About The Cultural Current
The Cultural Current is an independent publication covering the forces shaping culture in Richmond and across Virginia.
We report on where arts, policy, business, and community intersect—because in this region, culture isn’t separate from systems. It’s shaped by them.
What We Do
We document the people and decisions driving cultural change:
Artists building new work and redefining creative identity
Institutions and universities influencing cultural direction
Local and state policy shaping access, funding, and development
Businesses and entrepreneurs contributing to the creative economy
Our coverage moves between street-level stories and structural analysis—tracking both what’s happening and why it matters.
Our Editorial Focus
Arts & Culture — exhibitions, performances, and working artists
Government & Policy — decisions impacting cultural infrastructure
Business & Entrepreneurship — especially Black-owned and culturally significant ventures
Community & History — the context behind Richmond’s evolving identity
Our Approach
We treat culture as something built—not just expressed.
That means:
Connecting creative work to economic and political conditions
Covering both momentum and friction—growth, displacement, access
Prioritizing substance over trend-chasing
Writing with clarity, context, and accountability
Why It Exists
Richmond is a city where culture is constantly being redefined—by artists, institutions, and policy decisions happening in real time.
The Cultural Current exists to document that process clearly and consistently.
Not just what’s happening—but:
Who is shaping it
Who benefits
And what it means for the future of the region
Who It’s For
Artists and cultural workers
Residents paying attention to how the city is changing
Institutions, organizers, and decision-makers
Readers who want context, not just coverage
Work With Us
We accept:
Story tips
Event submissions
Collaborations with artists, organizations, and institutions





