THE RICHMOND REGION
CULTURAL ACTION PLAN
> Five-Year Update, March 16, 2014
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Exactly five years ago
– March 16, 2009 –
the 110-page Richmond Region Cultural Action plan was
published. The Plan was the result of direct input from 3,000
residents of the Richmond region, direction of a Bostonbased consulting firm, and leadership by a 27-person task
force guided by Bill Martin, executive director of the Valentine
Richmond History Center, and composed of representatives from
corporations, foundations, city and county administrations, and
arts and culture organizations and practitioners.
Ryan Bechard in
Cadence Theatr
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photo by: Jason
Collins Photogra
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Arts in the All
2013 Arts & Culture Xpo, Stavna Ballet
Why was the Plan developed?
The idea was to put together a plan that would make comprehensive and strategic sense out of the region’s rich and
complex arts and culture organizations, programs, events, and practitioners – a plan that would provide guidance for
an ever better Richmond region.
What were the Plan’s aspirations?
The Plan’s fundamental aspirations were based on making arts and culture ever stronger in the Richmond region
and leveraging strong arts and culture to strengthen other facets of the region such as education and economic
development. Undergirding all of this was the recommendation to form an independent organization that could help
facilitate, coordinate, serve, and lead: CultureWorks.
Is the Plan still relevant?
The Plan’s aspirations remain firmly in place. All of the Plan’s specific recommendations
and directives have received ongoing attention from the beginning, and they are
continually modified to meet an ever-changing landscape and an ever-better
knowledge and understanding of the region’s arts and culture. For example, the Plan’s
initial recommendation to create more festivals was discarded after recognition of
the already-in-place overflowing abundance of festivals. And for example, the Plan’s
absence of mention of any national involvement by CultureWorks has been replaced by
CultureWorks’ leadership roles among the nation’s 3,000+ similar organizations.
Who paid for the Richmond Region Cultural Action Plan?
The following entities provided a total of $125,000 for the services of the Boston-based
consulting firm, WolfBrown, that directed the process that created the Plan: Altria, Bank
of America, The Community Foundation, Dominion Foundation, First Market Bank,
Genworth Financial, Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, MeadWestvaco Foundation,
SunTrust, University of Richmond, Wachovia Foundation, Richmond Symphony,
Valentine Richmond History Center, Arts Council of Richmond, Visual Arts Center
of Richmond, and Barksdale/Theatre IV. All other costs and services for the Plan’s
development were provided pro bono by organizations and residents of the Richmond
region.
During the five years since the Plan’s March 2009 publication, many entities have
made financial gifts that have enabled CultureWorks to carry out the Plan’s directives.
Altria and Dominion have been at the forefront of corporate donors. The Community
Foundation and the E. Rhodes & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation have led the way
among foundation donors. The City of Richmond has been the philanthropic leader
among the region’s city and county governments. And among many individual donors,
Joan O. Oates merits singular recognition for her eager and smiling philanthropy. Following is the list of those who
have provided financial support to CultureWorks from January 1 through December 31, 2013. There are many other
donors whose gifts have taken place before and after this period.
In addition the following companies have declined to send us a bill for their services: 501 Advisors, Chesterfield
Chamber of Commerce, Data Network Services, Greater Richmond Chamber, Maymont Foundation, North Highland,
PhotoOps, REVOLVE, River City Tattoo, Staples (aka SFA) Fine Art Services, TVJerry, University of Richmond School
of Professional and Continuing Studies, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
1708 Gallery, FortMakers
January 1 through December 31, 2013
DONORS
BUSINESS AND
ORGANIZATION
Altria Group
Aragon Group
Bank of America
BB&T
BCWH, Inc.
