Artist Catalyst Grants

Practicing Virginia artists age 18 or older who are legal state residents actively creating or presenting artistic work may apply. Full-time students and VCA roster artists are ineligible. Applicants must remain Virginia residents during the grant period and have no past-due VCA final reports.

One-time grants of up to $500 support career catalyst activities such as masterclasses, conferences, website or portfolio development, apprenticeships, equipment purchases integral to an opportunity (total purchase up to $3,000), or event rental fees. Public performances must be ADA-accessible and open to the general public.

Cycle 1 opens October 1, 2026. Virginia's standalone Artist Fellowship program was discontinued in FY2026 guidelines, making Catalyst the active statewide individual grant.

The Virginia Commission for the Arts is the state arts agency administering competitive individual artist funding.