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.

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.

Microgrants will be awarded up to $1,000, no cash match required. Artists 18 years and older can submit projects and/or programs that are free, and open to the public and benefit the City of Alexandria residents. Successful applications will demonstrate that the project supports community representation and cultural respect, encourage cultural diversity and/or enhance underserved communities, neighborhoods or populations of the City of 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. 

Meet Alexandria's Mobile Art Lab - activating public space.

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 Center is located in the Upper King Street neighborhood of Old Town and provides spaces for rehearsals, performances, special events, meetings, and arts focused classes.

The City of Alexandria's Office of the Arts is pleased to introduce the following six artists selected for the second season of Alexandria's Community Supported Art (CSA)

Time & Place is an initiative of the Alexandria Office of the Arts’ public art program to invite artists with research based practices to create thought provoking, temporary artwork at sites managed by the Office

The role of the City's Poet Laureate is to promote appreciation of poetry as an art form; to encourage creative writing and reading of all forms of literature; and to promote literacy through poetry.  The Poet Laureate serves a three-year term.

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