CharacterWorks
Chesterfield Center for the Arts
Dominion
Giving Change
Historic Richmond Foundation
James River Air Conditioning Company
K Dance
Luck Stone Foundation
Markel Corporation
McGuireWoods
MeadWestvaco Foundation
PadillaCRT
Richmond CenterStage
SunTrust Bank
Union First Market Bank
Wells Fargo
FOUNDATION AND
GOVERNMENT
Arts and Cultural Funding Consortium
E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter
Foundation
City of Richmond
County of Hanover
County of Henrico
Virginia Commission for the Arts
Windsor Foundation
The Community Foundation Serving
Richmond and Central Virginia, and the
following component funds:
Ted and Laura Lee Chandler Fund
Doherty Family Fund
Terrell & Elliott Harrigan Family Fund
Koval Family Fund
Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia Fund
Barbara B. and James E. Ukrop Fund
INDIVIDUAL
Mr. Rick Albee
Mr. Jonathan Austin
Ms. Peggy Baggett
Mr. Tom Baise
Mr. Stanley Baranowski
Margaret and Richard Beckstoffer
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Belleman
Mr. John F. Berry, Jr.
Mr. Foster Billingsley
Mr. Victor K. Branch
Mr. Victor Smith and
Ms. Robin Brewster
Ms. Amy Bridge
Ms. Donna Brodd
Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Broth
Ms. Andrea Brown
Dr. Patricia and Mr. Dewey Brown
Mr. Robert Payne and Ms. BJ Brown
Dr. and Mrs. Charles F. Bryan, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Stewart Bryan, III
John Bryan and JC Gilmore-Bryan
Ms. Kelly Bryan
Mr. Lonnie Calhoun
Mr. David Camden
Mr. David B. Campbell
Ms. Elinor Capehart
Ms. Betsy Carr
Ms. Rejena Carreras
Mr. Roy Carter
Ms. Jewel Caven
Mr. Alejandro Cedeno
Mr. and Mrs. Theodore L. Chandler, Jr.
Ms. Briar Harris Chatterjea
Ms. Ann Chenoweth
Mr. David Christian
Ms. Ann Comfort
Ms. Pamela Comstock
Dr. John R. Cook
Dr. and Mrs. William D. Covington
Ms. Sara Cowherd
Mr. and Mrs. David Robinson, CPA
Mr. Donald L. Creach
Nancy and Clayton Crouch
Ms. Jane Crouse
Ms. Heather Curler
Mr. C. Benjamin Dacus
Ms. Linda Dalch
Ms. Margaret Porter-Daniel
and Mr. Thomas Daniel
Ms. Tammy Day
Ms. Blanche DePonte
Mr. and Mrs. James Doherty
Mr. W. Birch Douglass, III
Ms. Jane Dowrick
Ms. Melissa Dunn
Dr. Fred and Mrs. Ellen Ende
Martin and Hope Armstrong Erb
Mr. Michael Falzone
Ms. Sandra Elaine Faulkner
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fischer
Mr. Samuel S. Forrest
Ms. Melody Foster
The Harry Frazier III Family
Mrs. Sharon Freude
Mr. Gordon Fruetel
Mr. Donald B. Garber
Mr. Griffin T. Garnett IV
Mr. James Gaston III
Mr. Andrew Gerber
Mr. Lee Gimpel
Mr. and Mrs. William M. Ginther
Mr. Rob Goodall
Ms. Julia Gore
Ms. Nancy Grand
Mr. Chris Guidry
Ms. Barbara Haas
Mr. Bob Halbruner
Dawn and John Hall
Mr. and Mrs. Brenton S. Halsey
Mr. Lee Hanchey
Mr. and Mrs. Elliott M. Harrigan
Mr. Lee Harris, Jr.
Ms. Judy Harris
Ms. Christie Hartwell
Ms. Kathryn Henry-Choisser
Ms. Katharine Herndon
Ms. Mariana Hess
Ms. Kristin Hicks
Ms. Erin Holland
Ms. Jennifer Hoover
Mr. Randy Howard
Ms. Ceci Hull
Ms. Mitzi Humphrey
Ms. Anna Johnson
Ms. Vivian Keasler
Mr. D. Brennen Keene
Mr. and Mrs. Heyn Kjerulf
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Knight
Mr. Dean Knight
Mr. and Mrs. BJ Kocen
Patte annd Barry Koval
Mr. Justin Laughter
Mr. John C. Leonard
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Lisk
Ms. Ardyth Lohuis
Mr. William Manson, Jr.
