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

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

Tsenacommacah Is For Natives. Originally installed in 2022 at Libby Hill Park in Richmond, VA, this piece was created by Pamunkey artists, and VNAA's founders. In 2023, this piece was installed at the Chrysler Museum of Art (Norfolk, VA) in recogniti

Tsenacommacah Is For Natives. Originally installed in 2022 at Libby Hill Park in Richmond, VA, this piece was created by Pamunkey artists, and VNAA's founders. In 2023, this piece was installed at the Chrysler Museum of Art (Norfolk, VA) in recognition of the land on which it stands.

Tsenacommacah (Powhatan Algonquin) refers to the land commonly known as "Virginia".

Tsenacommacah (Powhatan Algonquin) refers to the land commonly known as "Virginia".

Pamunkey citizens, VNAA founders and former Pamunkey Cultural Resource Director, Shaleigh Howells stand in front of the Tsenacommacah installation in Libby Hill Park.

Pamunkey citizens, VNAA founders and former Pamunkey Cultural Resource Director, Shaleigh Howells stand in front of the Tsenacommacah installation in Libby Hill Park.

Kenaanee Fall Market 2024 at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Richmond, VA).

Kenaanee Fall Market 2024 at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Richmond, VA).

Kenaanee Fall Market 2024

Kenaanee Fall Market 2024

VNAA and the National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.) provide tribal members with a behind the scenes tour of Pamunkey collections.

VNAA and the National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.) provide tribal members with a behind the scenes tour of Pamunkey collections.

VESSELED exhibit at The Brickhouse RVA March 15-April 5, 2024. Contemporary Indigenous Art Exhibit in conjunction with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts 38th Annual Conference.

VESSELED exhibit at The Brickhouse RVA March 15-April 5, 2024. Contemporary Indigenous Art Exhibit in conjunction with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts 38th Annual Conference.

VESSELED Exhibit. Artist: Ethan Brown.

VESSELED Exhibit. Artist: Ethan Brown.

VESSELED Exhibit. Artist: Layne Cook.

VESSELED Exhibit. Artist: Layne Cook.

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