NoVA Arts Agencies Launch Collaboration On Professional Development

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Three arts agencies in Northern Virginia will create a regional partnership to provide resources to artists and arts organizations.

ArtsFairfax, the Arlington Cultural Affairs Office and Alexandria’s Office of the Arts announced the creation of the Northern Virginia Local Arts Agencies Monday. The collaboration will provide free professional development workshops and networking opportunities.

"As local arts agencies, we work to meet artists and organizations where they are professionally. Northern Virginia artists travel, create, and perform throughout the region and [Northern Virginia Local Arts Agencies] expands on that community-building to help artists make new connections and learn new skills," said a representative of the Northern Virginia Local Arts Agencies in a statement.

ArtsFairfax seeks to expand arts and culture opportunities for Fairfax County’s more than 1 million residents. The nonprofit provides art education, grants, workshops and other services. It is funded by Fairfax County, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts, corporations, foundations, and individual donors.

Arlington Cultural Affairs, which is part of Arlington Economic Development, provides public activities and programs such as Arlington Arts. Among the county initiatives are public art exhibitions, the Arlington Art Truck, and performing arts festivals.

The Alexandria Office of the Arts works with local artists and arts organizations to create vibrancy through public art, the poet laureate program, literary programs and events. It also runs the Torpedo Factory Art Center, the largest location of publicly-accessible working artists.

The first workshops for artists and organizations will be:

Sept. 14: Data + Storytelling = Impact (Part 1)

This workshop facilitated by Brighter Strategies will show attendees how to collect data to tell their story in a unique and compelling way.

Sept. 28: Data + Storytelling = Impact (Part 2)

This follow-up workshop by Brighter Strategies takes a deeper dive into data collection and analysis. There will be a personalized Q&A around techniques and methods for data collection, analysis and use.

Nov. 9: E-commerce Principles for Artists, Makers and Performing Artists

This workshop facilitated by Latela Curatorial is for artists looking to update their website or join e-commerce. Attendees will learn the basics of what's needed for an artist website, what collectors and art experts look for, and how to use metadata.

Nov. 17: Business Plan Essentials

In this workshop from Springboard for the Arts, attendees will learn how to prepare a simple business plan in arts-friendly language so they can make informed business decisions.

Workshops are free but require registration. Visit NVLAAfall2022.eventbrite.com to register.