Ms. Emma Lou Martin
Ms. Elizabeth J. Matthews
Kelly and Rob McAdams
Shannon and Chad McConville
Mr. David McCormick
Ms. Sarah A. McMahon
Mr. Bruce Miller
Ms. Mason Mills
Mr. and Mrs. G. Gilmer Minor, III
Mr. A. Curtis Monk
Ms. Beth Cook Moore
Ms. Charlotte G. Morgan
Mr. and Mrs. George D. Nan
Ms. Carol S. Nance
Dr. James L. Narduzzi
Mr. Tyler Nichols
Ms. Elizabeth Norris
Mr. and Mrs. Neilson November
Ms. Judith O’Brien
Ms. Darcy Oman
Mr. Dick Page
Ms. Donna Pendarvis
Mrs. Mary Bryan Perkins
Mr. Thomas Perry
Ms. Laurie Petronis
Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates
Mrs. Hunter Pettus, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Piper
Ms. Patricia Poupore
Ms. Leighton Powell
Ms. Carly Prussman
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Raper
Ms. Dee Raubenstine
Ms. Leslie Reeks
Mr. Scott Reeks
The Ripperton Family
Ms. Rebecca Robertson
Ms. Beth Rosenberg
Mr. Tom Rosenberg
Mr. James A. Rothrock
Mr. and Mrs. William Royall, Jr.
Mr. Anthony J Ruzicka
Ms. Lisa Schaffner
Ms. Dorothy Schoeneman
John Jay and Gail Schwartz
Joe and Suzanne Seipel
Ms. Anita Shaia
Ms. Liz Sheehan
Ms. Susan Kurzman
and Mr. Tom Silvestri
Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey P. Sisk
Ms. Deborah Sommers
Mr. Norfleet Stallings
Chris and Caron Sterling
Ms. Kathryn Strawn
Ms. Lisa Streat
Mr. and Mrs. James Thomasson
Ms. JoAnne Wade Draucker
and Mr. Jim Thompson
Linda and Steve Tissiere
Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Ukrop
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Ukrop
Ms. Jana Usry
Mr. Matt Varnell
Mr. William B. Vaughn
Mr. Brent Ward
Mr. Scott Warren
Dr. Frederick Wayne
Ms. Debra Webb
Ms. Cathy West
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer West, Jr.
Ms. Patricia White
Ms. Anne Williford
Janie and John Wilson
Ms. Amanda Winger
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Winn
Mr. Thomas Wohlfarth
Ms. Patty Wood
Mrs. Willie Anne Wright
Mr. Tom Wulf
What are the Plan’s six goals and what progress has been made?
It is important to note that many organizations, individuals, and coalitions throughout the Richmond region have
– with and without the involvement of CultureWorks – conducted operations and programs that have productively
addressed the Plan’s goals. There have been hundreds of accomplishments, both intentionally and coincidentally, in
accordance with the Plan’s six goals. A few examples are listed here.
GOAL NUMBER ONE
Leverage Arts and Culture For Economic Vitality
Examples include the Greater Richmond Chamber’s establishment of a priority focus on innovation and
creativity; Ashland’s Main Street designation; the City of Richmond’s creation of a downtown Arts and
Culture District; and Hopewell’s renovation of its historic Beacon Theatre.
GOAL NUMBER TWO
Expand Cultural Participation
Examples include Venture Richmond’s arts and culture activities that now annually
attract 350,000 attendees; the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ growth to include more
than 40,000 members; the region’s 1,000+ active bands; and the third of VCU School of
the Arts’ 3,000 students who, after graduation, stay in Richmond to make their careers.
GOAL NUMBER THREE
STRENGTHEN CULTURAL DIVERSITY
ican Art
Latin Amer
Center for
Virginia
Examples include the emerging Virginia Center for Latin American Art; the region-wide
conversation, “The Future of Richmond’s Past;” and the multitude of gatherings — ranging from the India
Festival to the Down Home Family Reunion to the Que Pasa Festival — that celebrate ethnicity.
GOAL NUMBER FOUR
Strengthen Creative Education
There are ever-increasing opportunities for arts and culture education offered by hundreds of
organizations ranging from public school systems to the Visual Arts Center of Richmond to the West End
Assembly of God to Petersburg Area Art League to the Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation.
