Grant Recipients

Enriching the Arts in Our Community

Since 2001, Arts Council of the Valley (ACV) has awarded more than $498,300 to support community-based initiatives in the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County through its Advancing the Arts grant program. These funds are awarded to organizations, art educators, and artists working in the visual, performing, and literary arts. Catch a glimpse below of the myriad ways past grant recipients have utilized funding to expand and enhance local arts experiences!

Advancing the Arts
Grant Recipients

Creative Inspiration

Fall 2023

Amber Linde of ArteInMovimento: Walking Art, a collaborative performance where the choreography of dancers showcases renditions of the four seasons by local visual artists.
Robert Mott of Big 3 Music: Set My Spirit Free: Jazz Music’s Soul Connection, a Black History Month program of music, stories and poetry to be presented free of charge at Eastern Mennonite School on Sunday, Feb 18, 2024.
Pat Augsburger and Phyllis Ressler: Shenandoah Valley Food Stories, an exhibition of portraits painted by Augsburger, accompanied by food stories collected from more than 50 Valley residents by Phyllis Ressler.
Nathan Horst: Safe Art, providing a safety upgrade to prevent hazards related to outdoor firing of kilns using liquid propane gas in an urban environment.
Alex Kent: True Love Stays, a short narrative film exploring the complicated experience of grief from the standpoint of a young woman losing her beloved pet.
Sarah Phillips: The Valleys Split Apart: A Poetry Cycle, an essay project involving writing and photography based on time in Shenandoah National Park.
Izaiah Smith-Dugger: Development of Poetry Career, showcasing the trials, tribulations, and everyday struggles of poverty while in pursuit of freedom.

Spring 2023

Jeffrey Guinn: Ink Drops, a new mural in downtown Harrisonburg highlighting the natural landscape of the area, local activities and people, as well as the history of the property.
Aili Huber of Silk Moth Stage: sponsor accessible tickets for underserved populations to attend the world premier of Wonder of Our Stage, a play about a Renaissance-era automaton trying to be human.
Rachel FitzGerald: recording Spectator Bird Sings Songs for the Very Young and holding an album release show.
Rebecca Porter: an inclusive music video, Rebecca Porter Music Video.

Fall 2022

Ellie de Waal and Dancers: Untitled: A Collaborative Performance, a collaborative performance showcase with Cumulus Dance and Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative.
Mandy Lawson of New Creation VA: Looking Good, World Changer Mural to create a fun social media destination for the nonprofit.
Mallory McKendry of The Hot Mamas: The Hot Mamas Record, a two-pronged project designed to help the band record a live concert at a Harrisonburg venue and hold an all-female songwriters contest.
Viktoriya Samoylov: Her Wounded Soul, a visual art exhibition exploring the impact of the current Ukrainian war on individuals.

Spring 2022

Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole: Bonhoeffer: Cell 39, a multi-media performance on the life and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Yi-Ping Chen of Caravanserai Music: Music for Latinx Community.
Brian Bratton: The Brian Bratton Story: From Homeless to Selling Homes.
Aili Huber of Silk Moth Stage: Give Us Good, a new magical realist play exploring mental illness through a metaphorical lens.
Darla Stanley of Ensemble InterTwining: Evelyn/Evelyn, a dance-opera video designed to inspire conversation, broaden understanding, and encourage generosity around current issues of evolving identity.
Yasir Nabeel Razak: for his band Nabeel to create an Iraqi Diaspora project album demonstrating the diverse musical perspectives in Harrisonburg and encouraging greater immigrant participation in the visual and performing arts.
Janet Hostetter of the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir: The Shapes of Home, a YouTube video combining the musical talents of the choir with the creative talents of Australian composer Dan Walker and Pennsylvania quilt artist Nancy Hershberger.

Fall 2021

Corrie Lynn Green: The Appalachian Project, a collection of original mountain ballad songs rooted in the perspective of passing musical narrative and instrumentation from one generation to the next.
Ben Schlabach: Harrisonburg Music Archive Website Development.
Nicholas Gekoskie: MACROCK Music Festival.
Cara Walton: Danse Macabre, a series of photographs exploring the historical concept of the Danse Macabre and how it translates into today’s pandemic world.

