Historic Triangle citizens and organizations looking to fund art-minded projects in the next year are invited to apply for grants through the York County Arts Commission.
Projects can include exhibitions, performances, film or video productions, readings, workshops, seminars and conferences, requests for new artwork purchases and more.
Applicants are asked to describe the project or performance in detail and included projected expenses and revenues.
The following criteria will be applied to all applications:
- Not-for-profit and exempt from federal income tax under provisions of the internal revenue code.
- Produce, present or support dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater, museums, visual and related arts.
- Perform or offer activities/services in Williamsburg, James City County, or York County that also serve the citizens of York County.
- Performances, projects or services are accessible to handicapped individuals and the public at-large.
- Performances, projects, or services not held in Williamsburg, James City County or York County, which are deemed by the Commission to directly benefit the citizens of York County.
In addition, the arts commission takes into consideration applications that show evidence of financial assistance from sources other than the commission.
The commission is also offering a Challenge Grant requiring matching funding of up to $500 to “promote citizen awareness of local and regional arts groups” by showcasing the artwork at various York County sites, a news release states.
Those applying for the Challenge Grant must include proof of other private source match funding in their application, and the projects or events must be held in York County.
The Challenge Grant will allow the recipient to create and present his or her work, develop new programs and increase opportunities for visual and performing arts groups to promote interest in their organizations. The same criteria as above applies to the Challenge Grant.
The deadline for all submissions is March 6, and grant recipients will receive the funding at the end of the summer.
Last year, the Board of Supervisors — per the recommendation of the commission — funded $15,200 to 33 organizations, including the Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and the Watermen’s Museum.
In comparison, James City County and Williamsburg allocated a combined $120,000 last year per the recommendation of the Williamsburg Arts Commission, which suggests funding for both localities. The city contributed $55,000 of the $120,000.
Sheila Myers, chairwoman of the York County Arts Commission, said many of the funds last year were appropriated for school-related projects.
“We’re always hoping that we will get a huge number [of applications,”] Myers said.
She said she and the other four appointed members of the York County Arts Commission, who meet several times to discuss which organizations they think should receive funding to the Board of Supervisors, have never disagreed on how to allocate funding.
Many organizations apply for large grants of up to $150,000, Myers said, making the commission’s job a somber one.
“It’s heart-wrenching that these organizations get by by cobbling together grants by all localities so they can continue [funding projects,]” she said.
She plans to attend York County’s first public forum on the fiscal year 2016 budget — which runs from July 1 to June 30, 2016 — on Tuesday and ask the Board of Supervisors to increase the amount of funds allocated to arts organizations in order to “keep up” with James City County and Williamsburg’s total arts funding.
The public forum will begin at 7 p.m. in the York Hall Board Room on Tuesday. Citizens are encouraged to contribute comments concerning the upcoming proposed budget.
