Arts & Culture

The City of Roanoke views art and culture as integral to the community because of their potential to enhance the quality of life for Roanoke’s citizens, increase tourism, support education, foster wellbeing, strengthen all of our voices, and stimulate the economy. Roanoke also sees public art as a tool to create a heightened sense of place and community identity, enliven the visual quality of public space, and enrich the spirit and pride of our citizens. Join with us as we explore all the arts can do in our corner of the world.

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ART CALL!  Submit your existing or new art on our theme Welcome to Roanoke

The Roanoke Arts Commission seeks exhibition-ready art for a ten-month exhibit in the City of Roanoke Municipal Building.  The exhibition, Welcome to Roanoke: Images of a Compassionate, Diverse, and Welcoming Community will be curated by members of the RAC Collections Committee.

We welcome submissions by artists of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. Get all the information and submit here. 

Entries due by midnight, Tuesday, August 31.

FY 2022 Arts and Cultural Funding

Congratulations to our partner organizations. We look forward to some fantastic arts, cultural, and educational programming in the coming year.

See all funded organizations.

an image of a mural being painted by young refugees

WELCOMING ROANOKE CELEBRATES NATURALIZED CITIZENS, NEW GRADUATES, AND WORLD REFUGEE DAY

On June 19, the community celebrated the region's newest naturalized citizens, young refugees graduating from high school, and World Refugee Day.  Partners such as Blue Ridge Literacy, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Local Colors and the League of Women Voters put on the event, sponsored through a grant by Old Navy.  

A special feature of the day was the creation of a 16' by 8' mural led by artist Ashley Proffitt, an employee of Commonwealth Catholic Charities, and painted by refugee youth.  When the mural is completed with additional paint and varnish, the City will work with Ashley to find a display location.

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CLEAN STREETS Jingle Results

We challenged the community to inspire us as stewards of our streams and streets, and boy, did you deliver! Congratulations to all of our contestants. We had a great time listening.

Our five winners will receive a $100 Downtown Roanoke gift card and the opportunity for their jingles to be played in the Roanoke City Market Building and at Center in the Square. All other entrants will receive a $25 Downtown Roanoke gift card, and everybody gets a Clean Streets SWAG bag from Roanoke Stormwater and Clean Valley Council.

Hear the jingles here!

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS SAY WE ARE ART

Roanoke City Public Schools students have created works of art inspired by a recent Roanoke City Libraries and the Roanoke Arts Commission video. In person and virtual art students chose lyrics from the WE ARE ART Rap Cypher that resonated with them and sparked their imaginations to create unique artworks. Students chose to draw, paint, or collage to create their pieces.

 The project was coordinated by art teachers at two participating schools: Christina Gramm at Fairview Elementary and Christina Simpson at Westside Elementary.

 We’re told the students were elated to become a part of this project and to use their art as a vehicle for self-expression, but we bet we were even more excited to see their efforts! Thank you students and teachers. We love your work…”beautifully made, a different caliber.”

Check out the video gallery here!


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THE NEW BLOG

Visit and subscribe to the Roanoke Arts Blog for frequent updates on projects, resources and opportunities.





The Roanoke Arts Commission is responsible for overseeing the development of Arts and Culture in the City of Roanoke.

The mission of the Roanoke Arts Commission (RAC), as established in 1983, is to “advise and assist city council on matters relating to the advancement of the arts and humanities within the city” to establish Roanoke as a vibrant, prosperous community where arts and culture engage people in all aspects of life. The RAC increases the collective impact of the arts and cultural community by:

    • Advocating for arts cultural initiatives and investment
    • Managing and informing the City’s Public Art Plan.
    • Advancing the City’s Arts and Cultural Plan.
    • Guiding City investments in arts and culture.