Spring 2021

Bob Adamek: Enhancing My Wildlife Photography.
Gene Bowlen: Bringing the Artist Forward, providing a virtual public portal for Shenandoah Valley musicians to use for online performances.
David Brennan: A Cyborg’s Father, to compose a series of flash essays exploring various aspects of medical dependence on machine technology.
Yi-Ping Chen of Caravanserai Music: Promoting Empathy Through the Arts, to conduct a video project depicting emotions of rejection and acceptance in Richard Dehmel’s poem Transfigured night, using Arnold Schoenberg’s string sextet of the same name, and visual works by local artists.
Ivan C. Christo: Empire of Excellence, an eight-episode virtual variety show, with live musical performances, interviews, sketch comedy, dimension hopping, puppetry, and interaction with the online audience.
Tyler Kauffman: Nest Realty Mural, to paint a 210-square-foot mural on the retaining wall near the renovated Nest Realty building.
Mike Simpson and Becky Glick of Simply Folk Music: Songs for Seniors, offering musical programs for residents at area nursing homes and retirement communities.
William Snyder, III: installations of The Blue Rider and #BigVespa sculptures in front of Smith House Galleries in Harrisonburg and The Oliver Art House in Broadway.
Jenna Bryant, Anne Paulus, and Shauna Frantz: TRYST in Plain Site, to conduct experimental dance workshops and create a public, site-responsive dance performance in downtown Harrisonburg.

Fall 2020

Ellie de Waal: Embodying Emily: A Dance Film.
Jeff Guinn: Language of Love.
Sue Ryan: Enchanted Garden.
Darla Stanley of Ensemble InterTwining: Running Absence.
Erich Stem: Music about the Shenandoah Valley.

Spring 2020

David Brennan: The Panic Architect.
Erica Cavanagh: HOME.
Kyle Kirby: Downtown Harrisonburg Art Guide.
Robin Lyttle: to support a Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project performance of Not Made for This: A Story of Fearlessness, Determination, and the Journey to Freedom, by local playwright Brianna Madden-Olivares.
Havi Wingfield: Learn to Sing with the Birds.

Fall 2019

Christopher and Maria Clymer Kurtz, for the purpose of creating an album related to many aspects of life.
Susan V. Facknitz for the completion of a manuscript of poems.
Barbara Camph for OASIS with the purpose of creating and installing a large mosaic artwork to celebrate Earth Day Every Day of Harrisonburg.

Spring 2019

Adrie Voors: Art to Complement Composting, to provide a work of art at an outdoor public market compost drop-off site.
Cara Walters: Pantheon, photographs of people portraying ancient gods.

Fall 2018

Monika Burkholder: The Making Space.
Deborah Pugh: The Keeper of Secret Selves.
Trent Wrangler: Musical Resistance with Leonard Cohen.

Spring 2018

Virginia Quilt Museum, Barbara Roadcap: Arts Meets History and Science.
Inside Out Theatre, Heidi Winters Vogel: Story-gathering with our neighbors, Stories in three mediums.

Fall 2017

The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir, Lorraine Campbell: On a Silent Night.
The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham, Inc., Heather Denman: Bridging the Gap of Rocktown Ringers.
Buck Gooter and Billy Brett: Buck Gooter Sound System.
Lara Ressler Horst: Musical Hands, Ice House Studios Photo Exhibition.
Scott Jost: Confluence: Rivers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Steven Thomas: Steve B.I.K.O. EP Project.

Spring 2017

Shaun White and Mike Grundman: A Good Blinder.

2012

James Madison University, Dr. Carl Donakowski
Wanchi Huang

Public Art Forward

Fall 2023

Ben Hughes and Andy Keeler: MODdisplays Building mural by artist Laura Thompson.

Arts for Education

Fall 2023

Nathan May of Good Company A Cappella: A Cappella Workshop, an opportunity for singers ages 13-18 to participate in a one-day vocal workshop culminating in an evening performance.
Anna Marie Smith: Sole Stories Workshop Series, an introduction to careers in Arts and Design for 7th and 8th grade students at Wilbur S. Pence Middle School.
Sarah Orem of Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley: Water Cycle Arts Integration Residency, allowing all public school third graders in Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County to enhance their science comprehension skills through the use of reading, improvisation, music, rhythm, movement, and choreography.

Spring 2023

Joseph Arbaugh of Lacey Spring Elementary School: More Than A Click with a Blick Printing Press; allowing students to work with collagraphs, monographs, dry-point etching, and linoleum block printing.
Jo Enke of Mountain View and Fulks Run Elementary Schools: Music A la Carte: A Cross Curricular Musical Storytelling Project for students in grades pre-K through 5 to compose and create sound stories based on children’s literature.
Megan Frantz Kaspar: Harrisonburg Songtuary, a group that promotes community singing through public song circles as well as gatherings for mentorship of potential song leaders.
Harriet Flynn, Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation: Art in the Park, a six-week summer series offering a variety of outdoor art projects that use nature as an inspiration for creativity.
Amanda Gookin, Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival: Book Notes, a storytelling hour at Massanutten Regional Library during the Shenandoah Bach Festival.
Leeanne Shepherd, Second Home Learning Center: a production of It’s The Hard Knock Life at Second Home.

