State of RAAC

March 2026

Three months into 2026, RAAC remains strong, creative, and deeply engaged in the life of our county. For more than forty years we have operated as an all-volunteer organization made possible by the generosity, talent, and participation of the community—you. Together we continue to expand opportunities for people of all ages to experience and create art in Rappahannock.

Our Conviction — RAAC was founded on a simple belief: communities infused with the arts are stronger, more vibrant, and more connected. That conviction continues to guide our programs—from children’s arts education to concerts, theater, film, and community events.

Here’s a quick summary of all things RAAC for this past year:

The Little Washington Theatre & Renovation — Owning the historic Little Washington Theatre continues to expand possibilities for the arts in our county. Over the past year the Theatre has hosted plays, films, concerts, talks, and community gatherings. We now have launched a major renovation project that will expand the lobby, build ADA-compliant bathrooms, create a new backstage, and upgrade our lighting, acoustics, and technical infrastructure. These improvements will ensure the Theatre can serve audiences, performers, and the community for decades to come. We’ll begin construction this June.

Children’s Arts Programs — RAAC supports many ways for young people to explore the arts. Highlights include our annual scholarship for a graduating high school senior, the Summer Chorus & Drama program, Headwaters after-school enrichment, arts workshops for summer camps, school murals featured on the Fall Art Tour, and Mitchell Fund grants supporting lessons, performances, and creative projects.

Concerts — RAAC brings neighbors together through music. Our Sperryville Summer Concerts (teamed with Sperryville Community Alliance) brought neighbors together to listen and dance to their favorite local bands next to the Thornton River; co-sponsored the John Bourgeois Concert Band at the July 2nd Concert at Avon Hall; underwrote the JunkFood Trio performance at the July 4th fireworks produced by the Sperryville Fire Department; arranged for local bands to entertain visitors at SperryFest produced by the Sperryville Community Alliance; co-sponsored the music for the John Jackson Piedmont Blues Festival honoring a renown Rappahannock native, an event produced by the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Community Theatre — RAAC’s community theatre troupe continues to thrive, bringing together volunteer actors, designers, technicians, and enthusiastic audiences. Highlights for the past year at the Little Washington Theatre included the gripping performance of Twelve Angry Jurors, the outstanding musical Always, Patsy Cline, and the delightful holiday show, The Emperor’s New Clothes. RAAC hosted Cambridge University’s performance of Macbeth and the Charlottesville Cottage Industry’s highly original production of Queen Lear. In total we reached close to 2,000 people. We have big plans for roving performances during the time that the Theatre is going through renovation. Stay tuned!

Artist & Author Talks — RAAC’s Soup & Soul series, RAAC Talks, and film programs bring the community together through intimate conversations with artists, writers, and thinkers in homes, wineries, the library, and the Theatre. Recent highlights include a screening of News Without a Newsroom with publisher Dennis Brack, a talk by Paula Whyman on restoring native meadows, and presentations by Jane Livingston on photographer Lee Miller and David Chaffetz on Raiders, Rulers and Traders.

Fall Art Tour — RAAC’s Fall Art Tour remains one of the county’s signature events, drawing approximately 1,800 visitors last year to explore studios and galleries across Rappahannock while enjoying the county’s scenery, food, and hospitality. Keeping the Tour free ensures it remains welcoming to all. The impact is clear: three-quarters of participating artists reported sales equal to or better than the previous year. Behind the scenes, the Tour was supported by a strong and dedicated corps of 80 volunteers

Film — RAAC has brought a steady stream of engaging and critically acclaimed films to the Little Washington Theatre, creating a shared cinematic experience for our rural Rappahannock community. Recent screenings have ranged from important new releases and documentaries to beloved classics, including Emilia Perez, News Without a Newsroom, Black Bag, When Harry Met Sally, and Cocteau’s Beauty and the Beast.

Ephemeral Art Exhibit — The Ephemeral Art Exhibit along the Sperryville River Walk—created with the Sperryville Community Alliance and RLEP—invites residents and visitors to experience art in dialogue with nature. Entering its 5th year, it has hosted 17 different art installations.

Mitchell Arts Fund — RAAC’s Mitchell Arts Fund continues to support artists and arts organizations across the county through grants for performances, workshops, education, and creative projects. Last year we awarded $35,000 in grants.

Keeping You Informed — We keep our 2,500 subscribers connected with arts events happening across the county through RAAC’s biweekly Look & Listen newsletter.

Financial Perspective — RAAC remains financially sound thanks to the support of donors, grants, and community partnerships, including the Virginia Commission for the Arts (matched by the County), PATH Foundation, Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, and other generous funders.

A Community Effort — RAAC rests on three pillars: dedicated volunteers, the artists who bring our programs to life, and the supporters who make it all possible. Together they sustain an organization committed to inspiring art and building community.
Thank you for being part of it.

Matthew Black, President
Rappahannock Association for Arts & Community

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