State of RAAC

January 2025

I’m delighted to report that RAAC enters 2025 stronger and more engaged, energetic, and creative than ever. We do this as an all-volunteer organization and, with deep thanks, relying on the financial support, artistic contributions, and participation of the broader community—you!

Settling into our New Home — After four decades as a virtual organization, we now have a place to call home—the Little Washington Theatre. This happened just a year ago thanks to an inspired gift from Nancy Raines! It completes a circle that started at our inception when a group of individuals rented the historic movie house at 291 Gay Street and now, after 42 years, we’ve landed where RAAC began. Our Board is eager to steward this performing arts asset and has big plans to renovate this county gem. Stay tuned!

Our Conviction — a community infused with the arts is stronger, livelier, and more connected. This conviction has remained true since our founding and has given rise to our expanding arts programming for children, free concerts, and an array of other arts programs and events.

Children’s Arts Programs — enabling kids to explore, experience and develop skills in the arts. Highlights from last year include: annual RAAC Scholarship Award to a graduating high school student; Summer Chorus & Drama Program now under RAAC’s direct leadership; Headwaters’ after-school enrichment program; art workshops for SPARK summer camps (public schools and Headwaters); student murals showcased at RAAC’s Fall Art Tour from five County schools; RAAC grants for art projects, private instrumental lessons, school plays, song writing workshops, and band coaching; music and arts activities at CCLC for our very young children; and new initiatives such as master classes for musicians, internships with RAAC Community Theatre, artists-in-residence at the schools.

Concerts — bringing our diverse community together with music. Our Sperryville Summer Concerts (teamed with Sperryville Community Alliance) brought neighbors together who listened and danced 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 Gold Top County Ramblers 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 John Jackson Piedmont Blues Festival produced by the Virginia Cooperative Extension event honoring a renowned Rappahannock native.

Community Theater — enjoyed a successful year with sold-out performances to Steel Magnolias, Endgame, and No Ordinary Person. Twelve Days of Christmas, alas, was cut short after two performances by the return of Covid! The arrival of new thespians added to the already high-energy of our community players.

Artist & Writer Talks — our popular Soup&Soul, held at private homes and wineries, featured top local artists such as Linda Croxson last year and launched 2025 with David and Edie Tatel. Celebrated authors, such as Edward Dolnick, Judd Swift, and Jennifer Ackerman shared unique perspectives on their lives and work at the library and theater.

Fall Art Tour — our largest event has become a regional destination for art lovers that combines Piedmont scenery with tempting culinary and lodging options. The 2024 Tour attracted one of our largest crowds ever, much to the delight of local artists and businesses. The Art Tour plays an important role in furthering the County’s tourism goals, and RAAC has increased participation for all by making the Tour free for visitors.

First-run Movies — curated films hit a responsive chord in 2024 with our moviegoers who enjoyed Anatomy of a Fall, Past Lives, Dune-2, Taste of Things, Wicked Little Letters, and Lee. We started 2025 with Conclave and more fabulous films are coming your way along with documentaries and film-talkback events.

Ephemeral Art Exhibit — in collaboration with the Sperryville Alliance and RLEP, this outdoor exhibit at the public park and along the Sperryville River Walk has become a favorite way to enjoy the interplay between art and nature.

RAAC’s Mitchell Arts Fund — continued to inject needed financial resources into the arts community—to individuals and organizations. Grants supported community performances by and for students, dance scholarships, creation and production of original music, arts and crafts camp, art and music classes, workshops, continuing education and more.

Keeping You Informed — our new brochure and the 1982-2024 RAAC Retrospective are available at the Little Washington Theatre, public library, and Visitors Center. Subscribe to Look & Listen, emailed biweekly, and stay abreast of local arts happenings by clicking Get the News.

Financial Perspective — RAAC remains rock solid. We operate in the black, and our contingency fund can meet challenges and emerging opportunities. Our success in 2024 was enabled significantly by grants awarded last year from the Virginia Commission for the Arts (matched by the County), PATH Foundation, Fagus Foundation, Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, and the Lykes Rappahannock Community Fund.

Our organization rests on three pillars — dedicated and talented volunteers; artists, musicians and other creatives who make our programs happen; and supporters who contribute to RAAC so generously. And guiding this endeavor is a Board recognized for its energy, vision, camaraderie, and thoughtfulness.

On a personal note, my wife and I were drawn to Rappahannock by its intimate beauty. What keeps us is the community and quality of life fostered by neighbors, RAAC and other nonprofits. For me, this dovetails seamlessly with RAAC’s mission to Inspire Art and Build Community!

Thank you!
Matthew Black, President
Rappahannock Association for Arts & Community

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