Select recipients include BalletNova, Arts Herndon, Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, and 1st Stage
The Arts Council of Fairfax County has awarded $379,013 in Operating Support Grants to 41 nonprofit arts organizations in Fairfax County. Operating Support Grants provide critical funds necessary for the basic operation of arts organizations in Fairfax County in recognition of the valuable programs and services they provide to County residents.
Fiscal year 2017 funded organizations offering public programs in a variety of disciplines including arts education, dance, instrumental music, multidisciplinary, opera, theatre, visual art, and vocal music. Operating Support Grants are awarded each year to both emerging and established art organizations.
“We are pleased to issue County support for the arts in Fairfax through a competitive grants process. Organizations receiving general operating support represent our most creative and well managed organizations, which provide a high level of arts service and community reach,” said Linda S. Sullivan, President & CEO, Arts Council of Fairfax County.
“With the grant award, Reston Community Players will provide scholarships to college bound theatrical artists and help Girl Scouts learn about the world of theater backstage. The grant also furthers our ability to work with community organizations on special projects, such as the LMproject Broadway Bound Summer Intensive, and to provide unique opportunities for audiences to experience theater in ways they may not otherwise have the chance to, such as our sensory sensitive matinee of Mary Poppins,” said Jolene Vettese, President, Reston Community Players.
“This year, with support from the Arts Council, Arts Herndon was able to host one of our most prestigious programs— a literary event featuring Kwame Alexander and Meg Medina. Kwame is the winner of many literary awards, most recently the Newbery award, and Meg Medina is the two-time winner of the Pura Belpré award for Children’s and Young Adult literature. Attendees included State Delegate Jennifer Boysko, Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust, Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel and a diverse audience of high school, elementary school, and adult attendees,” said Signe Friedrichs, Arts Herndon.
“We are honored to receive our first Operating Support Grant from the Arts Council, which supports our commitment to provide a comprehensive performing arts academy program, including world-renowned instructors and state-of-the-art facilities, and our goals to expand, teach, and personify performing arts education in our community in Fairfax County and beyond,” said Melissa Dobbs, Founder and Executive Director of Metropolitan School of the Arts in Alexandria, VA. “Our black box theatre, set to debut in January 2017, is just one example of MSA’s passion to build our community arts’ program and bring the arts to our Fairfax County neighbors,” said Melissa Dobbs, Founder and Executive Director of Metropolitan School of the Arts.
