Downtown theaters, art communities, and college-sponsored programs provide local citizens with a variety of artistic choices

Virginia School of the Arts students come from all over the country and have been invited to join dozens of dance companies. Photo: Virginia School of the Arts

A scene from the Academy Players’ Anything Goes, May 2007 at the Academy of Fine Arts. Photo: Jeremiah Guelzo

Maier Museum of Art is nationally recognized for its nineteenth-and twentieth-century collections and is located on the campus of Randolph College.

Home to the Virginia School of the Arts, The Academy of Fine Arts, the Dance Theatre of Lynchburg and Riverviews Artspace, Lynchburg has an abundance of creative opportunities available to lovers of the arts.

The presence of six colleges adds immeasurably to Central Virginia’s cultural landscape, pulling in not only entertainment but also internationally known speakers. With more than one dozen bookstores, Lynchburg is a frequent stop for book-signings and lectures by authors on tour.

Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in music, dance, theater, or visual arts, you will find an outlet in Lynchburg and its surrounding areas.

Community Theater

• The Renaissance Theater: The theater, located on Commerce Street, offers an open space, excellent acoustics, and an inviting atmosphere to enjoy the best of local theatre. (434) 845-4427
• Dillard Fine Arts Center Theatre: The multi-purpose building, on the campus of Lynchburg College, is the site of numerous art exhibitions and student-produced plays, as well as a variety of receptions and other special events. (434) 544-8100
• Bedford Little Town Players: Founded in 1975, its purpose is to promote, organize, rehearse and present theatrical productions for the education, enjoyment, and literary enlightenment of the members of the organization and general public. (540) 586-5881
• Altavista Little Theater: The Altavista Little Theatre is a group of volunteers dedicated to serving area citizens through dramatic arts. The normal season includes two performances per year, which are held at the Altavista High School auditorium. (434) 369-9622
• The Little Dinner Theater: Interactive theatre that will have you dancing in the aisles. Check out this company if you are ready to have a good time and don’t mind getting water splashed in your face. (434) 239-7250

Dance

• The Dance Theatre of Lynchburg: The Dance Theatre of Lynchburg offers accessible dance programs in Lynchburg’s revitalized downtown area. (434) 846-6272
• Virginia School of the Arts: The Virginia School of the Arts, a private residential and day school, offers a comprehensive dance curriculum in which students have the opportunity to explore their creative talents as well as develop strong dance technique and pursue a full academic program. It is the only institution of its kind in Virginia, nationally one of only six. (434) 847-8688

Classical and Choral

• Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra: Since 1983, The Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra (LSO) has added music to our lives, educated our children, and added a cultural dimension to the special quality of life that draws families and businesses to Central Virginia. (434) 845-6675
• Lynchburg Symphony Youth Orchestra: The Lynchburg Symphony Youth Orchestra is a full orchestra comprised of high school students and a few talented middle school students. (434) 845-6675
• Jefferson Choral Society: The 100-plus voices that comprise the Jefferson Choral Society represent 15 different communities in and around Central Virginia. The name was chosen because of proximity to Thomas Jefferson’s summer home, Poplar Forest, and his love of classical music. (434) 528-5700
• Cantate: Cantate is an organization dedicated to bringing classical choral music to the children and youth of Central Virginia. (434) 544-8443

Shows, Concerts and Events

• The Ellington Fellowship Playhouse: The Ellington is dedicated to jazz great Duke Ellington. You’ll find a mix of musical styles on the Ellington stage, and legendary performers including Doc Watson, Chuck Mangione, Taj Mahal, Junior Walker, Delbert McClinton, the Dirty Dozen, Duke Robillard and many more. (434) 845-2162
• The Academy of Fine Arts: Established through a merger between the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center and the Academy of Music, the purpose of the Academy of Fine Arts is to preserve the best goals and achievements of the two long-standing and respected arts organizations. (434) 528-3256
• Sedalia Center: It is dedicated to cultural arts in Central Virginia hosting a variety of music festivals throughout the year, spotlighting bluegrass, blues and Celtic music. (434) 299-5080 
• RiverFlick Film Series: RiverFlick is a free community event which shows family-friendly movies in an outdoor theater once a month throughout the summer. Movie classics are selected from a variety of genres to appeal to a wide audience. (434) 845-8850

Museums and Galleries

• Maier Museum of Art: Randolph College’s nationally recognized Maier Museum of Art features works by outstanding American artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. (434) 947-8000
• Riverviews Artspace: On the revitalized Lynchburg Riverfront, Riverviews Artspace presents exhibitions of regionally, nationally and internationally recognized artists. (434) 847-7277
• Avoca Museum: The house is an excellent example of 19th Century American Queen Anne architecture. It contains a unique collection of local antiques, including Native American artifacts and Civil War memorabilia. (434) 369-1076
• Pest House Medical Museum: The small, white-frame “Pest House Medical Museum” building—now located in the Old City Cemetery—was originally built in the 1840s and served as a medical office after the Civil War. In 1987-88 the Southern Memorial Association restored the building to recreate and interpret medical science of the era. (434) 847-1465
• Legacy Museum of African American History: This museum offers exhibitions and programs on all aspects of local African American history and culture from the first arrival of Africans in Lynchburg until the present day. (434) 845-3455
• Daura Gallery: The Daura Gallery, on the campus of Lynchburg College, features an art collection that includes paintings, drawings, prints, and sculpture by Pierre Daura and many other American and European artists. (434) 544-8343
• Court House Museum: The newly refurbished historical landmark in downtown Lynchburg is the home of Central Virginia’s best collection of memorabilia, fine furnishings, paintings, costumes, and industrial history. (434) 455-6226

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