Arts & Culture Grant Opportunities
Grant opportunities are designed to support local artists and enhance the arts in our community.
Grant Applications Now Open
Applications for all grants listed below are now open! Scroll down to learn more about each grant program, including eligibility criteria and application deadlines. Email artsinfo@vbgov.com if you have any questions.
Grants to Individual Artists
The Virginia Beach Individual Artists Support Grants are designed to support Virginia Beach artists by offering resources to enhance their artistic practice, achieve professional growth, build their portfolios, and engage with the community to contribute to the cultural vibrancy of Virginia Beach.
The deadline to apply for the Individual Artist Support Grant is 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.
Grants for Neighborhood Art Programs
The Creative Neighborhoods Grant Program is designed to empower and inspire communities by providing financial support for neighborhood-based art projects. This pilot program aims to foster a sense of pride, unity, and creativity within neighborhoods and districts by funding projects that beautify public spaces, celebrate local culture, and engage residents in the artistic process.
The Creative Neighborhoods Grants support arts organizations, civic/neighborhood associations, individual artists, groups of artists, non-arts nonprofits, and community-based organizations and businesses with project expenses associated with presenting multigenerational, free gatherings with arts components or short-term art projects in communities.
These activities should bring the community together, enhance the neighborhood, and reflect its unique character.
The deadline to apply for a Creative Neighborhoods Grant is 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
Performing Arts Partnership Grant
The Performing Arts Partnership Grant supports performing arts nonprofits in delivering high-quality projects that engage the Virginia Beach community through a partnership with the Cultural Affairs Department. This grant fosters artistic excellence, collaboration, and community outreach, with an emphasis on creating meaningful cultural experiences in Virginia Beach. This grant aims to strengthen and expand Virginia Beach’s performing arts sector by supporting projects that foster collaboration between performing arts nonprofits and the Cultural Affairs Department.
Grant applications are accepted year-round until funds are exhausted.
Project Grants
The Arts & Humanities Commission exists to assist the growth of worthwhile programs in the arts and humanities in the City of Virginia Beach. Toward this end, the Commission provides financial assistance to organizations (in the form of project grants) for activities serving the residents of Virginia Beach. Applicants may apply for only one project grant in any grant period.
FY26 Project Grant applications are now open. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2025.
Leadership and Organizational Development Grant
The Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission's Leadership and Organizational Development (LOD) Grant program supports arts and humanities leaders (professional administrators, key volunteers and board members) in acquiring skills and practical tools that hone their ability to lead, develop and sustain the overall health and vitality of arts and humanities organizations.
Community Cultural Arts Grants
This grant aims to foster cultural equity in the arts through the support of culturally and/or ethnically specific arts.
The grant portal is currently open. If you have questions, please email artsinfo@vbgov.com.