Building on the tradition of the UVA Arts Council and its mission to support arts across Grounds, the Arts Endowment has been established to create a sustainable source of funds to further enhance U.Va.’s profile as a leader in arts learning, teaching, and service. 

Donors who make a gift to the Arts Endowment of $100,000 or more are invited to serve a five-year membership term to advise the Office of the Provost on the use and strategic investment of endowment earnings. Much like the Arts Council, a granting program for arts schools and units will be managed by the Vice Provost for the Arts. The Endowment seeks to involve its membership in an authentic partnership that weds philanthropy and the students and faculty that benefit from the support. 

Building over time, the fund ultimately seeks to secure $10 million from which it will make annual awards. Joseph Erdman (College, ’56) and J. Sanford Miller (College ’71) are serving as the founding co-chairs of the effort.