Artists, performers, makers, and creators can find opportunities to share their talents with the people of Alexandria.

Public Art in Alexandria seeks to provide for future artistic endeavors and the promotion of Alexandria's cultural heritage, strengthen community pride, and foster tourism.  

Arts Grant ProgramThe arts grant program is designed to encourage artistic excellence in the City by assisting Alexandria based arts organizations in providing opportunities for the community to engage with the arts and providing local artists with opportunities to create,

The Office for the Arts provides a variety of literary programs in the community.  Poetry Reading and Workshops are offered throughout the year.  

The Poet Laureate Program promotes appreciation of poetry as an art form; encourages creative writing and reading of all forms of literature; and promotes literacy through poetry.  Poet Laureates serves a three-year term.

You are encouraged to ride the Alexandria Transit Company’s DASH buses and Trolleys in April and May to enjoy the DASHing Words in Motion poetry by local poets.  What a pleasant way to commute through Alexandria!

The City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts has engaged Cultural Planning Group (CPG) to develop a comprehensive, citywide cultural arts plan that shall define the role of the Office of the Arts in supporting, producing, defining, and sustaining arts and culture initiatives throughout the City to accomplish the City’s broader goals.

Founded in 1974 in an old munitions plant, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to the nation’s largest collection of working-artists’ open studios under one roof.

An Alexandria landmark for more than 40 years, it’s the highlight of the Potomac Riverfront, attracting approximately 500,000 visitors annually. sustain the arts in Alexandria, the City of Alexandria manages the Torpedo Factory Art Center as part of the Office of the Arts’ family of programs and facilities.

Activating public spaces throughout Alexandria

The Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center is the Department’s multicultural center for the performing and visual arts. It offers programs in music, dance, theatre, and visual arts for people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. The Durant Art sCenter is located in the Upper King Street neighborhood of Old Town and provides spaces for rehearsals, performances, special events, meetings, and arts focused classes.

Arts and culture not only enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors in a community - the creative economy is a vital element in building and sustaining unique and diverse communities.

The role of the Arts Commission is to provide leadership in the development of a vibrant and sustainable arts community that engages audiences, and to encourage support and appreciation for the arts as a cornerstone of Alexandria's identity and cultural, social, and economic vitality.