Virginia is known for its prominent role in American history, like the contributions of its indigenous tribes, the settlements of the British Colonial period, and the battlefields of the Civil War. As a result of its melting-pot past, a mosaic of distinct cultures makes up the state, from the coastal lifestyle of Tidewater to the pioneer heritage of the Appalachian Mountains. This rich backdrop lends itself to the development of vivacious art communities.
We analyzed a variety of Virginia cities in different regions, looking for the ones with the most vibrant, active arts and culture scenes. These are cities that promote the arts through galleries, museums, art schools, music venues, co-ops, and artisan shops. Here are the best cities in Virginia to visit or live in if you want to immerse yourself in culture:
The state’s capital city of Richmond is also the cultural center of the Virginia Piedmont region. Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts is ranked first in the nation by US News and World Report among public programs for sculpture, fiber arts, graphic design, and glass work.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts features 33,000 works in its permanent collection, from pre-Columbian-era American textiles to 21st century abstract sculpture. The museum also hosts exhibitions; past themes have included Japanese tattoo and printmakers of World War I. Richmond has nearly a dozen other museums, including the Science Museum of Virginia, the Virginia Holocaust Museum, and the Children’s Museum of Richmond. The Visual Arts Center of Richmond offers classes, camps, exhibitions, and events.
Richmond’s performing arts venues include the Richmond Symphony, which hosts Masterworks and pops concerts, as well as the Richmond Ballet, the Virginia Opera, and the Virginia Repertory Theatre.
The city’s location in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains undoubtedly serves as inspiration to the area’s many artists and artisans. Roanoke’s “Center in the Square” is both the heart of its downtown and the soul of its artist community. It is home to the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, which displays both historic and contemporary examples of African and African American art. The History Museum of Western Virginia, Science Museum of Western Virginia, and the pop-culture themed Roanoke Pinball Museum are located in the Square as well.
Performing arts venues include the Mill Mountain Theatre and Conservatory, the Roanoke Children’s Theatre, the Opera Roanoke, the Roanoke Ballet Theatre, and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. The Dumas Center for Artistic and Cultural Development is a venue available for anyone to host live performances and events. There are ten art galleries in the city, including the Market Gallery, Gallery 202, and Art and Iron. The Taubman Museum of Art houses more than 2,000 pieces in its permanent collection, and it features an ever-changing array of exhibitions. The Taubman also offers internships, classes for adults and children, and year-round events.
The Northern Virginia city of Alexandria is nationally recognized as a city for the arts. In 2013, it was named among America’s Top ArtPlaces by the ArtPlace collaborative agency, and it was included of TravelNerd’s list of “Best Small Cities for Art Nerds” in the same year. American Craft Week also named it one of the “Top 10 Towns for Craft Lovers” in 2015.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center is the nexus of Alexandria’s visual arts scene. It’s home to more than 80 studios, where visitors can watch artists at work. It also features six galleries and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. The Art League, an education and outreach center, is based out of the Torpedo Factory as well.
The MetroStage is a 130-seat, non-profit theatre that promotes the work of up-and-coming playwrights. The Birchmere Music Hall hosts indie and local musicians, as well as national acts like the Marshall Tucker Band and the Avett Brothers. They also have specialty shows, like comedy and burlesque acts.
In the far southwest corner of the state is Abingdon, a crossroads of music and mountain culture. The Arts Depot, a restored train station, houses three galleries and the studios of seven resident artists. The William King Museum of Art features galleries, a studio for live demonstrations, a library with research archives, and a sculpture garden. Perhaps its greatest contribution to the region is its outreach program, which brings art enrichment to the rural schools of the area.
Traditional music, heritage recipes, and legacy artists make up the culture of Southwest Virginia. All these elements coalesce in Heartwood. Part gallery, part music venue, part restaurant, Heartwood defies labels. It features juried works from the ‘Round the Mountain artisan network and is a venue for the Crooked Road, Virginia’s heritage music trail.
The town’s best-known performing arts venue is the Barter Theatre, which got its name from its practice of allowing patrons to barter produce in exchange for admission to performances during the Great Depression. World-famous actors have graced its stage, from Gregory Peck to Wayne Knight, best known as Seinfeld’s Newman.
Coastal Norfolk, the state’s second-largest city, is the epicenter of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. Downtown Norfolk hosts the Virginia Arts Festival each spring, featuring artists, dancers, and performers from around the world. Norfolk is home to an array of galleries including d’Art Center, Selden Arcade, and Harbor Gallery.
The Chrysler Museum of Art holds thousands of works in its collection from globally renowned artists like Paul Gauguin, Ansel Adams, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Their glass studio offers daily demonstrations as well as classes in the art of glassblowing, stained glass, and other disciplines. The Governor’s School for the Arts fosters the talents of students throughout the state in both performing and visual arts. Performing arts venues in Norfolk include the Virginia Stage Company, Virginia Opera, and Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
