Vision
We envision the Charlottesville area as a place where a thriving group of local artists unsettles and transforms our community to work toward a more just, beautiful future.
Mission
New City Arts Initiative (NCAI) brings together local creators and the local community to spark connection, inquiry, and social transformation. We resource artists to make and share their work and offer programs that welcome diverse audiences to have meaningful encounters with art. Founded in 2009 by members of the local faith community, NCAI honors art’s unique ability to connect people by speaking to deep human experiences. We function as a welcoming hub for people seeking those connections.
Our Values
Welcome
We believe everyone should have access to the power of art, regardless of background, age, or expertise. And we acknowledge that the art world can be intimidating and elitist. NCAI is committed to being an arts space where diverse audiences and artists feel they belong.
Equity and Diversity
Artists have always been at the forefront of social change. We are committed to supporting artists most impacted by societal injustice. We believe they can help us to simultaneously see the truth of the world as it is—and how it could be.
Curiosity
Powerful encounters with art often arrive in unexpected ways. We strive to create community spaces where a curious approach to art fosters connection, listening, and learning among people of different backgrounds and experiences.
Faith in Practice
Founded by Charlottesville artists located in Christian traditions, our faith commitments undergird our mission to support an equitable, accessible, and vibrant art community. We support and welcome all artists, regardless of their own faith identity. We know the church has been an agent of harm and exclusion for many. Motivated by a conviction that we are called to help repair and build towards a more just world, an important part of our work is to model a faith that is liberative and inviting to all—especially queer people, people of color, and people of different faiths.
What We Do
Education
By hosting an array of educational opportunities—such as artist talks, workshops, and interviews where local artists share about their practice, experience, and craft—we foster opportunities for community building and artistic professional development through dialogue and learning.
Vocation
We are committed to helping make Charlottesville a place where artists can live and work. In response to artists’ needs, we offer free studio space, a low-commission gallery, artist grants, and networking opportunities.
Community
New City Arts works together with community members and partner organizations to spark connectivity and bolster people-centered, creative solutions to economic and social challenges. We maintain a flexible, responsive approach to programming and community engagement.