Fall 2022

Trace Feng of MIMA Music: Band Together Harrisonburg, a collaborative songwriting program at the Explore More Discovery Museum, designed to provide a rich musical experience for K-12 participants and foster positive relationships within the community.
Winifred Yu: Ascend-Emotions. Ascend is an On the Road Collaborative afterschool program supporting students with disabilities. Students will create digital designs for magnetic tiles, key chains, and stickers, with a goal of recognizing and regulating emotions, as well as advocating for themselves when verbalization is difficult.
Kelly Snow of Explore More Discovery Museum in partnership with artist Wendy Lam: Youth Artist Mentorship Program, allowing local artists to work with small groups of students in a multi-session mentoring program. This unique art experience will allow students to engage with and understand the full creative process for a professional artist from beginning to end.

Spring 2022

Angie Clemens: Talking with the Chief: Learning About Native American Arts and Culture, to allow 820 Rockingham County Public Schools second graders to participate in a virtual presentation by Chief Brown of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian people.
Jane Crockett and Terry Wiita of the Shenandoah Valley Quilters Guild: Stronger Together, the guild’s biennial quilt show designed to educate, inspire, and entertain the public via a display of some 150 quilts constructed – using a variety of techniques – by guild members.
Amanda Gookin of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival: Book Notes, a musical storytelling hour featuring a reading by Dr. Joanne V. Gabbin, interwoven performances by five Bach Festival musicians, and opportunities for children to participate through dance and singalongs.
Bryanna Lyn Dean of Expressive Dance Studio in Elkton: Student Financial Aid and Program Scholarships, making it possible for students with financial need to learn proper dance technique while experiencing the art form’s spirit of play and creativity.
Chelsea Rowe: Beginner Jewelry Workshop, created to offer an introduction to the tools and techniques of jewelry and metalsmithing.

Fall 2021

J.R. Snow of Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley: Comic Artist Residency, allowing 500 Harrisonburg and Rockingham County public school students to work on murals in their schools.
Celeste R. Thomas of EMU/Multicultural Student Services: The Anne and Emmett Project, designed to create dialogue around the subjects of race, religion, oppression, healing and reconciliation through a combination of theater and a coinciding curated exhibit.
Carlene Lantz and Tammy May of Lacey Spring Elementary School: Artistry with Foundations in Literacy, created to expose students to diverse forms of visual art processes, dance styles, and musical instruments through impactful literature.
Leeanne Shepherd of Second Home Learning Center: A Tale as Old as Time: Second Home Learning Center Presents Beauty & the Beast.

Spring 2021

Rebecca Kenaga of Amplify Music: Gemeinschaft Home (Women’s Project) Amplified to develop a music enrichment class incorporating resident-led, project-based learning, music technology, and narrative-sharing through songwriting.

Fall 2020

Jessica Strawderman of Bluestone Elementary School: Embracing Identity & Singing the Mission: A School Songwriting Project
Maria Paz G. Esguerra of The Making Space: Open Studio programs and community art events.
David McCormick of Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival: Virtual Instrument Petting Zoo.
Leanne Shank of Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony: Old Music for a New Generation.

Spring 2020

Yi-Ping Chen of Caravanserai Music: Classical Connections Interactive Music Videos.
Jo Enke: Mountain View Elementary School’s Drumming with Mindfulness project to help students build everyday coping skills.
Tammy May of Lacey Spring Elementary School: Shape, Fire, and Cherish: A Kiln for Our Finished Works of Art.
Lydia Mix of River Bend Elementary School: Uke Can Do It! Strumming Up Fun in the Elementary Classroom.

Fall 2019

Heidi Jablonski: Inside Out PlaybackTheatre, to connect with intentional learning communities.
David McCormick: Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, for the purpose of educating children through an ‘Instrument Petting Zoo.’
Leeanne Shepherd: Second Home Learning Center, to provide an after-school theatre learning program for children who are at a socio-economic disadvantage.

