidance
Check back soon for a PDF of the grant application.
Check back soon for the online application.
NOTE: To save time and minimize errors, applicants are urged to review the preview application and budget forms before completing the online submission form. Applicants should consider using a Word document to compose their responses to grant questions and when ready, cut and paste the drafted responses into the online application form.
The Grants Taskforce does not provide a funding allocation, but rather scores each application utilizing the criteria rubrics. Scores received by Grants Taskforce are considered final. Funds are awarded to applicants are based on the percentage of scores as the formula. Applications scoring below 75% will not be recommended for funding.
Changes to Programs/Activities
Applicants are required to notify the Office of the Arts of any additional substantial changes in its program(s) and other activities in writing prior to such a change that represents a reduction or reductions in the organization's program(s), project(s), and other activities. The requested changes must be approved in advance by the Office of the Arts.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are reviewed by a Grants Task Force comprised of Arts Commissioners and arts professionals from throughout the region. The Task Force evaluates each application based on the following criteria:
- 45% of overall score: Artistic excellence and quality of the proposed program or project.
- 35% of overall score: Impact and engagement of the residents of the City of Alexandria.
- 20% of overall score: Management and budget assesses the applicant’s ability to implement the program or project with fiscal responsibility, realistic financial goals, and strategic planning.
The Grants Taskforce evaluates each application based on the guidelines and criteria specific outlined in the score sheet for the Arts Program Grant: Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Arts Program Grant Score Sheet (link here)
Information or Assistance
If you have questions about the City's Arts Program Grant, please review the Frequently Asked Questions and Guidelines document. If applicants have additional questions, need assistance, or wish to inquire about available webinars, please email arts@alexandriava.gov.
If reasonable accommodation is needed, please call Cheryl Anne Colton, Regional Program Director at 703.746.5565; TTY 703.838.4902.
Fiscal Years and Grants
The City of Alexandria’s Annual Arts Program is designed to support artistic excellence in the city by assisting arts and nonprofit organizations to provide affordable local artists with opportunities to create, perform, and present their works. Each year, approximately $242,000 in City and State funds are awarded based on a competitive grant evaluation process and require a 1:1 cash match from the applicant.
Fiscal Year 2026 Grant Awards
The Alexandria Office of the Arts and the Alexandria Commission for the Arts join everyone in Alexandria in congratulating the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Arts Program grantees. Throughout the year, Alexandrians are enriched by the works of these groups and many other arts groups in the city.
Grantees by Arts Disciplines:
- Choral: 18%
- Dance: 11%
- Film: 4%
- Instrumental: 26%
- Theatre: 26%
- Visual Arts: 15%
- Total: 100%
Congratulations to the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Arts Program Grantees:
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra*
American Showcase Theatre/MetroStage*
Armed Services Arts Partnership*
Encore Creativity Corporation*
Ethiopian Community Support and Advocacy Center
Helping Hearts Through the Arts*
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association*
Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia*
UpCycle Creative Reuse Center*
Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra*
*Grantees who received a portion of the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ Creative Community Partnership Grant.
Fiscal Year 2025 Grant Awards
The Alexandria Commission for the Arts and the Office of the Arts joins everyone in Alexandria in congratulating the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Arts Program grantees. Throughout the year, Alexandrians are enriched by the works of these groups and many other arts groups in the city.
Grantees by Arts Disciplines:
- Choral: 18%
- Dance: 4%
- Film: 4%
- Instrumental: 30%
- Theatre: 26%
- Visual Arts: 18%
- Total: 100%
Key Performance Indicators:
- Artists Hired/Engaged: 2,883
- Engagements/Occurrences: 1,856
- Programming Hours: 9,698
- Audience: 45,588
Congratulations to the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Arts Program Grantees:
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra*
American Showcase Theatre, Co. Inc. DBA MetroStage*
Armed Services Arts Partnership
Encore Creativity for Older Adults*
Helping Hearts Through the Arts*
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association*
Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia*
UpCycle Creative Reuse Center*
Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra*
Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra*
*Grantees who received a portion of the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ Creative Community Partnership Grant.
