Virginians for the Arts (VFTA), in partnership with Dominion Resources, is seeking applicants from the Shenandoah Valley to apply for its fifth annual Dominion ArtStars Awards.
The 2015 awards will celebrate arts and education in the community, recognizing arts organizations that best demonstrate and advance the synergy of arts and education. These awards emphasize the contributions of arts organizations through their partnership and collaboration with schools across the Commonwealth.
ShenanArts Theatre in Stanton was one of the most recent winners of one of the Shining Star Awards, for its extrodinary impact on the community; ability to successfully develop community partnerships as well as business, legislative, and loal community support; contributions to K-12 education; and demonstrated sustained excellence through the years.
“The Dominion ArtStars Awards offer arts organizations in Virginia the opportunity to be recognized on a statewide platform,” said VFTA President John “Butch” Davies, III. “We are grateful for Dominion’s continued partnership with VFTA to celebrate the meaningful social and economic impact of the arts and appreciate Dominion’s commitment to helping the environment, critical community needs, and education.”
“Dominion is pleased to partner with VFTA in honoring these exceptional arts programs across the Commonwealth,” said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Foundation. “We value their contributions toward building vibrant communities and driving a stronger economy.”
Applicants may select one program serving Pre-K through 12th Grade students for consideration in the following categories:
- Shining Star Award ($5,000). VFTA and Dominion will present one Shining Star Award to a Virginia organization with (i) a qualifying arts and education program in existence for six or more years and (ii) an annual budget of $1 million or higher.
- Regional Shining Star Awards ($5,000 each). VFTA and Dominion will present five regional Shining Star Awards, one in each region to an arts organization with (i) a qualifying arts and education program in existence for six or more years and (ii) with an annual budget of less than $1 million.
- Rising Star Awards ($1,000 each). VFTA and Dominion will present two Rising Star Awards, each to a Virginia organization with a qualifying arts and education program in existence for three to five years, regardless of annual budgets.
Virginians for the Arts will accept entries beginning April 16th and ending June 19th by email at [email protected]. Applicants must be 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations headquartered in Virginia. Judging will occur over the summer and award winners will be announced in September with official recognition to follow. Entry forms are available at www.VaForArts.org.
About Virginians for the Arts: Now in its twenty-second year, Virginians for the Arts’ membership includes artists, arts patrons, and arts organizations. VFTA’s mission since its establishment in 1992 has been to preserve the arts in the Commonwealth of Virginia by advocating for increased public funding for Virginia’s arts industry.
The $50,000 contribution for the Dominion ArtStars Awards has been made through the Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources, Inc. (NYSE: D), the parent company of Dominion Virginia Power.
About the Dominion Foundation: Dominion (NYSE: D), is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy. The Dominion Foundation is dedicated to improving the physical, social and economic well-being of the communities served by Dominion companies. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, support education and promote community vitality. For more information about Dominion, visit www.Dom.com.
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