Arts & Culture

There are over 735 arts-related businesses that are growing and creating a vibrant arts and innovation sector in Richmond. This page highlights a few CCE community partners that are advancing arts and culture in Richmond, as well as campus connections and relevant courses.

Featured Community Partners

ART 180
ART 180 gives young people ages 8-18 living in challenging circumstances the chance to express themselves through art and share their stories with others. For 20 years, ART 180 has served Greater Richmond by offering outlets in creative expression for young people and the communities in which they live and go to school. The nonprofit also operates an art center for teens, called Atlas, in the Arts & Cultural District.

Oakwood Arts
Oakwood Arts makes art and careers in creative industries accessible to all through community engagement, inspiring programming, and experiential education. The organization hopes to plant the seeds of artistic entrepreneurship through lectures, mentoring, and networking events. Programs include classes and workshops that focus on the digital and technical skills students need to succeed in the creative workforce.

Richmond Symphony
Founded in 1957, the Richmond Symphony is the largest performing arts organization in Central Virginia. The organization includes an orchestra of more than 70 professional musicians, the 150-voice Richmond Symphony Chorus and more than 260 students in the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra programs. Each season, more than 200,000 members of the community enjoy concerts, radio broadcasts, and educational outreach programs. The Richmond Symphony performs, teaches, and champions music to inspire and unite our communities.

More Community Partners

Campus Connections

Art Club
Art Club is a community of art appreciation (so don't worry if you're not that good at art!). The club goes downtown for RVA First Fridays gallery walks each month and attends local exhibitions per request. In addition, the group hosts 2-3 workshops per semester to share skills and techniques for those interested, paints a mural for UR’s homecoming, and and hosts a silent art auction for local charity.

UR Players
The University Players is a student theater group on campus that produces student-designed, directed and performed productions; works with the department of theater and dance to educate its members; sponsors student theater around campus; enriches student life with opportunities to participate in and view the arts; provides leadership opportunities; cultivates professional skills; participates in community service; and offers opportunities for artistic students to bond and socialize.

Relevant Courses

MUS 100 Make/Listen/Play: Introduction to Music Studies
Make-Listen-Play introduces students to music through the study of musical processes in the fields of performance, theory, composition, and musicology. After mastering essential skills in each of these areas, students will write, stage, and critique a collaborative musical project. It is strongly recommended that students enrolled in the course have the ability to read musical notation (staff music); this skill will be assumed and will not be taught in the course.

MUS 123 Meaning and Music
For general student. Explores aspects of meaning as it pertains to the musical arts. Considers such issues of emotion and music, expectations of the listener, music and representation, and composer/performer intentions.

VMAP 351 Contemporary Theory and Practice for Artists
Introduction to international contemporary art, theory, and criticism with the purpose of increasing critical aptitude and deepening understanding of art and visual culture. Examines the lasting impact of avant-garde practices as well as current trends in the visual arts. Research contemporary art practices through intensive reading, writing, and seminar discussions. To be taken no later than the spring of the junior year.