Support the Future of Arts in the NRV on Dec. 3rd
This Giving Tuesday, let’s celebrate the power of generosity by supporting the arts in our community! Giving Tuesday, held annually on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is a global movement that shifts the focus from spending to giving. It’s a day for kindness, volunteerism, and meaningful contributions that make a difference.
At the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley, we know the immense impact the arts have on our community. Through creativity, imagination, and shared expression, the arts enrich lives and strengthen our region in powerful ways. Our programs create opportunities for local artists to gain recognition and earn income by teaching, performing, showcasing, and selling their work—all while supporting our local economy.
We’ve set an End of Year Giving goal of $10,000 to sustain and grow these programs and ensure they remain accessible to all. This Giving Tuesday, December 3, we need your help to get there. Your gift today can make an immediate difference in keeping the arts alive and thriving in Southwest Virginia!
Since our founding, we have touched the lives of more than 100,000 people through classes, exhibits, performances, and events that unite people from all walks of life. In 2024 alone, we made remarkable strides, thanks to supporters like you, by engaging with more than 200 artists and more than 2,500 participants in this year’s programs. Here are some of this year’s highlights.
2024 Accomplishments:
Expansion: We opened a new location in Blacksburg. The new location has successfully expanded our reach, allowing us to offer valuable classes in Blacksburg. The new location features an additional gallery space with rotating work and a giftshop. Additionally, we brought on a Program Manager & Curator and a Development Coordinator, ensuring professional guidance & support for the Center’s long-term growth.
Community Events: Our popular Rhythm by the Rails event welcomed over 600 attendees, while our First Friday Listening Room series continued to bring live music to the community through dynamic & exciting free monthly concerts. We also were excited to present a variety of other performances, including a piano recital by composer Joey Harrington, and an unforgettable fortepiano concert performed by David Adam Maltz from Vienna, Austria.
Youth Arts: Our Scholastic Art Awards for Southwest Virginia had its largest-ever turnout, with over 150 people gathering and exploring downtown Pulaski to celebrate young artists, their teachers & their achievements. This year’s Youth Art Month was one of our largest showcases of talented local students and their teachers. We also offered our free monthly Creative Club workshop to young artists.
Collaborative Projects: We participate in meetings with other businesses in the area, organized by Pulaski County and Pulaski on Main, to help expand the economic success of the region. We are facilitating quilt design sessions with the Calfee Community and Cultural Center for their 23/54 project that honors the participants and families who fought for equal educational opportunities for their children. We are also excited to present our community collage project, “Creative Circles,” exemplifying the creativity of our community with more than 200 participants.
We are grateful for the support from generous sponsors, foundations, and community members that has made these programs possible. Yet, to continue creating impact and fostering arts access, we need your help to reach our $10,000 goal.
Your tax-deductible donation has measurable outcomes. It could….
Provide seats for children in a Creative Club class, nurturing creativity and self-expression at a young age.
Help fund a First Friday Listening Room Concert, bringing free live music to our community and showcasing local and visiting talent.
Support exhibitions for regional artists, facilitating greater exposure for their work and creative visions.
Fund supplies for our art workshops, ensuring people of all ages can enjoy hands-on learning experiences and grow their skills.
As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to build on this momentum, involve more community members, and keep bringing quality arts programming to the New River Valley. Your support makes a direct impact, and by making a tax-deductible donation today, you help us keep the arts alive and accessible throughout our region.
Thank you for believing in the arts and supporting us on Giving Tuesday. Your gift empowers our mission to make a lasting difference in the New River Valley.
Giving Tuesday is December 3rd
Early Giving is Underway