Virginia Commission for the Arts

Virginia Commission for the Arts otorgó una subvención de $77,500 a la Creative Aging, Creative Futures

Virginia Commission for the Arts otorgó una subvención de $77,500 a la Creative Aging, Creative Futures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 4, 2026

CONTACTO:
Virginia Commission for the Arts
Colleen Dugan Messick, Directora Ejecutiva
colleen.messick@vca.virginia.gov

RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) is excited to announce that it has been awarded a $77,500 Creative Aging, Creative Futures grant – a joint initiative of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy. The VCA is proud to be among 28 state arts agencies selected nationwide for this award, which supports the expansion of high-quality creative aging programs for older adults.

As part of this effort, the VCA forges a new partnership with fellow state agency, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), to advance shared goals in creative aging programming for older Virginians. Through this collaboration, the VCA will be able to leverage state-wide data on aging, gain content area expertise, and connect with an established network of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) across the Commonwealth.

“Creative aging changes lives and DARS is proud to partner with VCA. Older Virginians will not only engage in the arts, they’ll also create works that inspire others, sparking a ripple effect of joy and connection” – Kiersten Ware, Deputy Commissioner, Aging Services, DARS

The VCA will also partner with arts service provider, ArtsConnect Virginia (formerly Tidewater Arts Outreach), which will lead creative aging programming at Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) across the Commonwealth. Guided by its mission to bring joy, enhance well-being, and foster lifelong learning for older and isolated adults, ArtsConnect Virginia brings deep expertise to this initiative. “ArtsConnect Virginia brings over 20 years of experience delivering arts interventions that improve the lives of older adults. This collaboration fuels our commitment to creative aging. Centering older adults in arts and culture work is essential, and this effort helps move that goal forward.” – Kate Powell, Executive Director, ArtsConnect Virginia

“Through this special funding and newly cultivated partnerships, the VCA is committed to increasing arts access for older adults, fostering meaningful connections, and providing professional development opportunities for artists across the Commonwealth,” says VCA Executive Director, Colleen Dugan Messick. In alignment with the VCA’s 2025-2028 strategic plan priorities, this initiative will bridge the gap between the wealth of resources and expertise offered by our national partners, fellow state agencies, and the arts sector – positioning the VCA as both an advocate and a connector for creative aging in Virginia.

Logotipo ancho de la NASAA 300x55 1      E.a Michelson Logotype Horizontal Full Color 300x55 1

Acerca de la Virginia Commission for the Arts

Establecido en 1968, la Virginia Commission for the Arts es la agencia estatal dedicada a invertir en las artes en toda la Commonwealth of Virginia. Con financiación de la Asamblea General de Virginia y el National Endowment for the Arts, la Comisión concede subvenciones a artistas, organizaciones artísticas, instituciones educativas, organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro, educadores y gobiernos locales y tribales.

Para más información, visita www.vca.virginia.gov. Sigue a la Comisión en Instagram @virginiaarts, Facebook @VirginiaArts y LinkedIn en Virginia Commission for the Arts, y suscríbete al boletín de la Virginia Commission for the Arts.