The City of Alexandria received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to fund the new Creative Neighborhood Grant program, launching April 15, 2022. This initiative will help energize the local creative community in three Alexandria neighborhoods—Arlandria, the West End and Parker-Gray Old Town.

Managed through the Office of the Arts, this grant is for nonprofits to fund arts programs that will occur between June 1, 2022, through December 15, 2022, in the three target neighborhoods. Online application forms, instructions, and a factsheet for the Creative Neighborhood Grant program is available at www.alexandriava.gov/Arts. Deadline for grant submissions is Friday, May 13, 5 p.m.

Though only nonprofits with 501(c)3 status can apply for the funds, individuals or community groups with promising ideas are encouraged to get involved, too. There will be a series of open-house matchmaking sessions, informational grant webinars, and hands-on grant-writing workshops.  

Copies of the outreach flyers are available in English , Amharic or Spanish .  If you need further assistance email arts@alexandriava.gov. 

Want to learn more about the Creative Neighborhood Grant Program?  The Creative Neighborhood Grant Program is a new grant, so all potential applicants are encouraged to attend an Informational Grant Webinar (Virtual):

• Tuesday, April 19, 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 20, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, April 21, 10 a.m.
• Thursday, April 21, 7 p.m.

If you are unable to attend an informational/grant workshop, and you wish to learn more about the program, and wish to explore potential arts projects, please email arts@alexandriava.gov for a one-on-one appointment. 

Need assistance writing a grant?
Attend a Hands-On Grant-Writing Workshops (In-Person):    

• Tuesday, April 26, 7 p.m., William Ramsay Recreation Center, 5650 Sanger Avenue
• Wednesday, April 27, 7 p.m., Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center, 25 W. Reed Avenue
• Friday, April 29, 7 p.m., Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street.

Advanced registration will be required for these free sessions. Email arts@alexandriava.gov with your name, your organization, the session(s) you wish to attend, and your email address. Participation is optional for all sessions. 

Have an idea for an arts project, but need to connect with a nonprofit organization? If you missed one of the Open-House Matchmaking Sessions and you need to find a nonprofit to be matched up with email arts@alexandriava.gov. 

Please note you are NOT able to save this application or edit it once submitted. Please only submit a completed application. If you have any questions about the grant or the application, please email Office of the Arts staff at arts@alexandriava.gov

CREATIVE NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT PROGRAM'S ONLINE GRANT APPLICATION FORM:
PDF Template of application: click here
Online application: click here

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 processing program to compose their responses to grant questions and when ready, cut and paste the drafted responses into the online application form.  

Alexandria’s Office of the Arts, as a division of the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, enriches the community by nurturing, investing in, and celebrating the creative contributions of artists and arts organizations throughout the City of Alexandria. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Arts.  For information on the grants program or to register for a webinar, email: arts@alexandriava.gov.

For reasonable disability accommodation or to request translated materials or translation services, contact Cherylanne.colton@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5565, Virginia Relay 711.

The Office of the Arts has worked with the Historic Preservation Office with the National Endowment for the Arts to identify specific locations where arts programs can occur.  You are encouraged to reach out to these locations prior to submitting your Creative Neighborhood Grant application.  

For a listing of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Recreation Directors names, emails and telephone numbers click here.  

Arlandria

• Four Mile Run Conservatory, 4109 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305
• Four Mile Run Park-3700 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305
• St. Rita's Catholic Church-3801 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA 22305

West End

• William Ramsay Recreation Center, School, Jerome Buddie Ford Nature Center and Dora Kelley Park-5750 Sanger Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311
• Patrick Henry Recreation Center and School-4653 Taney Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304
• Holmes Run Park-Holmes Run Parkway
• Armistead Boothe Park-520 Cameron Station Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22304

Parker Gray

• Charles Houston Recreation Center-901 Wythe St, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Durant Arts Center-1605 Cameron St, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Braddock Interim Open Space-600 N. Henry St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Nonprofit 501 © 3 organizations to engage and hire local artists in the designated neighborhoods. Nonprofit organizations must have been in existence for one year prior to applying and must stay in existence during the grant period. Arts projects and activities must take place within the City of Alexandria, VA. If awarded, funds must be used as outlined in the grant application and must follow expenditure guidelines outline by the National Endowment for the Arts.  

Temporary artisan markets, concert series, community cultural festivals, interactive storytelling, theatre and dance performances, and visual arts demonstrations.

The intention of the Creative Neighborhood Grant Program is to offer high quality artistic programs free of  charge to the public in three targeted neighborhood: Arlandria, Parker Gray and the West End. 

No physical alterations or physical additions to properties that may be historic or older than 50 years of age. No permanent hardware will be necessary. Neither temporary nor permanent art installations are included in grant activities. Contact Marta Ali, Project Manager for the Creative Neighborhood Grant Program by emailing arts@alexandriava.gov.

To learn more about the National Endowment for the Arts' approved allowable expenses click here.   

Alexandria City Public Schools, Department of Teaching, Learning and Leadership, Office of Fine Arts; ACT for Alexandria; Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority; Alexandria’s Race and Social Equity Office; the West End Business Association; and Casa Chirilagua. 

