Art lovers adore Lynchburg. With six colleges and a number of local theater companies and dance academies, Lynchburg has a multitude of creative opportunities to enjoy and take part in.
Just a few of Central Virginia’s quiver of artistic ventures include:
- Academy of Fine Arts
- Renaissance Theatre
- Liberty University Theatre Department
- Virginia School of the Arts
- The Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra
- Glass Theatre
- The Dance Theatre of Lynchburg
Whether you love the ballet and the symphony or enjoy watching rising artists showcase their work, Lynchburg has something ever art aficionado will enjoy.
Community Theatre
The Renaissance Theatre
(434) 845-4427
Performing classics like “Rent” and various works of Shakespeare, as well as modern plays, this theater, located in downtown Lynchburg, will surely become a favorite. Open space, excellent acoustics and an inviting atmosphere make this one of the best local theatres around.
Dillard Fine Arts Center Theatre
(434) 544-8100
Lynchburg College’s multi-purpose building dedicated to theatre, dance and the arts is a wonderful place to experience a collegiate performance. Past student-produced plays have included “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “The Tempest.”
Glass Theatre
(434) 522-3712
Some of the best, local student-produced theatre productions come from E.C. Glass High School. With performances like “The Music Man” and “Steel Magnolias,” this lively cast of teens is sure to entertain you with their talent and high-energy performances.
Liberty University Department of Theatre
(434) 582-2085
Liberty University has a 25-year history of theatrical productions, ranging from Greek tragedies and musical comedies, to classics and new plays. The Liberty University stage produces six main shows a season, as well as student produced work, cabarets and operas.
Bedford Little Town Players
(540) 586-5881
Named the “2009 Non-Profit of the Year” by the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, this hometown theatre performs plays such as “Don’t Dress for Dinner” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Altavista Little Theater
(434) 369-9622
The Altavista Little Theatre is a group of volunteers dedicated to serving area citizens through the dramatic arts. The normal season includes two performances per year, which are held at the Altavista High School auditorium.
Dance
Dance Theatre of Lynchburg
(434) 846-6272
Founded in 1999, this dance company in downtown Lynchburg offers dance programs in tap, ballet and hip hop.
Virginia School of the Arts
(434) 847-8688
The Virginia School of the Arts (VSA) is a private, residential school that trains performers in the art of ballet. With 25 years of history, VSA is the only institution of its kind in Virginia and only one of six in the country to feature comprehensive curriculum that allows students to explore their creative talents while developing strong dance techniques.
VA Dance Studio
(434) 525-9410.
Central Virginia's premier ballroom dance studio offers group classes, private lessons and parties. Dancercise, Zumba, Hip Hop, Yoga and other classes on hand. Exercise and move to the sound of Tango, Salsa, Swing music and more.
Classical and Choral
Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra
(434) 845-6604
The Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra (LSO) has been entertaining Central Virginia with the sound of music since 1983, attracting listeners from all across the area.
Lynchburg Symphony Youth Orchestra
(434) 845-6675
The Lynchburg Symphony Youth Orchestra is a full orchestra comprised of high schoolstudents and a few very talented middle school students from the area. This devoted group typically rehearses once a week from late September through April, performs two major concerts and participates in various capacities during the school year.
Jefferson Choral Society
(434) 528-5700
Chartered in 1990, and named after Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, the 100-plus members of the Jefferson Choral Society represent 15 different communities in and around Central Virginia.
Cantate, The Children’s and Youth Choir of Central Virginia
(434) 528-1138
Comprised of children throughout Central Virginia, Cantate is an nonprofit organization dedicated to training area youth in proper vocal production, note and score reading and musical interpretation. Grades 3-12, auditioned choir.
Shows, Concerts & Events
The Ellington Fellowship Playhouse
(434) 845-2162
Named in honor of jazz great Duke Ellington, one of The Ellington's goals is to bring people together through a wide array of music. Sine 1984, shows here have featured top national and regional acts in all different styles, from jazz and rock to blues,
zydeco, folk and much more.
The Academy of Fine Arts
(434) 528-3256
The Academy of Fine Arts is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting and presenting the visual and performing arts, while creating opportunities for arts education. These functions are centered in the Academy of Fine Arts complex, anchored by the historic Academy of Music Theatre.
Sedalia Center
(434) 299-5080
Located in Big Island, VA, the Sedalia Center promotes the cultural and performing arts by offering programs, cultural festivals and gallery exhibitions.
RiverFlick Film Series
(434) 845-8850
Free and open to the public, RiverFlick Film Series is a community event located at the corner of Ninth Street and Jefferson Street in downtown Lynchburg. Family-friendly movies are shown in an outdoor theater once a month throughout the summer.
Museums and Galleries
Maier Museum of Art
(434) 947-8136
www.randolphcollege.edu
Since 1920, Randolph College's nationally recognized Maier Museum of Art has featured works by outstanding American artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. The Museum hosts an active schedule of special exhibitions and education programs throughout the year, providing valuable learning opportunities for Randolph students and the Lynchburg community at large.
Riverviews Artspace
(434) 847-7277
Riverviews Artspace promotes the growth and appreciation of contemporary art and artists in Central Virginia through various exhibitions and programs year-round.
Avoca Museum
(434) 369-1076
As an excellent example of 19th Century American Queen Anne architecture, the Avoca museum’s mission is to promote awareness and facilitate understanding of American history, especially as it relates to local and Virginia natural and cultural history. It maintains a collection of Native American artifacts and Confederate memorabilia.
Pest House Medical Museum
(434) 847-1465
Currently located in Lynchburg’s Old City Cemetery, this small, white-frame "Pest House Medical Museum" building was originally built in the 1840s and served as a medical office after the Civil War. From 1987-88, the Southern Memorial Association restored the building to recreate and interpret medical science of the era.
Legacy Museum of African American History
(434) 845-3455
The mission of the Legacy Museum of African American History is to collect, preserve and store historical artifacts, documents and memorabilia relating to significant contributions of the African American Community in Lynchburg and the surrounding area.
Daura Gallery
(434) 544-8343
Located on the campus of Lynchburg College, The Daura Gallery is named in memory of Catalan-American artist Pierre Daura and his wife, Louise. Admission is free.
The Lynchburg/Old Court House Museum
(434) 455-6226
Housed in Lynchburg’s second court house, completed in the Greek Revival style in 1855, the Museum offers locals and tourists alike the opportunity to learn more about those people and places that influenced the Hill City throughout history.
