The Vira I. Heinz Foundation began a partnership with the VCCA in 2003 to support residencies of artists from southwest Pennsylvania. Since that time, the Heinz Foundation has granted VCCA $65,000 in support for residencies and two dozen artists have returned to southwest Pennsylvania with fresh ideas and new work. Any artist who applies to the VCCA from the following counties is considered for this program: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, Westmoreland. The grant will support residencies for approximately ten artists during each year.