Arts Advocacy
Need to contact your elected officials? Want to know what a nonprofit can or can’t do when advocating for the arts? To learn more about our arts advocacy, sign up for the Fairfax Arts Network and visit our Advocacy page.
Arts Digest
ARTSFAIRFAX’s Arts Digest Blog provides monthly stories showcasing the impact and accomplishments of organizations and artists in Fairfax County.
Arts Directory
Our Arts Directory provides information about the more than 200 nonprofit arts organizations, individual teaching artists and professional artists residing in Fairfax County, plus the nearly 100 annual outdoor festivals in Fairfax County that serve the more than one million Fairfax County residents as well as visitors.
Arts Education
- The Studio Thinking Project: A multi-year investigation in how the arts taught, what students learn and how teachers design instruction for the arts.
- Teaching Critical Thinking through Art with the National Gallery of Art: Learn how to integrate works of art using Artful Thinking routines, effective strategies from Project Zero at Harvard University, in this online course for teachers of all levels and subjects.
- Artful Thinking: The goal of the Artful Thinking program is to help students develop thinking dispositions that support thoughtful learning – in the arts, and across school subjects.
- The Kennedy Center’s Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA): Professional learning for educators and teaching artists
Arts Access Resources
ARTSFAIRFAX believes arts experiences should be accessible to everyone. As society changes, so must arts organizations adapt to meet the changing needs of its audiences and community. The tools and resources in this section are intended to provide arts organizations with assistance in making their programs and facilities accessible to people with disabilities.
- DC Arts & Access: a consortium of arts leaders from the Washington, DC metropolitan area, who focus on making their cultural venues and programs accessible to people with disabilities.
- Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Kennedy Center: a professional network focused on expanding the breadth and scope of accessibility services and programming across the country. Holds an annual conference and has a range of resources on its site.
- Theatre Development Fund: A New York City non-profit that provides a range of accessibility services to its member organizations. A good overview of the types of audio and visual aids available.
- Didlake: Provides services to people with disabilities, including job opportunities, day support and services to local businesses. An example of a potential community partner that can help organizations connect with these prospective audiences.
- Arts Midwest Accessibility Center: One of six regional arts organizations, Arts Midwest has compiled an accessibility toolbox for arts organizations. Although there is some overlap with the resources here, it provides a succinct set of links and information for cultural organizations.
- Design for Accessibility: This management handbook is designed to help organizations not only comply with Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, but also to assist in making access an integral part of planning, mission, programs, outreach, meetings, budget and staffing.
Arts Venues
Looking for a professional theatre? Interested in finding a dance venue? Curious what art galleries are local? Visit this map of Performing and Visual Arts Venues in the Metropolitan Washington DC Region to find local arts venues.
Capital One Hall
Capital One Hall is scheduled to open in September 2021 with a state of the art concert hall, black box theatre, and classrooms available for community use at specially negotiated rates for Fairfax County-based non-profit arts groups, and arts-related programming by Fairfax County agencies and Fairfax County Public schools. ARTSFAIRFAX is accepting online applications for use of the spaces on behalf of the county. Applications will be screened for eligibility and provided to the County. Approved arts organizations and programs will be submitted to Capital One Hall’s operator for integration into the first season’s schedule. Please review all the documentation before submitting your application. The application has closed for season 1, please check back in May 2020 for the season 2 application.
Seasonal List Development Calendar
Learn More About Plans for Capital One Center
Capital One Hall Technical Specifications
Employment Opportunities in the Arts
ARTSFAIRFAX features employment opportunities at Fairfax County nonprofit arts organizations as well as opportunities available to local artists. Visit our Employment Opportunities page to learn more.
Event Calendar
ARTSFAIRFAX’s calendar features upcoming events open to public participation in Fairfax County. Visit our calendar to learn more.
Public Art
To learn more about our public art resources, visit our Master Arts Plan page.
Public Art Inventory
We’re building an inventory of public art in Fairfax County, and you can help. Visit: imagineartfairfax.crowdmap.com to see art in public spaces throughout Fairfax, tag the art you see in your community and suggest areas where you would like to experience public art.