Email us if you have or need arts supplies for programs in low-income communities.
Needed Supplies and Spaces
The International School of Charlottesville
Art Appreciation at the International School of Charlottesville seeks to enrich children’s experience with art by teaching them advanced vocabulary to discuss what they see and studio practice to replicate techniques. They currently need portfolios, sketch books, and ink and rollers for printing for twenty students. The supplies will serve to safely house the children’s own artworks as well as give them opportunities to experiment with new materials and techniques. For more information, please email Emily Martin.
Crescent Hall Quilters
Every Friday, a group of quilters meet at Crescent Hall to create fabric masterpieces. The resulting quilts are donated or auctioned off to support a variety of local groups. The group is always in need of fabric, healthy snacks, and sewing machines, but the quilters are also especially in need of new chairs. Often quilters will spend the entire day in the community room at Crescent Hall, which only has folding metal chairs for them to use. If anyone has a comfortable office chair or other type of supportive seat to donate, they’d be incredibly grateful. For more information, please contact info@charlottesvillearts.org or call 434-971-2787.
Music for HOPE
Music for HOPE wants to insure that all children have access to musical instruments and music programs. Through the Instrument Recycling Project, students of all socioeconomic backgrounds have the opportunity to have access to instruments. Music for HOPE collects and refurbishes used instruments, and gets them into the hands of kids or music programs that need them the most.
To donate an instrument or find more information, please email Mike Jones or call 434-632-7860.
Region Ten
The Intensive In-Home Program at Region Ten needs paints, brushes, canvases, sketch paper, markers and any other available arts supplies that can be used in art therapy for the at-risk community of Charlottesville. For more information, please email Lauren Singletary or call 434-962-6751.
Available Supplies and Spaces
Art on Ivy
The Art Box and the Virginia Arts of the Book Center teamed up to create Art on Ivy — and now they are seeking a like-minded group to join them! For the past two years, Art on Ivy has hosted classes and gallery shows in Ivy Square Shopping Center. Now Creative Framing is moving its framing workshop to Crozet. This move will make the lower level at Ivy Square available for more studios. The new studios will be on the lower level, under Creative Framing and The Art Box retail space, and next to the VABC. Currently, the plans include space for two large and one small studios, ranging from 150 to 650 square feet, at roughly $1.10/sqft. Common areas will allow for hallway art shows and possible VABC collaborations. Multiple artists can share a studio. Zoning allows for retail sales as well as workspace. Ivy Square is located on Charlottesville’s West Side, within walking distance to the University. Ivy Square is a regular stopping place for the Farmington and Ednam Forest communities. For more information, or to tour the space, please call Amanda at 434-295-5426, or Raleigh at 434-384-0268.
Studio Space at Firefish Gallery
Firefish Gallery has two studio spaces available for rent. The larger studio is $200/month. The smaller upstairs studio (in a more private setting) is $150/month. Both studios have ample wall space for display. The space gives artists an opportunity to work with a team of resident artists, along with the exposure by being located on the Downtown Mall, being featured on the FIREFISH Gallery website, the ability to participate in group shows, and much more! There are also opportunities to teach classes and and participate in First Friday events. For more information contact Sigrid Eilertson or call (434) 984-1777.
Municipal Arts Center
The Municipal Arts Center has rehearsal and performance space available at reduced rates for arts organizations. The venue is located at 1119 5th Street SW in Charlottesville. Currently, there is 800 square feet of 3rd floor office space available. With convenient access from I-64 and near historic Downtown Charlottesville, the space is divided into a large open area of 680 sq. ft and a private office of 120 sq. ft. Included with the space: electric, water, heat/AC, weekly cleaning, kitchen privileges, 7 parking spaces, and access to other spaces. The space is wired for phone and Comcast cable. The space is ideal for a LOW TRAFFIC organization. For more information, contact the building manager at 434 295-9850.
Studio Space for Natural-Light Photography
There is studio space downtown available for rent by the hour. Located on West Main Street across from the downtown mall, the studio is 500 square feet of industrial space with giant windows that allow for an abundance of natural light from sunrise to sunset. It is best-suited for natural-light photography but all artists are welcome to use this resource. Additional supplies for renters’ use include a 10′ × 10′ wood canvas frame to clip backdrop paper or fabric to, a hanging steel pole for mounting rolls of paper, and furniture for use. Daytime rates before 5pm are $25 per hour, $10 discount for 4 hours and $25 discount for 8 hours. For more information, please email Cat Thrasher or call (703) 864-1712.
Sojourners United Church of Christ
Sojourners United Church of Christ offers reduced rates to local non-profit organizations wishing to rent space. They have a variety of spaces ideal for meetings, catered events, performances, fundraisers, etc. Rooms available include: a small meeting space with living room style furniture; small and medium sized meeting rooms with upholstered chairs and easy to set-up large round tables; performance space (150 seat capacity on main level, 20 seats on stage area) featuring stackable, upholstered chairs and drop-down projection screen. A dozen lightweight tables are stored convenient to performance space. Both floors are handicap accessible. The church is located near downtown Charlottesville with ample on-site and adjacent street parking and has playground and picnic areas on the property. For more information, email Millie Fife or call 434-977-1481.
Matte Board and Framing Supplies
FASTFRAME in Seminole Square Shopping Center has matte board and other framing supplies available for use in art classes and outreach projects. For more information, please contact Tom Otis.
Wainwright Tile & Stone
Wainwright Tile & Stone has tiles of all different sizes, shapes, and materials such as stone glass and ceramic available for all artists. Come by the office to pick up materials during operating hours, Monday and Friday 10:00am-5:00pm and Tuesday-Thursday 10:00am-6:00pm or call (434)245-5216.
