Foundation for Roanoke Valley has  launched “A Community Arts & Culture Initiative”, a three-year, $300,000 grant program to benefit arts and culture organizations in the cities of Roanoke and Salem, and the counties of Botetourt, Craig, Franklin and Roanoke. This initiative, funded through some of the Foundation’s Community Catalyst Funds, will provide grants to non-profit organizations based on two objectives: 1) Educate. Inspire. Create. and 2) Arts at Work.

Through Educate. Inspire. Create. the Foundation is committing $180,000 over the next three years to lift up and highlight the critical importance of arts and cultural programs to the educational process. Beginning in 2013, the Foundation will be looking to enrich the experiences of pre-K through 12th grade students of public and private schools within the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, and the counties of Botetourt, Craig, Franklin and Roanoke. These grants will specifically make possible the following: 1) to provide for artist-in-residence or master classes within schools conducted by a notable artist, 2) to provide for the purchase and use of innovative technologies or nontraditional equipment that will bring cutting edge classroom arts experiences, and 3) to provide for in-school performances and programs built around a specific educational topic or Standards of Learning that are conducted by or in conjunction with local arts and cultural nonprofits.

In addition to the role played by arts and culture in the educational process, they also play a very critical role in being drivers of economic development. Through Arts at Work, the Foundation is committing $120,000 over the next three years to specifically make possible the following: 1) to support the production of public art work, 2) to support the production of community-wide arts and cultural events and performances, and 3) to support bringing major arts and cultural exhibits to the Roanoke Valley.

Alan Ronk, Executive Director of Foundation for Roanoke Valley noted, “While supporting arts and cultural programs has long been one of the Foundation’s focus areas, we look forward to this new initiative and seeing the many creative and effective programs and ideas that will be generated for the community.”

Grants will be determined via a competitive process through the Foundation’s online grant application process. Organizations are encouraged to visit www.foundationforroanokevalley.org for additional requirements and application instructions.

Foundation for Roanoke Valley, the region’s community foundation, currently administers over 250 named endowment funds on behalf of the community. Individuals interested in establishing their own personal or family legacy through an unrestricted endowment, and arts and culture fund, or any of the many other types of endowment funds offered by the Foundation are encouraged to call (540) 885-0204 or visit the Foundation’s website.

–Michelle Ebberly, FRV