‘Access to the arts should not depend on geography’: Initiative focuses on art in small towns

The Virginia Commission for the Arts is launching a pilot project aimed at strengthening the arts in small towns that I hope works out, so it can be a value to the arts in my backyard.

The Small Town and Rural Arts Network is a statewide initiative in partnership with Randolph College that will begin with a six-month pilot in Halifax, Mecklenburg, Charlotte and Lunenburg counties.

The genesis of the program was a statewide survey of more than 400 artists and arts organizations that identified the need for increased capacity, stronger peer networks and practical tools tailored to rural and small-community contexts.

“Access to the arts should not depend on geography,” VCA Executive Director Colleen Dugan Messick said. “Through SARA , we are investing in communities with strong creative potential and building the networks and knowledge necessary to support long-term cultural vitality across rural Virginia.”

The pilot, supported by a $35,000 VCA grant, will be led by Randolph College’s MFA in Arts Leadership program. Rather than importing large-scale urban arts models, SARA focuses on adaptable approaches designed for communities with limited traditional infrastructure.

Strategies include pop-up programming, partnerships with libraries and community centers, volunteer-driven governance, and micro earned-revenue models.

“The SARA Network is built on a simple belief: rural communities don’t need more theory, they need practical strategies that work where they live,” said Geoffrey Kershner, who will lead the project on behalf of Randolph College. I’m especially excited to be working alongside professionals from the Department of Public Transformation, whose expertise in community facilitation will help participants move from conversation to action.”

The program includes three core components:

• In-Person Workshops: Three half-day workshops across Region 8, beginning March 24 at the Colonial Theater in South Hill, will guide participants in developing implementable arts project plans with identified partners and clear next steps. Sessions are facilitated in partnership with the national nonprofit Department of Public Transformation (DoPT).
• Regional Practice Hub: A digital resource center hosted on SmallTownBigArts.com will provide planning templates, workshop materials, and a peer-learning forum for arts practitioners statewide.
• Ongoing Support: Follow-up virtual workshops, monthly office hours, and 30-day check-ins will help participants implement and sustain their projects.

Virginia Tech faculty and students will assist in documenting outcomes and building a framework for future statewide expansion for FY27.

By focusing on practical, community-driven strategies, SARA aims to strengthen civic engagement, support local economies, and expand meaningful arts opportunities in communities historically underserved by traditional funding models.

Registration for the March 24 workshop is open to artists, community leaders, and cultural workers in Region 8.

For additional information, contact Kershner at [email protected]