HomeMy WebLinkAboutCultural Affairs Departmental Budget PresentationCity of Virginia Beach
Proposed FY 2026-27
Department of Cultural Affairs
Emily Labows, Director of Cultural Affairs
April 28, 2026
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Trends & Issues
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•With 20% of admission taxes dedicated to arts funding, the City has established a
stable, long-term investment in arts and culture.
•These funds support a coordinated portfolio of initiatives designed to strengthen the
entire cultural ecosystem.
•Individual Artists Support Grant Program, Creative Neighborhoods Grant Program,
Performing Arts Partnership Grant Program, Sustainability Grant for Large Virginia
Beach-Based Arts Institutions, Large Scale Temporary Public Art Program
Expansion of Arts
and Culture
Grants
•The Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission is a City Council -appointed body
of 11 members, which awards three types of grants each fiscal year:
1.Project Grants
2.Leadership & Organizational Development Grants
3.Community Cultural Grants
Virginia Beach
Arts & Humanities
Commission
Grants
Trends & Issues – Continued
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Key Accomplishments
•Francis Land House restoration and reopening
•Completion of the City’s Land Acknowledgment Statement
•Launch and implementation of new Arts Dedication grant programs
Upcoming Major Initiatives
•Historic Kempsville public art initiative: Development of a significant site-specific
public art project reflecting Kempsville’s history and strengthening placemaking in
one of the City’s oldest communities
•Artwork to improve the appearance of the Rosemont Road underpass
•Interactive public art funded through Arts Dedication
Major Budget Changes - MOCA
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•With Virginia MOCA’s relocating from a City-
owned facility, the City will no longer be
obligated to reimburse the museum’s utility
costs.
•The elimination of this obligation reduced
$75,000 from the Cultural Affairs budget
Virginia MOCA
Building
Transition –
($75,000)
Major Budget Changes – Arts and Culture
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•Increased dedicated funding for arts and culture - $273,450
•Council direction is needed on how to best allocate the additional funds
resulting from dedication increase, and updates to personnel, and removal of
one-time costs
The current allocation is as follows:
Allocated Dedication Funding Amount
Personnel/Operating Supplies $191,001
Public Art and Placemaking $300,886
Additional Funds to Arts and Humanities Commission for Project Grants $245,777
Creative Neighborhoods, Individual Artists & Performing Arts Partnerships Grants $250,000
Large Arts Organization and Sustainability Grants $755,000
Non-Allocated Funds - Reserve $425,427
Total $2,168,091
Questions?
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