Creative Aging for Lifelong Learning (CALL) – Individual Artists

The Creative Aging for Lifelong Learning Grant is administered by the West Virginia Department of Tourism through the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. This program is designed to support individual artists in delivering structured arts education experiences for older adults, with a strong emphasis on creative skill development and sustained engagement. The initiative reflects the agency’s broader mission to promote arts access, cultural enrichment, and community participation across the state. By prioritizing programming for adults aged 55 and older, the grant aligns with national creative aging strategies that emphasize lifelong learning, social connection, and improved well-being through the arts. The primary purpose of this grant program is to fund projects that provide sequential, skill-based arts instruction to a consistent group of adult participants. Eligible projects must employ a West Virginia teaching artist and focus on developing a new artistic skill over multiple sessions. These sessions must culminate in a public-facing event that showcases participant achievements. The program supports a range of artistic disciplines, including visual, literary, performing, and media arts. Projects are expected to emphasize both artistic skill-building and meaningful social engagement, ensuring that participants benefit from both creative and interpersonal experiences throughout the program. Funding for this grant is available up to 7500 dollars per project. Allowable expenses include artist fees, materials, space rentals, and equipment purchases or rentals. However, several restrictions apply. Funds cannot be used for general operating costs, hospitality expenses, fundraising activities, or projects conducted outside of West Virginia. Additionally, projects focused on rehabilitation from illness or injury, academic teaching positions, or performances not open to the public are explicitly ineligible. There is no matching requirement for individual applicants, making the funding fully accessible without cost-sharing obligations. Eligibility for this program is limited to individual artists who are at least 18 years old, are legal residents of West Virginia, and are in good standing with prior State Arts Office grant reporting requirements. Applicants must have submitted all required final reports for any previously awarded grants. The program is not open to organizations, and applicants must meet all federal and state eligibility standards, including compliance with IRS requirements and not being listed on any debarment or suspension lists. Projects must take place entirely within West Virginia and adhere to all program guidelines. The application process requires submission through the GoApply system and includes several required components. Applicants must provide a cover sheet, narrative responses, a detailed project budget, certification statements, and documentation of all proposed expenses. The narrative section requires detailed descriptions of the project, including the artistic skill to be taught, participant engagement strategies, promotional plans, evaluation methods, accessibility considerations, and workshop structure. Supporting documentation must be submitted as PDF attachments and may include contracts, vendor quotes, or product estimates. Applications are evaluated through a competitive review process conducted by a panel that includes members of the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, Department of Tourism staff, and external experts. Projects are scored across four primary categories: artistic merit, engagement, artistic excellence, and overall presentation, each worth 25 points for a total of 100 points. Additional consideration is given to projects located in counties designated as at-risk or distressed by the Appalachian Regional Commission. Successful applicants must complete their projects within the designated grant period and submit a final report within 90 days of project completion. The grant operates on a recurring cycle with two annual rounds. Round One applications are due May 18 with a project period running from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. Round Two applications are due October 1 with a project period from January 1 through June 30. All projects must be completed by June 30, and final reports are due no later than September 30. Applicants may appeal funding decisions within 60 days of notification by submitting a formal request to the Director of Arts. The program provides a structured and supportive funding opportunity for artists committed to advancing creative aging initiatives within their communities.

Focus on clear project design strong engagement with older adults and detailed budget justification. Ensure narrative completeness and alignment with scoring rubric emphasizing artistic merit and participant outcomes.