Artists Welcome!
Downtown Luray, VA Now An Art and Cultural District Luray, VA
On February 8, 2010 the Luray Town Council voted. The Council officially declared a major portion of downtown Luray an “Arts and Cultural District.” The Virginia General Assembly historically has granted this designation. But, in 2009, former Governor Tim Kaine signed legislation granting individual localities authority to create arts and cultural districts. Economic development advocates, Luray Downtown Initiative (LDI) and Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce (LPCC), with the help of local citizens introduced this opportunity to community leaders in late 2009.
View Luray Arts & Cultural District Map
Arts and Cultural District Benefits
The official cultural district designation will capitalize on the existing cultural events and opportunities and prepare the district for enhanced marketing efforts and celebration of all cultures that make our community unique. It will also expose assets that could create a new market of potential business in the district, as well as sustain an already established environment.
Benefits include:
- Beautified and animated downtown
- Increased and diversified employment opportunities
- Art education and enhancement
- Greater tourist and resident attraction
- Enhanced property values
- Expanded tax base
- Improved creative and innovative environment
The Arts & Cultural District will celebrate, promote and enhance the cultural heritage of the community. It will lay a foundation for the Downtown District to become a premiere art and cultural destination. It will focus on establishing partnerships, funding resources and opening lines of communication between local community organizations and Page County residents.
Formation of an Arts Council
The Arts Council (housed under LDI because of its 501(C)3 status) was organized and one of its first goals is to establish an arts and cultural district in Luray and initiate a request for a formal designation. It prepared information and suggestions to Town Council, using a small group of interested volunteers.
The role of a council could provide leadership in mobilizing cooperation and involvement from various groups and citizens in order to grow the local art economy, thereby creating jobs and increasing income levels. Efforts will focus on capitalizing and enhancing the efforts of existing arts & cultural initiatives by: facilitating collaborative marketing and service efforts; securing funding to support economic development within the creative economy; and attracting business and tourism to the proposed cultural district.
Page Valley Arts Council Established
A countywide representation was determined important in building a creative economy, pulling artists and an audience from outside the district and naming the council Page Valley Arts Council. The first order of business was to concentrate on a strategic plan to find funding resources.
The first phase of this plan is to define our demographics- what and who is out their offering art and appreciating art. This planning process will involve citizens, local organizations and businesses who are interested and/or already committed to enriching the community through promoting creativity, entrepreneurship and arts & culture. The “creative economy” initiatives will touch a wide range of profit and non-profit organizations including individual artists, musicians, design studios, shops, technology companies, libraries, composers, musicians, performing arts venues, festivals/events, agricultural markets, education, artisan manufacturing, graphic design, etc.
Eight-member Arts Council Board was established to coordinate involvement from various local sectors. First priority is to involve local artists and art audiences and gather information about the artists in our area by asking them to join an art directory.
The Arts Council asked for feedback through a series of questions placed on blog sites and Facebook.
Page Valley Arts Council has started work on a strategic plan that will be completed in the first quarter of 2011
Luray Art/Mural Walk