City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 5, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: JAMES SPENGLER, DIRECTOR
RECREATION, PARKS, AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Commission for the Arts for a Virginia250 Impact Grant for the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) for a Virginia250 Impact Grant for the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Authorize the submission of a grant application in the amount of $5,000 to the Virginia Commission for the Art’s new Virginia250 Impact Grant Program. The grant application deadline is April 1, 2024; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: In partnership with the Virginia250 Commission, the Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) created the new Virginia250 Impact Grant. This grant will provide one-time programmatic support up to $5,000 for arts activities taking place between July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025, that explore the themes of “Revolution of Ideas,” capture stories that commemorate the Revolutionary War and demonstrate the impact of revolutionary ideas on our world today.
This grant program is open to Virginia units of local and tribal government (including libraries and departments of parks and recreation) and public educational institutions.
DISCUSSION: The Office of the Arts plans to apply for the Virginia250 Impact Grant to support the ongoing partnership between the Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT) to produce innovative, technology-based art installations for our community embodying the spirit of revolutionary ideas. Programs will begin in the early part of 2025 and into the spring at locations throughout Alexandria as well as at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg and their new Innovation Campus in Potomac Yard.
The Office of the Arts will apply for the maximum award of $5,000 to support all the program elements including, but not limited to artist and speaker fees, supplies, and marketing.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is not a cash match requirement for this grant. The partnership with Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology and the Office of the Arts will be responsible for normal administrative costs associated with this grant which include financial and reporting oversight provided by the administering agency (the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities) as well as the Office of Management and Budget and the Finance Department.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
James Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA)
Diane Ruggiero, Deputy Director, RPCA/Office of the Arts
Cheryl Anne Colton, Regional Program Director, RPCA/Office of the Arts
Brett Johnson, Curator of Artistic Advancement, RPCA/Office of the Arts