Leesburg Arts Organizations Have Until Late February to Apply for Creative Communities Partnership Grant

Local arts organizations in Leesburg, Virginia, are invited to apply for funding that will support artistic endeavors within the town during the upcoming Fiscal Year 2027. According to a press release from the Town of Leesburg, the Commission on Public Art (COPA) is facilitating the application process for the Creative Communities Partnership Grant. This initiative aims to bolster artistic activities by distributing a total of $10,000, a sum comprised of $4,500 in state funding secured through the Virginia Commission for the Arts and a $5,500 local match from the Town of Leesburg.

Eligible organizations must be 501(c)3 non-profits with a primary focus on the arts, such as dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater, or visual arts. They must also be incorporated in Virginia and maintain their headquarters and primary activities within the state. The grant funding is specifically designated for independent arts organizations and will not cover school arts budgets, arts programming by local government entities, or departments like parks and recreation. Furthermore, the grant does not provide matching funds for payments made to performers for specific events. Organizations seeking this funding must submit an online application through the Town’s website. The application should detail the requested amount, how the funds will be utilized, the intended audience, and a description of the arts organization itself. Applicants will also need to provide proof of their 501(c)3 status. The deadline for all applications to be received is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27. Following the application period, COPA will review all requests in March 2026 and then make recommendations for fund distribution to the Leesburg Town Council. The Town itself has an April 1 deadline to apply for the state portion of the grant, with selected organizations expected to receive their funding in the summer. Further details about grants available through the Virginia Commission for the Arts can be found on their website.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Town of Leesburg, Virginia.

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