Tourism & the Arts

“These days people don’t travel just to escape. They travel to enrich their lives." - Arthur Frommer

Tourism is the world’s leading industry, and heritage and cultural tourism is its fastest-growing segment. Today’s national and international travelers look for fulfilling travel destinations that provide authentic historical, cultural, and natural experiences of an area or region.

Virginia’s arts organizations, museums and festivals represent some of the major attractions that entice tourists to visit our state.

The Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Virginia Tourism Corporation are partnering to offer a special grant program to help Virginia arts organizations with direct expenses related to tourism promotion efforts. Tourism and the Arts grants provide $5,000 matching grants to partnerships headed by General Operating Support grantees for marketing initiatives related to tourism.

If you have questions contact Foster Billingsley, Deputy Director at (804) 225-3132 or foster.billingsley@arts.virginia.gov.