Front Royal Town Council asked to support the Arts

Susan Arico, of Blue Ridge Singers, responds to Town Council. Photo and video by Mark Williams, Royal Examiner.

At the March 4, 2019 Town Council Work Session the Virginia Commission of the Arts Creative Communities Partnership Grant Application for the Blue Ridge Arts Council, Front Royal Oratorio Society and Blue Ridge Singers was brought before the Council.

The Virginia Commission of the Arts (VCA) Creative Communities Partnership Grant is a grant to encourage local governments to support the arts. The Town has participated in the VCA Creative Communities Partnership Grant (formerly Local Government Challenge Grant) since 1988. At that time the grant from VCA was a maximum of $5,000 contingent upon a 50% match by the Town.

The Blue Ridge Arts Council (BRAC) was the only organization that submitted a request and participated in the grant.

In 2014, the Front Royal Oratorio Society submitted a request of $500. At that time Council approved both requests with BRAC receiving $4,500 + 50% ($9,000) match and Front Royal Oratorios Society receiving $500 + 50% ($1,000) match.

In 2017, the maximum allowed from VCA, was reduced to $4,500.

This year Council has received three requests for the grant. They are from BRAC ($4,500), Front Royal Oratorio Society ($500) and Blue Ridge Singers ($500). The amount of assistance allowed by VCA is $4,500, subject to available funds; therefore, if Council approves the submission of the application, the application is approved by VCA and Council approves the match, the funds will be distributed as follows:

• BRAC ($7,000)
• Front Royal Oratorio Society ($1,000)
• Blue Ridge Singers ($1,000)

One application is filed by Town Staff. Deadline is April 1, 2019. Council is requested to authorize staff to submit the application through formal approval at their March 11, 2019 meeting.

Royal Examiner’s camera was there:

Click here to download additional information from applicants.[spacer height=”10px”]