City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 19, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: JACK BROWAND, INTERIM DIRECTOR, RECREATION, PARKS & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Fiscal Year 2026 Grant Application to the Virginia Commission for the Arts for the Creative Community Partnership Grant for the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Fiscal Year 2026 grant application to the Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) for funding in the amount of $4,500 for the Creative Community Partnerships Grant.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Authorize the submission of a grant application in the amount of $4,500 to the Virginia Commission for the Art’s Creative Community Partnership Grant Program. The grant application deadline is April 1, 2025; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The City of Alexandria's Office of the Arts administers the City's annual Art Program Grant to fund arts programs, events, and classes in Alexandria. Each year, grants are awarded to approximately 25 to 30 arts organizations through a competitive evaluation process and are approved based on available funding. The Alexandria Commission for the Arts (ACA) advises staff on funding appropriations to grant applicants and fully endorses the application submission.
DISCUSSION: The City of Alexandria is eligible to submit a Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) Creative Community Partnership Grant for Fiscal Year 2026 requesting $4,500, the current maximum amount permitted, to be distributed equally among local arts organizations who are awarded a City of Alexandria Arts Program Grant. The city has received the maximum funding in this grant program from the Virginia Commission for the Arts for the past 45 years.
Although the distribution may result in small awards to the arts organizations, the impact can be much greater. With the VCA grant, arts groups can promote that they are a recipient of funds from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and its funder, the National Endowment for the Arts, which can often help arts organizations leverage additional donations and sponsorships.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Virginia Commission for the Arts provides up to $4,500. The City has identified the required matching funds in the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Office of the Arts FY 2026 proposed operating budget.
The City is also responsible for normal administrative costs associated with this grant. These costs include financial and reporting oversight provided by the administering agency (the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities/Office of the Arts) as well as the Office of Management and Budget and the Finance Department.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Diane Ruggiero, Deputy Director, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities /Office of the Arts
Cheryl Anne Colton, Regional Program Director, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities /Office of the Arts