Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) Constituent Feedback Survey

Thank you for participating in the Virginia Commission for the Arts 2025 Constituent Feedback Survey! Your feedback is vital in shaping the VCA’s future programs and services that support arts organizations, artists, and communities across Virginia. This brief, anonymous survey will help inform the use of the VCA’s Arts Fund — an additional funding stream supported by revenue from Virginia’s Specialty Arts License Plate and state tax contributions — and support the implementation of our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan.
Section 1: About You
1. What is your role or affiliation?*

Non-profit arts organization representativeFor-profit organization representativeCommunity organization representativeIndividual ArtistEducator / Teaching artistLocal arts agency representativeGovernment / Municipality representativeUniversity / College representativePK-12 school (public/private) representativeArts advocate / supporterPerforming EnsembleOther
2. What category best describes your institution or organization?*

Performing Group (Community, Youth, College / University)Art Museum / Other MuseumGallery / Exhibit SpaceCinemaCultural Series OrganizationLiterary Magazine / Independent PressFair / FestivalArts Center / School of the Arts / Arts Camp / Arts InstituteElementary / Middle / Secondary SchoolCollege / UniversityLibraryLocal / State / Federal Government (Executive, Judicial, Legislative)Historical SocietyHumanities CouncilFoundationSenior CenterHealth Care FacilityCorrectional InstitutionReligious OrganizationSocial Services OrganizationN/A Individual ArtistOther
3. What is your primary art form or focus?*

DanceMusicOpera / Musical TheatreTheatreVisual ArtsDesign ArtsCraftsPhotographyMedia ArtsLiteratureFolklife / Traditional ArtsHumanitiesMultidisciplinaryNon-Arts / Non-HumanitiesOther
4. What is your primary location? Refer to the map and provide your region number below.
Primary Location*
5. What is your annual budget?*

Under $50,000$50,000 - $150,000$150,000 - $500,000$500,000 - $1 millionOver $1 millionNot applicable / individual artist
6. How familiar are you with the current programs and services offered by the Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA)?*

Very familiarSomewhat familiarNot very familiarNot at all familiar
7. Have you ever received a grant from the VCA?*

YesNoPlan to applyNot applicable
Section 2: Current Challenges Facing Artists and Arts Organizations
8. Artists - What are your top 3 current challenges? *If you are an arts organization, please skip to the next question.

Financial Barriers (e.g., limited access to funding or paid opportunities, income instability, lack of patrons or paid residencies, challenges with self-funding your work)Quality of Life (e.g., lack of access to health insurance, childcare, housing, or limited time for creative work due to other responsibilities)Facilities (e.g., limited availability of affordable studio, rehearsal, or performance spaces)Visibility (e.g., difficulty promoting or showcasing your work, feeling undervalued by institutions or the public)Career Advancement (e.g., limited access to professional networks, mentorships, or training opportunities)Other
9. Arts Organizations - What are your top 3 current challenges?

Financial & Resource Challenges (e.g., funding sustainability, rising costs, grant access)Audience Engagement (e.g., shifting audience behaviors, outreach difficulties)Workforce & Leadership (e.g., staff burnout, equitable wages, leadership succession)Facilities & Infrastructure (e.g., space affordability, aging equipment)Marketing and Visibility (e.g., reaching new audiences, public perception)Technology & Innovation (e.g., adapting to digital trends, cybersecurity risks)Regulatory & Compliance (e.g., changing policies, reporting requirements)Networking & Collaboration (e.g., finding partners, cross-sector connections)Legal & Contract Issues (e.g., contract negotiation, intellectual property concerns)Other
10. What barriers, if any, have prevented you or your organization from applying for VCA support or participating in programs? (Select all that apply)*

Lack of information about opportunitiesApplication process is too complexEligibility restrictionsChallenges meeting match or support documentation requirementsLack of capacity / time to applyLack of grant writing experienceLanguage or accessibility barriersNo barriers experiencedOther
Section 3: Support Needs
11. What types of support would be most helpful to you right now? (Check all that apply)*

Technical assistance / capacity building supportEducational programming supportOperating support, special project, or emergency grantsProfessional development or training (e.g., workshops, webinars)Networking and peer support opportunitiesAdvocacy and policy supportAccess to shared marketing or promotional supportOther
12. If you selected professional development above, what is your preferred format?

Virtual sessions throughout the yearIn-person statewide arts conference (1 day)In-person statewide arts conference (1.5 days)In-person local / regional sessions with VCA supportTechnical assistance grants for professional development (on your own)Other
13. If you would attend a statewide arts conference, which month would you prefer?*

February 2026March 2026October 2026Unlikely to attendOther
14. If you selected unlikely to attend, what are your barriers for attendance?

0/125
Section 4: Additional Feedback (optional)
15. What is one insight, concern, or idea you'd like to share that could help the VCA better support artists or arts organizations across Virginia?

0/125
Thank you for your valuable time and input! Your feedback will help shape our future programs and services to better support the arts across Virginia.
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Section 1: About You

Section 2: Current Challenges Facing Artists and Arts Organizations

Section 3: Support Needs

Section 4: Additional Feedback (optional)