The Arts Council of Fairfax County has awarded $379,125 in operating support grants to 44 nonprofit arts organizations in Fairfax County.
FY16 funded organizations offer a variety of arts disciplines including, dance, film, instrumental music, opera, theatre, visual art and vocal music. Operating support grants were awarded to both emerging and established art organizations.
“Arts funding strengthens local arts organizations and supports artists as they contribute to the vibrancy of our communities providing opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in the arts,” said Linda S. Sullivan, president and CEO, Arts Council of Fairfax County.
The Vienna Jammers was one of the newer organizations and received an operating support grant for the first time. Since 2012, the Jammers have expanded from a small, after-school percussion ensemble to a professional world music percussion, music education and performing arts organization for youth featuring four ensembles and a 90-plus strong membership.
“We are thrilled to have received funding from the Arts Council. It will enable our organization to start building the administrative support structure needed for the organization to grow and provide children with a comprehensive musical experience,” said David L. Reynolds Jr., Vienna Jammers and 2015 Emerging Arts awardee.
The Voce Chamber Singers is one of the long-standing recipients of funding from the Arts Council. The organization was founded in 1989 and is dedicated to presenting high-quality chamber choral music from all musical periods around the globe and commissioning new choral works.
“Thanks to the support from the Arts Council our organization can continue to develop, encourage, and promote public awareness and appreciation of choral and vocal music to Fairfax County residents,” Richard Giarusso, artistic director, Voce Chamber Singers, based in Reston.
The FY16 recipients are: Acting For Young People, Amadeus Concerts, Inc., American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras, BalletNova Center for Dance, Children of the Light Dancers, City of Fairfax Band Association, City of Fairfax Theatre Company, Council for the Arts of Herndon, Creative Cauldron, Dancin' Unlimited Jazz Dance Company, Fairfax Choral Society, Greater Reston Arts Center, Herndon Foundation for the Cultural Arts, Initiative for Public Art – Reston, Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, McLean Community Players, McLean Orchestra, McLean Project for the Arts, Mosaic Harmony, Mount Vernon Community Children's Theatre, New Dominion Chorale, NextStop Theatre Company, Northern Virginia Chorale, Providence Players of Fairfax, Reston Community Orchestra, Reston Community Players, Reunion Music Society, Inc., The Choralis Foundation, The Fairfax Ballet Company, The Hub Theatre, The McLean Symphony, The Reston Chorale, The Vienna Jammers Percussion Ensemble, Inc., Traveling Players Ensemble, Vienna Arts Society, Vienna Choral Society, Vienna-Falls Chorus, Sweet Adelines International, Virginia Ballet Company and School, Virginia Chamber Orchestra, Virginia Opera Association, Inc., Voce Inc., Washington Balalaika Society, Washington West International Film Festival, and Workhouse Arts Foundation.
Operating support grants provide funds for the basic operation of arts organizations in Fairfax County in recognition of the valuable programs and services they provide to County residents. To learn more about the Arts Council’s grant programs, visit http://artsfairfax.org/grants.