All across Virginia there are groups known as local arts agencies that help support creative organizations with grants, public relations, and other ways of connecting people with works of art. These range from the Abingdon Arts Commission to the York County Arts Commission and can be found via the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Charlottesville has not had such an agency since 2017 when the Piedmont Council for the Arts folded. In 2012, the PCA released a study that calculated the economic value of the arts to be $114.4 million. The next year the agency began a campaign to create a document called Create Charlottesville: A Cultural Plan for Charlottesville/Albemarle. (view the document)
Now a Charlottesville-based arts organization is launching a campaign to create a new arts council to coordinate support for individuals and organizations.
“New City Arts announces a 7-month professionally-facilitated, collaborative, community-led planning process to explore the creation of a future Arts Council for the Charlottesville area—one that is equitable, accessible, and focused on making it possible for artists to live, work, and thrive here,” reads an information release sent out on August 4.
The New City Arts Initiative was founded in 2009 and operates a gallery on 3rd Street NE in downtown Charlottesville. Their study will be facilitated by Ruby Lopez Harper, the Executive Director of the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) and an Adjunct Professor for George Mason University.
The group is looking for members to join a steering committee to guide the effort. They’re looking for people to self-nominate.
“We’re seeking artists, arts workers, cultural organizers, community members, arts supporters, and arts grantmakers who live or work in the Charlottesville area region including the surrounding counties; are involved in or deeply care about the arts, culture, and creative communities; represent a range of disciplines, identities, and experiences; and believe in and practice equity, collaboration, and community-centered leadership,” reads a description.
If you’re interested, you can fill out a form here.
New City Arts is also looking for feedback in the shape of a Community Support and Interest Form.
Other organizations are involved as well including: The City of Charlottesville, the Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation, the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the University of Virginia.
Before you go: The time to write and conduct research for this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment comes from the August 7, 2025 edition of the program. To ensure this research can be sustained, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.
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