A Guide to the Records of the Virginia Commission for the Arts, 1968-2022 #36089, 37698, 42160, 43771, 44617, 45445, 51953, 53791

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Records of the Virginia Commission for the Arts, 1968-2022. [cite specific dates and accession used], State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va.

Acquisition Information

Accession 36089, accessioned 6 November 1998.

Accession 37698, accessioned 13 October 2000.

Accession 42160, accessioned 9 September 2005.

Accession 43771, accessioned 30 May 2008.

Accession 44617, accessioned 1 December 2009.

Accession 45445, accessioned 14 March 2011.

Accession 51953, accessioned 29 December 2016.

Accession 53791, accessioned 9 January 2023.

Processing Information

This collection has been processed using minimal standards: the original arrangement has been maintained, the container list is brief and simple, the records have not been refoldered and the fasteners have not been removed.

Historical Information

The Virginia Commission for the Arts and Humanities was established as an agency of state government in 1968 and is mandated to support and stimulate excellence in all the arts, in their full cultural and ethnic diversity, and to make the arts accessible to all Virginians. Toward this end, it provides financial assistance for arts activities and information/advisory services to artists, arts organizations, and others interested in the arts. The Commission’s funds come from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The name of the agency was changed to the Virginia Commission for the Arts (Record Group 152) in 1979.

The agency is guided by thirteen commissioners appointed to five year terms by the Governor and confirmed by the General Assembly. At least one commissioner is appointed from each congressional district. The Commission employs a staff to implement programs and policies and is also assisted by several advisory panels.

Major issues of interest to the commission include artistic quality, access to the arts, cultural diversity, assistance to individual artists, and development of arts organizations. Six Regional Advisory Panels, the Arts Education Advisory Panel, the Touring Advisory Panel, and Artist Fellowship Panels review and evaluate applications for grant funds with these major issues in mind. These grant funds go toward general operating support, technical assistance, local government challenge, touring assistance, artist fellowships, writers programs, residency programs, teacher assistance programs, and arts curriculum development. In addition to grants, the commission also provides information and advisory services.

Scope and Content

Records of the Virginia Commission for the Arts include correspondence, subject files, grants lists, and minutes that document the planning, direction, and implementation of agency programs and are evidence of actions and policy decisions. Also includes board books/packets given to board members each board meeting. Note that there is some duplication between accessions.

Accession 37698, Delmarva Folklife Project records, 1997-1999, inncludes the following reports: Final report for Fieldwork Year 1: October 1997-September 1998; Final Report for Fieldwork Year 2: November 1998-October 1999; Latino Cultural Survey, 1998-1999; and Hispanic Arts and Narratives, Fieldwork, January-July 1999.

Accession 45445: Minds Wide Open Open Program files, 2010, document the Women in the Arts program activities sponsored by the Minds Wide Open Program of the Virginia Commission for the Arts. This statewide celebration included special public programs and events including plays, choreography, compositions, and exhibitions of painting, films, and photography, etc., that were held across the Commonwealth to honor the contributions of women in the arts. Records include the final report of the program and several binders of news releases, news clippings, photographs, brochures and programs related to Women in the Arts events.

Accession 51953 includes Board packets, 1968-1971, 1973-1974, 1990-1995 Jan, 1997-2015; Publications and Tour Directories, 1992-2014; Press releases and press clippings, 1984-1992; and Correspondence and subject files, 1970-2014, including information on bylaws and policy, board committees, strategic planning, Arts in Virginia study, Women’s Project, Minds Wide Open Program, Virginians for the Arts, Writers in Virginia Program, Governor’s Arts Awards, Go Fish Project, Heritage Awards, and National Endowment for the Arts partnership agreements.

Accession 53791 (2.5 cu. ft.) includes Board books/packets, 2014-2022; Minutes, 1978-2000; Awards files, 2000-2009.

Contents List

Series I. Records , 1968-2015 .

Grants and Minutes, 1968-1998 (Accession 36089) .

1 cu. ft. (1 box)

This accession is arranged in chronological order.
- Box 1
  Listing of grants, 1969-1994 .
- Box 1
  Minutes, 1968-1998 .
DelMarva Folklife Project Records, 1997-1999 (Accession 37698) .

.1 cu. ft. (1 box)

This accession is arranged in chronological order.
- Box 1
  Delmarva Folklife Project records - Final report for Fieldwork Year 1, 1997 Oct-1998 Sept .
- Box 1
  Delmarva Folklife Project records - Final Report for Fieldwork Year 2, 1998 Nov-1999 Oct .
- Box 1
  Delmarva Folklife Project records - Latino Cultural Survey, 1998-1999 .
- Box 1
  Delmarva Folklife Project records - Hispanic Arts and Narratives, Fieldwork, 1999 Jan-July .
Grants and Minutes, 1994-2005 (Accession 42160) .

