Mission and Objectives:

The Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads is a non-profit organization whose mission is to stimulate cultural vitality and facilitate the development of healthy and dynamic cultural institutions throughout the region.
The Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads serves our members and the community by:

Advocating public and private financial investments in the arts and cultural organizations.

Encouraging community participation in the arts and cultural activities.
Assisting cultural institutions in meeting their needs through targeted programs and services.
Providing forums for communication and collaboration.

History

In 1976, the Metropolitan Arts Congress undertook and published a study to determine cultural needs in South Hampton Roads. Funded by the Norfolk Foundation, "Blueprint For A Rainbow" recommended that major cultural planning be undertaken involving Southside cultural institutions. In 1982, Peninsula cultural organizations were invited to participate and they accepted.

This led to a seven month planning process led by nationally known arts planner Ralph Burgard and involved Peninsula and Southside cities, counties and cultural organizations. It was supervised by a citizen's planning committee of leaders from business, culture, education, local government, and public service, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Clarence Holland, former mayor of Virginia Beach. The final result of this process was the Greater Hampton Roads Cultural Action Plan published by the newly formed Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads in June 1983 to carry out the programs and recommendations of the Cultural Action Plan.

There are more than 350 arts & cultural organizations in Hampton Roads: world renowned museums, a premier opera company, a classical symphony and pops orchestra, a prominent regional performance theatre, an important ballet academy, many active community theaters, orchestras, dance troupes, choral groups, visual artists, art centers, galleries and individual artists in all disciplines that all make their home in the area from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach.

With such an active cultural community, there is a need to gather information, coordinate dates, and help make people more aware of the many cultural opportunities available in the area. With a variety of programs, the Alliance functions as a Chamber of Culture for the arts and cultural organizations, directly serving these organizations and the public in the Hampton Roads area.

The Cultural Alliance has played an active role in the Hampton Roads' arts and cultural community for more than two decades and continues to carry out its mission, even at a time when national and state funding for arts and culture continues to be cut.