In a year of physical distancing, the City of Alexandria created this Artful Gift Guide to help sustain the local creative economy. Shop with 20 local artists and makers from across the tri-state area a juried selection of jewelry, wearables, home goods, prints, and original works of art at every price point. The guide will be active through January 9, 2021.

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

Updated resources and opportunities for artists and arts organizations during COVID-19

The City of Alexandria Arts Grants are designed to encourage artistic excellence by assisting artists and organizations in providing opportunities for Alexandria's residents and visitors to engage and experience quality arts programs throughout the city.

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.  

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.

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.

Activating public spaces throughout Alexandria

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!

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.