Virginia arts commission looks to promote arts with ‘arts tour directory’

The deadline for individuals and groups to apply for inclusion in the 2016-2017 Virginia Commission for the Arts’ Performing Arts Tour Directory is 5:00 p.m., July 15, 2015.  Applications and all supporting materials must be received at the Virginia Commission for the Arts office at 1001 East Broad Street, Suite 330, Richmond, VA 23219 by the deadline (this is not a postmark date).  For more information about the tour program and to download an application, visithttps://www.arts.virginia.gov/PATD.html or call the Commission at (804) 225-3132.

The Virginia Commission for the Arts’ Performing Arts Touring Directory is intended to support Virginia performing artists and ensembles as well as increase opportunities for Virginians to experience high quality performing arts events statewide.  Performing artists and ensembles apply to be listed in the Tour Directory with a set amount of funding reserved to support their touring; grants are made to the presenter, not the touring artist(s).  Individuals and groups on the roster are excellent and experienced performers available to communities, schools and other venues.

The Commission’s Performing Artist directory can be found athttps://www.arts.virginia.gov/PATD.html  The directory lists individuals and groups who work in a number of disciplines, including dance, music, interdisciplinary arts, storytelling, opera and theatre. To be in the directory, performing artists are reviewed by a panel of arts professionals in a rigorous review process that evaluates the artistic quality of their presentation, experience in touring, and ability to market and promote performances.

The panel, which consists of arts professionals, performing artists, performing arts presenters and knowledgeable laypersons in the performing arts, will review applications on September 9, 2015 at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060.  Panel recommendations will be presented to the Commissioners at the fall board meeting for final approval. Applicants will be notified of their status after the review and approval process are completed.

The Virginia Commission for the Arts supports the arts through funding from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.  The Commission distributes grant awards to artists, arts and other not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, educators and local governments and provides technical assistance in arts management.