The Fund for Arlington Arts
Kevin McAllister and Nova Y. Payton in Ain't Misbehavin' at Signature Theatre. Photo: Margot Schulman
An endowment to support the soul of Arlington: a vibrant and diverse arts community
As we look to Arlington’s future, with its inventive and nationally recognized arts community, we know the arts cannot survive without diverse sources of fiscal support. Reliance on earned income or government support is not enough. Arlington’s nonprofit arts organizations and its local artists - performing and visual - need diverse philanthropic support, and this endowed Fund is established to be one consistent, resilient funding resource for years to come.
Why the need for a Fund for Arlington Arts? Arlington County has a rich history of supporting vibrant and diverse community-based arts programming. The impacts of the 2008 recession and the 2020 pandemic have wrought havoc on the fiscal underpinning of many of the County arts organizations. The loss of financial support, due to static or reduced government funding and unpredictable earned revenue streams, has severely challenged many of our Arlington arts organizations. Even in the best times, for most arts organizations, earned income from ticket sales and similar revenue streams, along with government support, accounts for only about half of what is needed to survive. Establishment of the endowed Fund for Arlington Arts at Arlington Community Foundation is one step that we, as Arlingtonians, can take to help provide a reliable funding resource for our many Arlington-based nonprofit arts organizations.
Arlington Arts Center offers year-round arts classes for artists of all ages and experience levels. Photo: Dawn Whitmore
Why the Arts? Community builder Nonprofit arts organizations weave the social and civic fabric of our community, creating the places and experiences that make our community more inclusive and compassionate.
Economic driver Arts and culture-related industries attract employees and investments, generate tax revenue, and infuse other industries with creative insight.
Health promoter The arts offer therapeutic benefits and improve the quality of life when integrated into healthcare. Several studies point to the health benefits of the arts in a variety of populations, from veterans with PTSD to seniors with chronic illness.
Just as the Foundation's COVID-19 Prompt Response Fund provided effective, flexible support to Arlington's safety-net nonprofits, this new Fund is designed to provide County arts organizations with sustained, flexible support that can help them keep thriving — in good times and in bad. We invite you to join us in investing in a bright and sustainable future for the arts in Arlington. Together with John Benton and David Briggs as Founders, all donors who contribute $10,000 or more by June 30, 2022 will be recognized as "Founding Donors." The long-term goal for the Fund is $5 million so that $250,000 annually could be given in grants to arts and cultural organizations presenting arts programming in the County.
The immediate goal for the Fund is $1 million The Fund for Arlington Arts is a permanent field-of-interest fund to support the broad and changing needs within the arts organizations of the Arlington community through annual grants. Gifts to the Fund will be managed by Arlington Community Foundation and invested for longterm growth. Grant applications will be reviewed and assigned by a panel of local arts experts and enthusiasts. The Fund will accept contributions from individuals, businesses, companies, corporations, and foundations to support and enhance the community’s commitment to the arts. Memorial and Legacy gifts will also be accepted.
“There is not one person who has not been impacted in some way by the arts. The arts tell the story of life.”
John Benton Founding Donor & Deputy Under Secretary Emeritus of Smithsonian Institution
Arlington Community Foundation Since 1991, the Foundation has awarded more than $16 million in grants and scholarships. The Foundation manages more than 170 funds, holds assets totaling more than $25 million, and has over $28 million currently under management.
"As we enter this time of healing, we need to feed the soul with the arts — they are what rebuild us as a whole person and as a whole community."
Jennifer Owens President and CEO Arlington Community Foundation
Far from a "nice to have," Arlington arts serve as a unique and unrivaled connection that celebrates our past, serves as a reflection of the present, and builds the bridge to our future possibilities. The arts touch our lives, awaken our emotions, challenge us to action, and bring us together in a common humanity in ways nothing else can.
You are a critical part of keeping the soul and story of Arlington alive and well for generations to come. Please consider joining us. Thank you.
Since 2008, Bowen McCauley Dance Company (BMDC) offered free weekly Dance for PD® (Parkinson’s Disease) classes, providing participants the joys and benefits of dance while creatively addressing symptom-specific concerns related to Parkinson's. During the COVID-19 pandemic, BMDC continued to provide these classes virtually. Photo: Jeff Malet
To learn more, contact Jennifer Owens:
P: 703.243.4785 x201 E: jowens@arlcf.org