General Operating Support for Major Arts Institutions

Organizations that meet the standards described below will be reviewed by a statewide, multidisciplinary panel in alternating years. These organizations will follow the same guidelines and application procedures as other applicants for General Operating Support.

• Virginia organizations whose primary purpose is the arts (excluding units of government and educational institutions, as well as their private companion foundations), that are not a division of a larger organization, that have an independent governing board, that are incorporated in Virginia, that meet the Basic Eligibility Criteria, and that are exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Organizations that have their headquarters and home season in the state.
• Organizations that have the purpose of producing or presenting the performing arts must pay the performers.
• Organizations that have the purpose of presenting the visual arts must have professional curators who select the work to be shown. These organizations may not charge fees to artists for the exhibition of their work.
• Organizations that have full time administrative staff.
• Organizations that have boards of directors with the authority and skills to guide the organization.
• Organizations that have been reviewed and approved for full funding in operating support from the Commission for at least four years prior to being considered by the Commission to be a major arts institution.
• Organizations that have previous year’s cash income of at least $1,000,000. Substantial income for non-arts activities, such as facility rental income, is not included in the income minimum.
• Organizations that have substantial education/outreach programs.
• Organizations that have opinioned, independent audits of their financial records each year.