1 cu. ft. (1 box)

This accession is arranged in chronological order.
- Box 1
  Listing of grants, 1994-2005 .
- Box 1
  Minutes, 1998-2005 .
Grants and Minutes, 2005-2007 (Accession 43771) .

.35 cu. ft. (1 box)

This accession is arranged in chronological order.
- Box 1
  Listing of grants, 2005-2007 .
- Box 1
  Minutes, 2005-2007 .
Grants and Minutes, 2007-2009 (Accession 44617) .

.35 cu. ft. (1 box)

This accession is arranged in chronological order.
- Box 1
  Listing of grants, 2007-2009 .
- Box 1
  Minutes, 2007-2009 .
Minds Wide Open Program records, 2010 (Accession 45445) .

2 cu. ft. (2 boxes)

This accession is arranged in no discernable order.
- Box 1
  Minds Wide Open Program files, 2010 .
- Box 2
  Minds Wide Open Program files, 2010 .
Records (Minutes, board books and Correspondence and subject files), 1968-2015 (Accession 51953) .

25 cu. ft. (25 boxes)

This accession is arranged in no discernable order.
- Box 1
  Board books and minutes, 2014-2015 .
- Box 1a
  Board books and minutes, 2012-2013 .
- Box 2
  Board books and minutes, 2009-2011 .
- Box 3
  Board books and minutes, 2007-2008 .
- Box 3a
  Board books and minutes, 2005-2006 .
- Box 4
  Board books and minutes, 2003-2004 .
- Box 5
  Board books and minutes, 2001-2002 .
- Box 5a
  Board books and minutes, 2000-2001 .
- Box 6
  Board books and minutes, 1998-1999 .
- Box 7
  Board books and minutes, 1992-1995 Jan, 1997 .
- Box 8
  Board books and minutes, 1968-1971, 1973-1974, 1990-1991 .
- Box 9
  Tour Directories (Dance, Music, Opera, Theater), 2006-2009 .
- Box 10
  Tour Directories - Notebooks, 2013-2014 .
- Box 10
  Tour Publications, 2005-2013 .
- Box 10
  Tour Publications - Art Works for VA, 2006-2014 .
- Box 11
  Tour Publications, Directories, Guidelines and Brochures - Governor's Arts Awards, 1992-2002 .
- Box 12
  Tour Publications - Guidelines, 1992-2002 .
- Box 13
  Writers in Virginia, 1995-2000 .
- Box 13
  Minds Wide Open - Women in the Arts, 2010 .
- Box 14
  National Endowment for the Arts Partnership Agreements, 2006-2011 .
- Box 15
  National Endowment for the Arts Partnership Agreements, 2002-2006 .
- Box 16
  The Arts in Virginia - Study, 1979 .
- Box 16
  VALC Study Committee, 1978-1979 .
- Box 16
  Minutes, 1973-1974 .
- Box 16
  Governor's Arts Awards, 2000-2001 .
- Box 16
  Virginians for the Arts, 1992 .
- Box 16
  Budget cuts, 2010FY .
- Box 16
  Legislation, 2010 .
- Box 16
  Office of the Governor, 2002-2006 .
- Box 16
  Office of the Governor, 2006-2010 .
- Box 16
  Office of the Governor, 2010-2014 .
- Box 16
  Travel and the Arts, 1970 .
- Box 16
  Old Dominion Symphony Council, 1971-1972 .
- Box 17
  Women's Project, 1982-1984 .
- Box 17
  The Arts in Virginia Study, 1979 .
- Box 17
  Bylaws, 1993 .
- Box 17
  Policy/Budget Committee, 2005-2010 .
- Box 17
  Legislative Committee, 1993-1997 .
- Box 17
  Lewis House, 1983-1990 .
- Box 18
  Task Force on Local Arts Agencies, 1995-1996 .
- Box 18
  Governor's Arts Awards, 2000-2001, 2008 .
- Box 18
  Virginians for the Arts, 1992, 1996-1997, 1999-2001, 2003-2005 .
- Box 19
  Commission meeting notes, 2008-2009 .
- Box 19
  Public Relations workshop, 2005 .
- Box 19
  Strategic Planning, 2004-2007 .
- Box 19
  Virginia Symphony, 2010 .
- Box 19
  Go Fish, 2001 .
- Box 19
  The Fourth R, 2000 .
- Box 19
  Majors, 2007-2008, 2010 .
- Box 19
  Heritage Awards, 2009 .
- Box 20
  Board meetings, 2007 .
- Box 20
  Minds Wide Open, 2012 .
- Box 20
  Minds Wide Open - First Ladies, 2009-2012 .
- Box 20
  Policy Commitee, 2007 .
- Box 21
  Press Releases, 1987-1989 .
- Box 22
  Press Releases and other historical information, 1984-1992 .
Records (Board books, minutes, awards files), 1978-2020 (Accession 53791) .