275th Commemorative Program Awards funded through a National Endowment for the Arts and the City of Alexandria, VA.
Grantees by Arts Disciplines:
- Dance: 23%
- Film: 8%
- Instrumental: 23%
- Museum: 15%
- Theatre: 8%
- Visual Arts: 23%
Key Performance Indicators:
- Artists Hired/Engaged: 241
- Engagements/Occurrences: 5,137
- Programming Hours: 537
- Audience: 23,818
Alexandria Citizens Band, October 12, November 16, and, December 14, Concert Series “Live and Local 2024!,” Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center, 25 W Reed Avenue.
Alexandria Film Festival, November 7-10, “The Arc of Oblivion,” a feature documentary by filmmaker Ian Cheney and executive produced by Werner Herzog. The film explores a fundamental question: what is worth saving? Lyceum, 201 S Washington Street.
Chamber Dance Project, October 8, Chamber Dance Project Dance Concert, Lyceum, 201 S Washington Street.
Del Ray Artisans, October 12, “Chirilagua Neighborhood Arts Day,” Four Mile Run Conservatory, 4109 Mt. Vernon Avenue.
DMV Petri Dish, Maker Faire, October 20, Alexandria City High School, King Street.
Gadsby's Tavern Museum Society, Lafayette 200: As part of Alexandria’s 275th anniversary, the City of Alexandria in partnership with the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society.
Jane Franklin Dance Company, September 26 and September 27, “Moving Stories,” Lloyd House Gardens, 220 N Washington Street
Local Motion Project, October 12, and October 13, “Threads: An evening with the LMP Collective." Coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month, Oswald Durant Center, 1605 Cameron Street.
Momentum Collective, Inc., October 18, October 19, “85th Alexandria Library Sit-in Anniversary Concert Series,” two-day concert series celebrating the rich African American history in the city of Alexandria, Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street.
Mortar & Pestle Society, City Photography Exhibition, As part of Alexandria’s 275th anniversary, the city will be photographed for use in a new, inclusive guidebook.
NOVA Labs, Maker Faire, October 20, Alexandria City High School, 3330 King Street.
Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra, March 29, Encore Performance, "Drums Around the World" Featuring Tom Teasley, world music percussionist and Music by Munit Mesfin, Ethiopian-American singer and songwriter, with special guests Ethiopian Dancers from the Ethiopian Community Support & Advocacy Center. Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Avenue
Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra, Bilingual Family Friendly Concerts Series: September 21, and November 16, bilingual narration in both English and Spanish. Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Avenue
Arts Enrichment Program for Youth funded by the American Rescue Fund Program.
Grantees by Arts Disciplines:
- Dance: 25%
- Theatre: 25%
- Visual Arts: 50%
Key Performance Indicators:
- Artists Hired/Engaged: 25
- Engagements/Occurrences: 96
- Programming Hours: 192
- Youth Reached: 215
- Audience: 230
The Alexandria Office of the Arts collaborated with the Recreation Services Division to create a new Grant Program. Grantees Awards and Out of School Time Locations:
Encore Stage and Studio, Inc., Charles Barrett Recreation Center and Chick Armstrong Recreation Center
Fabiana Cesa, Charles Houston Recreation Center and John Adams Recreation Center
Jane Franklin Dance Company, Charles Houston Recreation Center and Douglas MacArthur Recreation Center
Upcycle Creative Reuse Center, William Ramsay Recreation Center and Mt. Vernon Recreation Center
Archive
The City of Alexandria’s Annual Arts Program is designed to support artistic excellence in the city by assisting arts and nonprofit organizations to provide affordable local artists with opportunities to create, perform, and present their works. Each year, approximately $170,000 in City funds are awarded on the basis of a competitive grant evaluation process and require a 1:1 cash match from the applicant.
Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Arts Program Grant
The Alexandria Commission for the Arts and the Office of the Arts join everyone in Alexandria in congratulating the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Arts Program grantees. Throughout the year, Alexandrians are enriched by the works of these groups and many other arts groups in the city.
Congratulations to the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Arts Program Grantees:
Armed Services Arts Partnership
Ethiopian Community Support and Advocacy Center