GOAL NUMBER FIVE
Serve and Sustain Arts and Culture Organizations and Practitioners
CultureWorks has established a wide range of services ranging from grants, to marketing and fundraising
consultation, to spreading the word about arts and culture events and organizations. The Richmond region
– unlike many cities – has emerged from the Recession not only without losing any of its major arts and
culture organizations, but with significant growth. Examples include the $75M-renovated and expanded
CenterStage, the $150M-renovated and expanded Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the forthcoming Steven
Holl-designed Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU, and the still-growing, multi-location Children’s
Museum of Richmond.
GOAL NUMBER SIX
Provide Coordination, Advocacy, and Dialogue
This is the goal that caused the formation of CultureWorks which has, in meaningful ways, become
the region’s go-to organization not only for coordination, advocacy, and dialogue regarding arts and
culture, but also for information, expertise, facilitation, and vision. An example of “coordination” is the
CultureWorks-produced annual one-day spotlight on 100+ arts and culture organizations under one
roof at the Arts & Culture Xpo. An example of “advocacy” is the dozen issues-related commentaries that
CultureWorks has written for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. An example of “dialogue” is CultureWorks’
monthly one-question survey of thousands of arts and culture patrons.
What are community leaders saying about the Plan’s progress?
“Five years after the publication in 2009 of the Richmond Region Cultural Action Plan, CultureWorks can be justly
proud of the leadership role it has played as a catalyst and champion of arts development in the city of Richmond and the
surrounding counties. Although the recession initially prevented some of the Plan’s objectives from being pursued, the call
for a new regional agency was ably met by the creation of CultureWorks and by the work that John Bryan and his team
have since accomplished. All of us involved in the production of the Plan can be pleased with what has been implemented,
while pressing for further regional progress to be made in the coming years, as resources allow. The Plan’s recommendations
remain relevant; its six Goals are as meaningful and necessary as ever.”
— David J.L. Fisk Executive Director, Richmond Symphony
“I am proud of the City of Richmond’s ongoing relationship with CultureWorks as it continues to pay steadfast attention
to the goals of the Richmond Region Cultural Action Plan in helping to make our city and our region ever better. I am
especially pleased with CultureWorks’ role as a catalyst and leader as we leverage strong arts and culture as tools not only
for economic vitality, but also for regional collaboration as evidenced by the Arts & Culture Xpo that annually gathers more
than 100 or our region’s arts and culture organizations all under one roof in the heart of our downtown Arts and Culture
District. The Cultural Action Plan and CultureWorks will continue to be significant factors as we move forward in building
a better Richmond region.”
— Dwight C. Jones Mayor, City of Richmond
“At Altria, we believe that a vibrant community, rich with diverse arts and cultural offerings, helps create the kind of
environment where our company and employees can be successful. For us, it’s about demonstrating that Richmond has a
lot to offer to those who live here, those who visit, and those who are considering relocating here. The Cultural Action Plan
was an important milestone in establishing Richmond’s cultural identity for the future, and we commend CultureWorks,
arts organizations large and small, and the artists that make Richmond an engaging, vibrant community.”
– Charlie Agee Director, Corporate Contributions and Community Relations, Altria Client Services Inc.
2013 Arts & Culture Xpo
“We at The Community Foundation recognize and salute the continued importance of the Richmond Region Cultural
Action Plan and the ongoing good work that has resulted since its publication in 2009. Under CultureWorks’ leadership
and the contributions of many dedicated individuals and organizations, the Plan’s goals were met and, in some cases,
exceeded our expectations. The Plan’s five-year anniversary provides an opportunity for the Richmond region to take
energized stock of our rich arts and culture community, and to commit even stronger trust and support to CultureWorks
as it provides service and leadership. A strong and vibrant arts and culture sector contributes in meaningful ways to our
region’s quality of life”
— Darcy S. Oman President & CEO, The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia
Xpo,
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2013 Aonciliation P
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2013 Arts & Culture
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Arts in the Alley
One Voice Chorus
What are the priorities for the next five years?
O N E To continually strengthen and modify the Plan’s goals and directives to meet an ever changing landscape and
ever emerging opportunities.
