About Us
Strengthening Virginia's Creative Economy
The Creatives for Virginia Foundation is a statewide nonprofit working at the intersection of arts, culture, entrepreneurship, and community development.
About the Foundation
The Creatives for Virginia Foundation grew from a statewide creative advocacy initiative into a nonprofit organization focused on building lasting infrastructure and expanding economic opportunity for Virginia's creative community.
What began as a movement to amplify the voices of artists and creative professionals has evolved into a comprehensive effort to strengthen the systems, policies, and programs that allow creativity to thrive — not just in major cities, but in every corner of the Commonwealth.
Our Mission
To empower Virginia's creative community through advocacy, education, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and access to meaningful opportunities.
Our Vision
A Virginia where every creative has the resources, support, visibility, and opportunity needed to build a sustainable future.
Why We Exist
Virginia's creative community is talented, resilient, and vital — yet creatives across the Commonwealth continue to face real and persistent challenges:
The Creatives for Virginia Foundation exists to help close these gaps — building the connections, resources, and advocacy that Virginia's creative community deserves.
Limited access to funding and financial resources
Fragmented and hard-to-navigate support systems
Lack of business and entrepreneurship support
Unequal access to opportunity across regions and communities
Limited recognition of creative work as economic development
Need for stronger statewide collaboration and infrastructure
Our Approach
We take a comprehensive, community-centered approach to strengthening Virginia's creative economy — combining multiple strategies to create lasting impact:
Programs
Hands-on initiatives that directly serve artists, entrepreneurs, and creative organizations across the Commonwealth.
Advocacy
Championing policies and investments at the local, regional, and state level that recognize and support the creative economy.
Research
Generating data, insights, and new models that advance understanding of Virginia's creative sector and its economic impact.
Community Engagement
Building relationships and networks that connect creatives, organizations, and communities across Virginia.
Partnerships
Collaborating with government, philanthropy, business, and education to leverage resources and expand reach.
Workforce and Business Development
Equipping creatives with the skills, tools, and support needed to build sustainable careers and businesses.
Our Core Values
Creativity
We believe in the transformative power of creative expression and innovation in all its forms.
Equity
We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring every Virginian has fair access to creative opportunity.
Collaboration
We achieve more together — building partnerships and networks that multiply our collective impact.
Community
We center the needs, voices, and leadership of the communities we serve in everything we do.
Innovation
We embrace new ideas, approaches, and models that advance the creative economy in bold ways.
Accountability
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and responsibility.
Statewide Impact
We work across the full Commonwealth — ensuring our programs and advocacy reach every region of Virginia.
Help us build a stronger creative future for Virginia.
Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, organization, or community leader — there's a place for you in the Creatives for Virginia network.