Local Government Challenge Grants

• Purpose
• Description
• Eligible Applicants
• Eligible Activities
• Deadlines
• Amount of Assistance
• Criteria for Evaluating Applications
• Application Review and Payment Procedure
• Application

Purpose
To encourage local governments to support the arts.

Description
The Commission will match, up to $5,000, subject to funds available, tax monies given by independent town, city, and county governments to arts organizations. The money, which does not include school arts budgets or arts programming by parks and recreation departments, may be granted either by a local arts commission/council or directly by the governing board.

Eligible Applicants
Independent city, town, or county governments in Virginia.

Eligible Activities
Grants to independent arts organizations for arts activities in the locality. The Commission does not match payments paid to performers for specific performances. Local governments seeking such funding should apply in the Performing Arts Touring Assistance Program.

Deadlines
April 1, 2009, for local government grants

NOTE: A local government that has not approved its budget by the grant deadline may apply conditionally and confirm the application as soon as possible.

Amount of Assistance
Up to $5,000, subject to funds available. Local government match must be from local government funds; federal funds may not be included.

Criteria for Evaluating Applications

• Artistic quality of the organizations supported by the city/county/town
• Clearly defined policies and procedures for awarding local funds to arts organizations
• Degree of involvement of artists and arts organizations in the local process of awarding grants
• Responsiveness to community needs
• Evidence of local government support of the arts

Application Review and Payment Procedure

1. Local governments submit complete application forms by the deadline (not a postmark deadline). The Commission does not accept application materials via facsimile transmission or other electronic means (e.g. e-mail).
2. The Commission staff reviews each application for completeness and eligibility.
3. The Commission staff makes recommendations on levels of funding for each application.
4. The board of the Commission reviews the staff recommendations and takes final action on the applications.
5. After confirmation of the grant award, each local government will confirm in writing to the Commission that its governing board has appropriated the matching funds. The Commission will pay the grant in full after receiving this confirmation.