Virginia Native Arts Alliance

The Virginia Native Arts Alliance aims to provide a channel that supports the preservation of Indigenous history, culture, and traditions of Tsenacommacah (Virginia) to ensure this knowledge is preserved for future generations and to educate the public on the historic and contemporary experiences of Virginia’s Indigenous people.

Our Story

Sun setting behind trees near a modern building with curved roof design and shrubbery in front.

The seal of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe of Virginia with a light blue background, showing birds in flight, a deer jumping, fish, corn, the river, and pottery, encircled by a sunburst of feathers with the tribe's name and state.

In 2022, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe was selected to participate in a two-year project to help Native communities strengthen support for artists and culture bearers. Activities were funded by the Ford Foundation through a grant awarded to the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums. As part of the project, the Virginia Native Arts Alliance (VNAA) was formed and tasked with developing an inventory of cultural assets, conducting a needs assessment, and engaging the community in determining priorities. Although 2024 marked the end of the project period, VNAA chose to continue the important work it set out to do. We are currently pursuing nonprofit status and additional funding to aid our mission of supporting Virginia indigenous artists.

- Tribal Citizen’s Day
- Pamunkey Nunowam Exhibit
- Kenaanee Summer Market
- Community Field trip to NMAI
- Virtual Webinars
- Formation of Artist Directory
- Hardywood Native Market
- Great Big Greenhouse Market
- NMAI Collaboration
- Virtual Webinars
- Cultural Workshops
- Artist Surveys
- Kenaannee Artist Markets
- Expand VNAA Artists
- Expand VNAA artist membership
- Expand and strengthen partnerships with external organizations
- External funding
- Microgrants for emerging artists
- Evaluation of programs and services
- Exhibitions for artists
- Online Shop