The first community conversation in the 2025-2026 Arts Council Planning Process will be held on Thursday, October 16 from 9:00AM-3:00PM.
At this free event, participants will learn more about the planning process, join others in community imagination, and identify/prioritize ideas for what an Arts Council could do for the Charlottesville area. Space is limited, registration required.
→ Accessibility: ASL interpretation will be provided. The venue is accessible for visitors who use wheelchairs.
Community Conversation Schedule
📍 The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center (233 4th St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903)
9:00 AM: Arrival & Welcome 📋
Coffee, tea, and check-in9:30 AM: Opening Remarks 📣
Facilitator and project partners welcome, Steering Committee introduced9:50 AM: Framing the Conversation 🎤
What is an Arts Council? What does this look like in other communities? Why are we exploring a model like this?10:20 AM: Break ☕️
10:30 AM: “What Could an Arts Council Do?” ✏️
Small group conversations co-facilitated by Steering Committee members11:30AM: Report Back & Idea Viewing 📌
12:15 PM: Lunch provided 🍽️
1:00 PM: Deep Dive, Prioritizing Ideas 💬
1:45PM: Whole Group Reflection 🔑
Identify emerging themes and key priorities2:15PM: Next Steps & How to Stay Involved →
2:45PM: Send Off & Closing 👋
About the Facilitator
Ruby Lopez Harper
A knowledge expert on the full scope of the local-level arts ecosystem, Ruby began her arts administration career in Columbus, Ohio at the Greater Columbus Arts Council. She expanded her work through her role at Americans for the Arts as the Director of Local Arts Services in 2016, becoming the Senior Director for Local Arts Advancement in 2020 and Vice President, Equity and Local Arts Engagement in 2021. At Americans for the Arts, Ruby was responsible for supporting 4,500 local arts agencies with tools, training and resources.
About the Steering Committee
Arts Council Feasibility Study Funding Partners
