Arts Focus: Artists & Performers Gear Up for the FY 2020 Arlington Arts Grant Applications

Projection by Robin Bell and Maz Paz can be seen at FY19 grantee Arlington Arts Center’s Dia De Los Muertos Celebration, Nov 2-3 (Photo Credit: Soram Yamahira/Bellvisuals.com)

Acclaimed FY19 grantee Bowen McCauley Dance ensemble will perform at 100th Armistice Day Memorial Performance, Nov 11 at Arlington’s Kenmore Middle School (Photo Credit: bmdc.org)

FY19 Individual Artist grantee Sushmita Mazumdar (r) is known for her interactive book-making projects like this cookbook (Photo Credit: Kara Billings)

This column is written and sponsored by Arlington Arts / Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Arlington-based non-profit arts organizations and individual artists, mark your calendars: the FY 2020 Arlington Arts Grants application cycle is about to begin, starting with workshops throughout the month of November to help you put your best foot forward.

In discussing Arlington Cultural Affairs Division’s work earlier this year, WTOP 103.5 FM observed that “Arlington has spawned some of the D.C. area’s most creative and forward-thinking attitudes toward art projects for the past four decades, ranging from music, to community sculpture, to providing creative workspaces for artists.” Central to this growth has been the Arlington Arts Grants Program.

Administered by the Arlington Commission for the Arts, the Cultural Affairs Division’s Arlington Arts Grants Program artists and arts organizations in establishing and maintaining artistic and cultural programs in the County. We do this by providing facilities, financial and technical support; developing a broad base of financial and community support; and enhancing their artistic, technical and managerial competence.

Additional resources available to Arlington Cultural Affairs Division grantees range from discounted access to the Arlington CostumeLab with a 20,000-piece costume library, sewing machines and a dye vat, to the Arlington Scene Shop outfitted with the tools and space necessary to build sets.

All organizations and individuals planning to apply for an FY 2020 grant must register and attend one of the following workshops (click on the date to register via Eventbrite):

Workshops for Organizations

Workshops for Individuals

Last year, there were 43 grant applications requesting County support in Fiscal Year 2019. Of the 26 requests for financial support, 15 were from non-profit arts organizations and 11 were from individual artists. Twelve organizations requested performance/rehearsal space and technical services in addition to financial support, and five organizations requested performance/rehearsal space only. Submissions are reviewed by panels of arts experts and committees of Arts Commissioners.

Visit this link on the Arlington Arts website for deadlines and detailed information about the FY 2020 Arlington Arts Grants!