ArtsFairfax Project Support Grants Program 2026

The ArtsFairfax Project Support Grant provides strategic funding to nonprofit arts organizations in Fairfax County, Virginia, with a focus on supporting activities that fall outside of an organization’s typical scope. Managed by ArtsFairfax, the county's designated local arts agency, the grant aims to foster a flourishing arts environment by assisting organizations that create, exhibit, or present arts programming. ArtsFairfax is funded through a combination of public and private sources, including Fairfax County, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and other institutional supporters. The grant is structured to align with the county's One Fairfax policy, which emphasizes equity, inclusion, and access in public service and community programming. The core purpose of the Project Support Grant is to encourage and develop diverse artistic experiences that serve the cultural needs of residents across Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church. Grant funding is specifically designed for arts projects that introduce new initiatives or significantly enhance existing programs—rather than support ongoing operational costs. The grant supports organizations in delivering innovative projects such as new arts education offerings, the engagement of high-caliber guest artists, or the development of public art and community partnerships. Applicants may request funding between $1,000 and $25,000, with awards supporting a performance or project period between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. A two-year grant period may be requested with appropriate justification and interim reporting. Eligibility for this grant is restricted to nonprofit arts organizations that are either based in or serve the designated local areas. Organizations must demonstrate regular activity, present at least 51% of public programming within the eligible geographies, and have a board or audience base rooted in these communities. Organizations without formal 501(c)(3) status may apply using a fiscal sponsor, provided the sponsor manages all grant funds. Projects must occur within the eligible geographies and may not include capital campaigns, debt retirement, political advocacy, or non-public-facing activities. Arts education projects in schools are exempt from the public-facing restriction. The grant program includes four subcategories: Arts in Education, Opportunity, Partnerships, and Arts Access. Each subcategory focuses on a different aspect of community engagement, such as delivering high-impact experiences in educational or social service settings; leveraging unique, otherwise inaccessible opportunities; fostering collaboration between nonprofits and individual artists or informal collectives; or extending arts access to underserved or economically disadvantaged communities. Applicants may only apply to one subcategory per grant cycle and must tailor their proposals to meet the respective category’s specific goals. Applications must be submitted through ArtsFairfax’s online application portal by the deadline of July 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Hard copies and late submissions are not accepted. An informational session will be held on May 28, 2026. The application review includes eligibility screening by staff followed by a panel evaluation. The review panel comprises qualified arts professionals selected for their expertise and diverse backgrounds. Panelists evaluate proposals based on criteria such as artistic quality, feasibility, community engagement, alignment with category-specific goals, and budget appropriateness. Additionally, applicants are scored on priority elements such as diversity, creative placemaking, and innovation. Awards will be announced in October 2026, with initial payments made that month. Final reports are due by August 1, 2027, followed by the remaining disbursements in August or September 2027. The Project Support Grant is offered on an annual basis, and recurring applicants must be current with reporting requirements from any previous grants. Technical assistance, grant writing tips, and required forms are available on the ArtsFairfax website. The designated point of contact for this grant is Nicole Powlison, Grants Manager, reachable at [email protected].

Align proposal with subcategory goals; ensure project is not routine organizational activity; emphasize innovation and inclusion