A joint project of the Roanoke Arts Commission and the Roanoke Cultural Endowment in collaboration with Virginia Tech’s M.F.A. program in Theatre, Arts Leadership.
Project Description:
CultureCheck Roanoke is a multi-phase research project supported by the Roanoke Arts Commission and the Roanoke Cultural Endowment for the dual purposes of better understanding how arts and culture organizations are engaged with the community and how they are recovering post-pandemic.
Inspired by the model of PA CultureCheck, CultureCheck Roanoke is the next step in supporting the ongoing integration of Roanoke’s arts and cultural sector into long-term community planning.
This report represents phase 1 of the CultureCheck Roanoke study and took place between September and November of 2024. It was conducted by Arts Leadership graduate students at Virginia Tech. For this phase of the study, 33 arts and cultural organizations were invited to complete an online survey and participate in listening sessions.
This initiative seeks to identify and examine emerging trends, practices, needs, challenges, and aspirations within Roanoke’s arts and culture ecosystem. The findings will inform advocacy and marketing strategies, support the development of a new strategic plan for Roanoke Arts & Culture, and enhance the overall engagement and impact of the arts in the community.
Acknowledgements:
We thank the student researchers and their guiding faculty and longstanding friends of the Roanoke arts community, Virginia Tech Associate Professor Amanda J. Nelson, Ph.D. We also extend our special thanks to Kristen Vinh and Nick Crosson from PA CultureCheck for their invaluable guidance and support.
And thank you to our nonprofit partners for taking the survey and participating in focus groups. We appreciate your partnership and all you do in creating every day the place we want to be.
Virginia Tech Student Research Team:
- Ashley Cooper, Project Lead and Lead Coordinator
- Bria Weisz, Project Manager
- Kasey Socks, Lead Researcher
- Caili Harris, Client Relationship Manager
