Organizer Information:

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA). VCCA provides time and space for national and international writers, visual artists, and composers to bring forth their finest works in concentrated solitude, free from the distractions of day-to-day life.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the Greater Opportunity Fellowships (Part of the Spring 2027 Mt. San Angelo Residency Period).

Previously known as the 50th Anniversary Fund, this initiative supports first-time VCCA residencies. It is a reflection of VCCA’s ongoing goal to amplify creative voices that need to be heard, providing an intense period of creative work within a community of cross-disciplinary artists in the rolling foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

Category:

Multidisciplinary (Open to visual artists, writers, composers, and performance artists).

Eligibility:

  • Who: Open to national and international artists of talent and promise in any discipline.
  • First-Time Requirement: Applicants MUST NOT have previously been in residence at VCCA. This is strictly for first-time attendees.
  • Demographic Focus: Preference is given to artists who self-identify as people of color.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Workspace & Accommodation: A fully-funded residency of up to two weeks at Mt. San Angelo. This includes a private bedroom with an en-suite bath, a separate individual studio, and three meals a day in a community of cross-disciplinary artists.
  • Accessible Application: VCCA explicitly does NOT require letters of recommendation for this application.

Application Fee & Program Costs:

  • Application Fee: $30 USD.
  • Fee Waivers: If the application fee presents a significant barrier, you can request a waiver. You MUST begin your application on SlideRoom first, and then email vcca@vcca.com to request the waiver at least 5 days before the deadline (by May 10, 2026).

Application Requirements:

  • Submission Portal: Applications are processed via SlideRoom.
  • Application Selection: You must apply using the general "Application for Mt. San Angelo Residencies, VCCA in Virginia – Spring 2027" application. You MUST select your specific interest in the "Greater Opportunity Fellowships" in Question 2 of the form.
  • Required Documents: Recent work samples, a project description, and a variety of biographical and logistical details.
  • Financial Aid: If you are also applying for general financial assistance, you must submit a copy of your most recent tax return or documentation of your income (be sure to obscure your social security number/national ID).

Key Dates:

  • Application Window Opens: February 1, 2026.
  • Fee Waiver Request Deadline: May 10, 2026.
  • Application Deadline: May 15, 2026.
  • Notification of Results: By August 31, 2026.
  • Residency Dates: Up to two weeks with flexible scheduling between January and April 2027.

Location:

Mt. San Angelo, Amherst, Virginia, USA.

Contact Information: