Since the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts opened its doors more than 80 years ago, education has been at the heart of our mission to enrich the lives of all Virginians through the arts. Through a rich schedule of events and classes in Richmond, statewide initiatives that touch every corner of the Commonwealth, and an ever-expanding library of digital resources, VMFA’s education programs served nearly a million people last year.
In keeping with our commitment to accessibility, VMFA strives to provide all visitors—from “infants to infinity”—with a multitude of ways to engage with a global collection of nearly 50,000 works of art. From artist talks and gallery tours to studio classes and summer camps, there are opportunities at every stage of life to learn, reflect, and create. Many programs are free or modestly priced to cover the cost of materials.
Hands-on programs, such as Young @ Art, Open Studio Sunday, and Family Day celebrations of world cultures are a great way for families with young children to experience VMFA. Teens can develop leadership skills while exploring careers in museums and the arts through semester-long programs like Teen Stylin’ and M.LiT (Museum Leaders in Training). VMFA also integrates the arts into classrooms across Virginia with school group tours, teacher workshops, a distance-learning program that connects students with an educator livestreaming from the galleries, and extensive online resources that are free to all. Recent growth in virtual and hybrid programs means that more people than ever before, including those far from Richmond or unable to attend in person, can enjoy performances or hear from VMFA curators and other experts.
Your Gifts at Work
With the help of loyal friends and supporters, VMFA has been able to reach incredible milestones such as:
- 1,330 education programs (onsite and statewide) offered in 2021
- 982,715 people served through education programs (onsite and statewide) in 2021
- 1,500+ statewide partners (including schools, retirement communities, hospitals, museums, and more)
We couldn’t have achieved these milestones without the support of friends like you! To learn how you can use your estate plan to make an even greater impact on VMFA’s future, please contact Marie Hawthorne, Senior Development Officer, at 804.340.1335 or marie.hawthorne@vmfa.museum.