About Us

Creating Community Through the Arts

Arts Council of the Valley is a nonprofit committed to creating spaces and opportunities for Harrisonburg and Rockingham County residents and visitors to experience art together. Art bridges gaps between people, celebrates diversity, and improves the health and well-being of communities. For those reasons and so many others, every community needs a dedicated organization to promote and curate local arts. Through close collaborations with artists, advocates, and local businesses, we have forged innovative programs and valuable resources that positively impact everyone in our community.

Founded to
Revitalize Downtown

Established in 2000 by visionary business leaders, Arts Council of the Valley emerged with a mission to reinvigorate the Court Square community. The objective was twofold: to stimulate economic progress in downtown Harrisonburg and to educate and inspire the local residents and workforce. Through generous support from the City of Harrisonburg, local businesses, and individual contributors, Arts Council of the Valley channels funding to grants, resources, and transformative programs that enrich the community. In 2001, Harrisonburg established the first Arts and Cultural District in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with the goal of increasing the arts and entertainment offerings of the city. Since then, downtown Harrisonburg has flourished with an expanding and increasingly robust array of visual and performing arts experiences.

Through the administration of artist- and art education-focused grant opportunities; coordination of monthly First Friday city- and county-wide arts programming; exhibition of works by emerging and established artists at Smith House Galleries; implementation of Public Art initiatives; and operation of Court Square Theater from 2001 through 2025 (offering film screenings, plays by local theatre groups, workshops, concerts, dance performances, and more); ACV has been dedicated to the continued growth of the arts in our community for more than 25 years.

The Arts Are Vital
for Economic Growth

Arts Council of the Valley has created a wealth of opportunities for diverse artists and business owners that drive real economic growth and artistic achievement in Harrisonburg and beyond.

$11.5k+

Annual First Fridays of the Valley Visitation

Attendees at nonprofit arts and culture events provide vital income for local merchants: a value-add that few industries can compete with.

$510k+

Total Grants Dollars Distributed Since 2001

We have supported 275+ artists and educators with thousands of dollars in grants.

9,707+

Artists Highlighted by Arts Council of the Valley

Each year we showcase hundreds of Virginia artists in our galleries and public art initiatives.

We Foster Education & Enrichment

Art is the great equalizer that allows people to look outside their windows and see the world. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, empathy, and so much more. Arts Council of the Valley is proud to provide avenues for artists, educators, and community members to access art, grants, and experiences that elevate our community and contribute to its success. Check out some of our programs, galleries, and grants to learn more!

Grants

Smith House Galleries

First Fridays Of The Valley

Public Art

Art Connects People & Community

Arts Council of the Valley provides meaningful and positive experiences for the community through various art initiatives that unite people in a shared appreciation for creative and artistic enrichment.

Our Mission

Arts Council of the Valley cultivates the arts, creates experiences, and connects communities throughout the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Our Values

Inclusion

Arts Council of the Valley promotes cultural equity, inclusion, and accessibility to art, art education, and art-making spaces for all.

Intentionality

Arts Council of the Valley pursues projects that align with its vision and is forward-thinking, creative, adaptable, and inclusive.

Advocacy

Arts Council of the Valley proactively champions the arts and artists.

Collaboration

Arts Council of the Valley prioritizes partnerships and collaborates to realize our vision, understanding that this work cannot be done by one.

Celebrating Diversity & Improving Well-Being

Research consistently shows the profoundly positive impact of art programs on social cohesion and mental well-being, making them an influential force for improving lives in the community. At Arts Council of the Valley, we actively foster an environment of diversity and equality by encouraging representation in our Board, staff, and artistic community. In 2021, our dedicated team collaborated closely with the board of directors to craft a strategic plan to ensure equity across our grant recipients, event spaces, and artist exhibitions. Moreover, we regularly engage in anti-racism training because we acknowledge the historical presence of systemic racism and discrimination in the Shenandoah Valley and its lingering effects.

The Arts will be visible, vital, and engaging – enhancing the richness of our diverse community.