T W O To aggressively facilitate an atmosphere of harmony, collaboration, good will, and collegiality among the
region’s arts and culture organizations and practitioners.
T H R E E To help the voice of arts and culture be a fundamental element of strategies and plans for all significant
facets of the region: economic development, education, social services, health and wellness, transportation, etc.
F O U R To leverage arts and culture for ever increasing national attention that results in increased tourism, influx of
residents and companies, funding, and media attention.
F I V E To develop and encourage ever more financial resources and services to strengthen arts and culture.
How can residents of the Richmond region help?
O N E Register to be a Cultural Shareholder. Go to www.richmondcultureworks.org and click on “Join Us.” There is no
fee, and you will join thousands of others who learn about unadvertised discounts, receive monthly spotlights, and
register their voices on important issues.
T W O Attend the annual Arts & Culture Xpo. You will be able to see and talk with more than 100 of the region’s arts
and culture organizations all under one roof and learn how they can enrich the lives of you and your family through
their programs, events, and educational opportunities.
T H R E E Give money. Write your priority checks to those arts and culture organizations that interest you in special
ways. And please also make a gift to help the vital operations of CultureWorks.
Who are the members of the CultureWorks team?
CultureWorks relies on volunteer assistance from many persons throughout the Richmond region who compose
evaluation panels, discussion groups, task teams, Xpo volunteers, and consultants to help carry out CultureWorks’
operations and services. CultureWorks is staffed by Administrative Manager Leslie Huffman, Development and
Marketing Associate Caron Sterling, and President John Bryan. CultureWorks is governed by a board of directors
composed of Dave Christian (Chair), Dave Campbell, Pam Comstock, Sara Cowherd, Gordon Fruetel, Tammy
Hawley, Hugh Joyce, Brennen Keene, Jessica Noll, Charles Piper, Jim Rothrock, Kim Scheeler, Geoff Sisk, Brooks Smith,
Deborah Sommers, Norfleet Stallings, Lisa Streat, and Jerry Williams.
What does CultureWorks do?
O N E CultureWorks gives grants to arts and culture organizations and to individual practitioners.
T W O CultureWorks acts as a convener, gathering diverse opinions and interests to address issues, solve challenges,
meet opportunities, plan strategies, and facilitate partnerships and collaborations.
T H R E E CultureWorks conducts advocacy, working to assure that elected officials and other decision makers are
knowledgeable about issues and actions related to arts and culture.
F O U R CultureWorks provides an extensive range of services to individuals, not-for-profit and for-profit entities,
community organizations, and government bodies.
F I V E CultureWorks acts as a repository of information and knowledge about the region’s arts and culture via its
website links, personal relationships, attendance, and involvements with many hundreds of arts and culture entities
and individuals.
How is CultureWorks involved nationally?
CultureWorks’ national involvements have resulted in a productive Richmond knowledge of best practices and best
practitioners throughout the nation. CultureWorks has topmost involvement, networking, and recognition among
the nation’s 3,000+ similar organizations. This includes being the recipient of the annual Selena Roberts Ottum
Award presented by the National Endowment for the Arts and Americans for the Arts; chairing the nationally-elected
22-person Private Sector Council that includes directors of similar organizations in cities including Miami, Portland,
Detroit, Dallas, New York, Boston, Cincinnati, Charlotte, and others; hosting the inaugural Creative Conversation
conducted by The Conference Board and Americans for the Arts; publishing articles in national arts media such as Arts
Link Magazine; presenting at national conferences such as the annual Americans for the Arts Convention; and being
an invited participant at the annual Executive Leadership Forum hosted by Robert Redford at the Sundance Resort.
CONTACT:
THE DOG, ch
oreographer/p
erformer Ka
ye Wein
photo by: Sa stein Gary
rah Ferguson
John Bryan, [email protected], (804) 340-5284, (804) 356-9552 cell
Leslie Huffman, [email protected], (804) 340-5281
Caron Sterling, [email protected], (804) 340-5282
2013 Arts &
Culture Xpo,
Richmond Sh
akespeare
o
Culture Xp
2013 Arts &
1906-A NORTH HAMILTON STREET | RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23230
804.340.5280 | www.richmondcultureworks.org