Wise, VA – Jan. 9, 2026 – The Pro-Art Association has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to launch Pro-Art Studio, a new initiative debuting later this year that will provide hands-on artmaking opportunities to the community at large. This marks Pro-Art’s first-ever NEA award and arrives as the organization prepares for its milestone 50th season.

“As we look toward our golden anniversary, we are more committed than ever to building a strong foundation for the decades to come,” said Pro-Art Executive Director Michael McNulty. “This moment allows us not only to celebrate our past, but to dream boldly about our future.”

Pro-Art Studio will expand the organization’s impact beyond performances, offering artmaking opportunities including experiential courses, workshops, and community projects. The initiative is designed to engage community members not only as audiences, but as artists and creative practitioners themselves.

The NEA grant requires a dollar-for-dollar match. Pro-Art invites the public to support this effort by making a donation to help meet the $25,000 match requirement and ensure the long-term sustainability of the program.

In addition, community members are encouraged to help shape the future programming of Pro-Art Studio by taking a short survey to share what types of classes and creative subjects they would be most interested in exploring. To make a tax-deductible contribution or to take the survey, please visit proartva.org/studio.

Together, these efforts will help ensure Pro-Art Studio reflects the creativity, curiosity, and voices of the community it is here to serve.

Pro-Art is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the C. Bascom Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, and Mountain Empire Community College.

*********