Virginia Arts Festival

Virginia Arts Festival's Education Outreach

Since 1997, the Virginia Arts Festival has transformed the cultural scene in southeastern Virginia, presenting great performers from around the world to local audiences and making this historic, recreation-rich region a cultural destination for visitors from across the United States and around the world. The Festival’s arts education programs reach tens of thousands of area schoolchildren each year through student matinees, in-school performances, artists’ residencies, master classes and demonstrations.

In 2025, VAF's education programs has already reached students over 15,000 different students! Not only that, but all education programs are available to students regardless of their financial abilities and background. Just this past April with the Virginia International Tattoo - cast members from all over the world supported 25 in-school visits and hosted 3 student matinees that welcomed in over 15,000 students. The support of our donors makes this possible. 

Learn more about the Festival's year-round education programs!

Who We Are

The mission of the Virginia Arts Festival is to bring world-class performing arts to our citizens and visitors, impact the lives of students through outstanding educational programs, commission new works of national and international significance, and make a tangible difference in Hampton Roads through regional partnerships and cultural tourism.