Spring 2019

Natalie Doughty: Expressions of Home, involving K-12 music and art students and other community organizations to create awareness/benefit Central Habitat for Humanity.
The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham, Inc. (grant proposal submitted by Sara Harper): Small Group Music Therapy Program.

Fall 2018

John C. Meyers Elementary School, Angie Clements: Students as Songwriters.
Keister Elementary Music Department, Maggie Hagy: The Rhythm of Our Hearts.
Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, David McCormick: Instrumental Petting Zoo.
Peak Elementary School and Ottobine Elementary School, Christopher Michael: Raiders of the Lost Art.
Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music Program – Eastern Mennonite University, Sharon Miller: Baroque Festival Workshop.
Second Home Learning Center, Leeane Shepherd: Fly Away with Peter Pan to Second Home.

Spring 2018

W.H. Keister Elementary School Visual Arts, Mary Yoder-Anderson: Creativity 3D: Keister Artists Build.

Fall 2017

Lucy Simms Center, Monica Burkholder: The Making Space.
Shenandoah Art Mobile, Emily Reese: The Importance of Art from Youth Perspectives: a Mural.
Cub Run and Linville-Edom Elementary Schools, Robin W. Goble: The Art of Needlework.
Pleasant Valley and Plains Elementary Schools, Amerila Guido: Exploring Printmaking with Children.
Boys and Girls Club, Kristin Lewis: Boys and Girls Club Art Expansion Program.
Second Home Learning Center, Leeanne Shepherd: Follow the Yellow Brick Road.
John Ros: Professional Practice Intensive Practice for Arts.
Peak View and Lacey Springs Elementary Schools, Christopher G. Michael: Wall of Wood.
The Second Movement, David Perry: Socially Conscious Chamber Music.

Spring 2017

Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative, Jershua de Waal: Split.
Boys and Girls Club of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County: Youth and Teen Drumming Workshop.
Daniel Robinson: Kamra-E-Faoree Project.
Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Claudia Furlow: The Painting Collective.
Any Given Child Harrisonburg, J.R. Snow: Faces of Diversity with Artist Edwin Gil.

Fall 2016

Peak View Elementary, Lacey Spring Elementary, Christopher Michael: The Printing Party.
Elkton Middle School, Tracy West: My Art Goes Walking.
Smithland Elementary School, Skyline Middle School, Kate Nesmith, Holly Bess Kincaid: Woven Together.
Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, David McCormick: Discovering Bach.
Elkton Recreation Department, Mary-Liz Humphrey: Story Telling Through Creative Dramatics.
Second Home, Leeanne Shepherd: Annie Gets a SECOND HOME .
Broadway High School, Brandy Somers: Leaving My Mark with Ashley Sauder Miller.

Fall 2015

Peak View Elementary, Lacey Spring Elementary, Christopher Michael: The Oldenburger.

2013-2014

Elkton Elementary School, Martha Yankey: Elkton Elementary School Annual Art Contest.

2012

South River Elementary School, Edwina George
Stone Spring Elementary School, Kate Nesmith

2011

Elkton Elementary School, Alesia Talbot: Retelling the Tale with Masks and Movement.
Skyline Middle School, Valerie Smith: Mural Project.
South River Elementary School, Edwina George: SRES Art Night.
Lacey Springs Elementary School, Carlene Lantz: Dewey (Decimal) is a Star in the 700s!
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, Kris Ludwig: Children’s Passport for Court and Market Days Festival.
W. H. Keister Elementary School, Tara Kent: Gyotaku (Fish Rubbing).
Stone Spring Elementary School, Kate Nesmith: Persuade Me Tee.

Fueling Your Arts Endeavor

Have a creative idea for an arts project to benefit the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area? An Advancing the Arts Grant may help you bring that dream to life!

Grants for Artists

Grants for Educators

Grant Recipients

Enriching the Arts in Our Community

Advancing the Arts Grant Recipients

Creative Inspiration

Fall 2023

Spring 2023

Fall 2022

Spring 2022

Fall 2021

Spring 2021

Fall 2020

Spring 2020

Fall 2019

Spring 2019

Fall 2018

Spring 2018

Fall 2017

Spring 2017

2012

Public Art Forward

Fall 2023

Arts for Education

Fall 2023

Spring 2023

Fall 2022

Spring 2022

Fall 2021

Spring 2021

Fall 2020

Spring 2020

Fall 2019

Spring 2019

Fall 2018

Spring 2018

Fall 2017

Spring 2017

Fall 2016

Fall 2015

2013-2014

2012

2011

Fueling Your Arts Endeavor

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Advancing the Arts
Grant Recipients

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