2.5 cu. ft. (8 boxes)

This accession is arranged in chronological order within type of record.
- Box 1 Folder 1
  Board book, 2014 Mar 26 .
- Box 1 Folder 2
  Board book, 2014 Oct 1 .
- Box 1 Folder 3
  Board book, 2015 Mar 25 .
- Box 1 Folder 4
  Board book (Part I), 2015 June 10-11 .
- Box 1 Folder 5
  Board book (Part II), 2015 June 10-11 .
- Box 1 Folder 6
  Board book, 2015 Sept 30 .
- Box 1 Folder 7
  Board book, 2015 Dec 8-9 .
- Box 1 Folder 8
  Board book, 2016 Mar 30 .
- Box 2 Folder 1
  Board book (Part I), 2016 June 15-16 .
- Box 2 Folder 2
  Board book (Part II), 2016 June 15-16 .
- Box 2 Folder 3
  Board book, 2016 Sept 28-29 .
- Box 2 Folder 4
  Board book, 2016 Dec 8 .
- Box 2 Folder 5
  Board book, 2017 Apr 4-5 .
- Box 2 Folder 6
  Board book, 2017 June 14-15 .
- Box 2 Folder 7
  Board book, 2017 Sept 28 .
- Box 2 Folder 8
  Board book, 2017 Dec 7 .
- Box 2 Folder 9
  Board book, 2018 Apr 4 .
- Box 3 Folder 1
  Board book (Part I), 2018 June 13-14 .
- Box 3 Folder 2
  Board book (Part II), 2018 June 13-14 .
- Box 3 Folder 3
  Board book, 2018 Sept 27 .
- Box 3 Folder 4
  Board book, 2018 Dec 6 .
- Box 3 Folder 5
  Board book, 2019 Mar 27-28 .
- Box 3 Folder 6
  Board book (Part I), 2019 June 10-11 .
- Box 3 Folder 7
  Board book (Part II), 2019 June 10-11 .
- Box 3 Folder 8
  Board book, 2019 Oct 2 .
- Box 3 Folder 9
  Board book, 2019 Oct 3 .
- Box 4 Folder 1
  Board book, 2019 Dec 12 .
- Box 4 Folder 2
  Board book, 2020 Mar 19 .
- Box 4 Folder 3
  Board book (Part I), 2020 June 16-17 .
- Box 4 Folder 4
  Board book (Part II), 2020 June 16-17 .
- Box 4 Folder 5
  Board book, 2020 Oct 1 .
- Box 4 Folder 6
  Board book, 2020 Dec 9-10 .
- Box 4 Folder 7
  Board book, 2021 Mar 24-25 .
- Box 4 Folder 8
  Board book, 2021 June 16-17 .
- Box 5 Folder 1
  Board book, 2021 Oct 6 .
- Box 5 Folder 2
  Board book, 2021 Oct 7 .
- Box 5 Folder 3
  Board book, 2021 Dec 8-9 .
- Box 5 Folder 4
  Board book (Part I), 2022 June 15-16 .
- Box 5 Folder 5
  Board book (Part II), 2022 June 15-16 .
- Box 6 Folder 1
  Minutes, 1978 .
- Box 6 Folder 2
  Minutes, 1979-1980 .
- Box 6 Folder 3
  Minutes, 1981-1982 .
- Box 6 Folder 4
  Minutes, 1983-1984 .
- Box 6 Folder 5
  Minutes, 1985-1986 .
- Box 6 Folder 6
  Minutes, 1987-1988 .
- Box 6 Folder 7
  Minutes, 1989-1990 .
- Box 6 Folder 8
  Minutes, 1991-1992 .
- Box 6 Folder 9
  Minutes, 1993-1994 .
- Box 6 Folder 10
  Minutes, 1995-1996 .
- Box 6 Folder 11
  Minutes, 1997-1998 .
- Box 6 Folder 12
  Minutes, 1999-2000 .
- Box 7 Folder 1
  Minutes, 2001-2002 .
- Box 7 Folder 2
  Minutes, 2003-2004 .
- Box 7 Folder 3
  Minutes, 2005-2006 .
- Box 7 Folder 4
  Minutes, 2007-2008 .
- Box 7 Folder 5
  Minutes, 2009-2010 .
- Box 7 Folder 6
  Minutes, 2011 .
- Box 8 Folder 1
  Governor's Awards for the Arts, 2000 .
- Box 8 Folder 2
  Governor's Awards for the Arts, 2000 .
- Box 8 Folder 3
  Governor's Awards for the Arts, 2008 .
- Box 8 Folder 4
  Governor's Awards for the Arts, 2008 .
- Box 8 Folder 5
  Virginia Heritage Awards, 2009 .