For over 30 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 2023 Annual Arts Program grant will launch on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.  Annual Arts Programs occurring between July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 will be considered for funding. 

Grant Webinar Opportunities:

The Office of the Arts will conduct a series of grant workshops and webinars to assist interested applicants in preparing their grant applications.  New applicants - arts organizations and artist(s) - along with applicants who have not applied in the past 2 years are required to attend. If they do not attend, they will be considered as ineligible.  Due to changes in the granting process, other applicants are urged to attend these free workshops and webinars. 

Grant Webinars:
Monday, March 7, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, March 8, 5 p.m.

Wednesday, March 9, 9 a.m.

Thursday, March 10, 10 a.m.

Friday, March 11, 1 p.m.

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. 

The Fiscal Year 2023 annual Arts Program Grant webinars will be held on the Microsoft TEAMS virtual meeting platform.  In advance of the webinar, plan to download the Microsoft TEAMS program.

If you have any further questions about the Arts Program Grant or any other programs and services of the Office of the Arts, do email: arts@alexandriava.gov.  

Key Dates for the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Arts Program Grant Cycle:

Mark your calendars for the following:
Tuesday, March 1              Online grants portal with SurveyMonkey Apply is LIVE!
Friday, April 1                     5:00 p.m. Grant deadline
April 4 – 8                           Staff Review applications for completeness
April 8 – May 6                  Grant Taskforce Review and scoring
May 10                               Grant Taskforce Meeting 
Tuesday, May 17               Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Arts Program Grants Report 
                                           to Alexandria Commission for the Art 
Mid-June                            Award notifications sent

The Annual Arts Program Grant webinars will be held on a virtual meeting platform.  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. 

• To strengthen Alexandria's creative capacity by providing its residents with diverse opportunities to meaningfully engage with the arts.
• To improve the capacity and stability of Alexandria-based organizations to create, perform, and present works of artistic excellence and innovation through organizational support and program funding; and
• To create a vibrant urban environment by supporting diverse individual artists, organizations, and other entities in the creation, performance, and presentation of high-quality works of art across the City of Alexandria.   

Review Before You Begin the Application, review the Grant Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions.

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. 

The online grants portal will be live on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.  Online applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2022. Mailed or hand-delivered applications will not be accepted. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

Application for Arts Program Grant: 

• Applications are accepted from 501(c) 3 nonprofit arts organizations. 
• Grants made through this category are up to $10,000 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.           
         
  ONLINE GRANT APPLICATION FORM:
  Word Doc: click here
  Online application: click here

  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 processing program to compose their responses to grant questions and when ready, cut and paste the drafted responses into the online application form.  

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

1. donations from individuals
2. ticket sales
3. general operating budget
4. 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, i.e., $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, 2022. 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. 

• 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 2023, and an articulation of how they advance the goals of the Arts and Culture Plan for the City of Alexandria. 

• Application Submission: The grant application is the document upon which recommendations and decisions to award financial support will be made. The application consists of:
  1. a completed application form, with appropriate attachments, signed by a representative of the organization/individual authorized to act on behalf of the applicant. 
  2. work samples and documentation of previous arts activities.
• The completed application must be completed online grants portal by the stated due date above. NO EXCEPTIONS.
• 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: 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.

Applications are reviewed by a Grants Task Force comprised of Arts Commissioners and arts professional from throughout the region. The Task Force evaluates each application based on the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence and quality of the proposed program or project (45% of overall score).
• Impact & Engagement of the residents of the City of Alexandria (35% of overall score).
• Management and Budget which considers the feasibility of applicant to successfully implement the annual program or project and overall fiscal responsibility of the applicant with realistic financial goals and strategic planning in support of the project (20% of overall score). 

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 2023 Program Grant Score sheet

If you have questions about the City's Arts Program Grant review the Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions.  If applicants have additional questions, need assistance, or wish to inquire about available webinars, please email arts@alexandriava.gov.  If reasonable accommodations are needed, please call Cheryl Anne Colton, Regional Program Director, 703.746.5565; TTY 703.838.4902.

The Fiscal Year 2022 Arts Program Grant awarded $130,250 to the following organizations (in alphabetical order): 

• Alexandria Choral Society

• Alexandria Citizens Band

• Alexandria Film Festival

• Alexandria Harmonizers

• Alexandria Singers

• Alexandria Symphony Orchestra

• Armed Services Arts Partnership

• Arts on the Horizon

• Del Ray Artisans

• Eclipse Changer Orchestra

• Encore Stage and Studio

• First Night Alexandria

• HEARD

• Local Motion Project

• MetroStage

• Momentum Collective Inc.

• Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association

• QuinTango

• The Art League

• The Thirteen Choir

• UpCycle Creative Reuse Center

• Virginia Opera

• Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic

• Young Playwrights Theater

Arts Program Sustainability Grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan Alexandria, $70,000 was awarded to the following organizations:

Alexandria Choral Society

Alexandria Film Festival

Alexandria Harmonizers

Alexandria Symphony Orchestra

HEARD

Local Motion Project

Momentum Collective, Inc.

Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia

Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra