Our History
In 2003, a group of artists and gallery owners on Chincoteague Island organized the 2nd Saturday Art Stroll, a monthly open house at participating Island galleries and shops featuring art and crafts demonstrations, music, book signings, readings and tastings. That September, the 2nd Saturday Art Stroll put on a weekend Plein Air Art event, which included an exhibition and sale, which is still a favorite event for artists and collectors of art.
With ideas for more arts activities, the organizers of the 2nd Saturday Art Stroll incorporated as a non-profit organization called the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, Inc. In 2005, CCA applied for and received tax-exempt status from the IRS.
Ideas for programs and volunteers to lead programming activities were generated during an open monthly meeting. Over the next six years, program offerings grew to include festivals (Mother Earth Day, Water Heritage Festival, Native American Festival), concerts (fall and spring Acoustic Music Series, biannual chamber music concerts, Music at the Dock concerts in the park), films (Robert Wise Film Festival, Summer Cinema Series), and a photo contest.
CCA began renting space in the evenings at what was then the Senior Center, formerly a classroom and cafeteria for the old elementary school. When budget cuts caused the Senior Center to close and the space became available, we rented it full-time. Programming grew to include adult classes in art, music, food and crafts; free children's art classes; a monthly Coffeehouse; the Chincoteague Storytelling Guild's monthly Story Swaps; and the Chincoteague Island Theater Company's productions. The grounds around the building became home to the Chincoteague Island Farmers and Artisans Market and the 2nd Saturday Artful Flea.
With support from many generous contributors, CCA made the down payment to purchase the building in December 2015. With continued community support, along with grants from the Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation and the Cabell Foundation, we accomplished extensive renovations over the next two years. In 2020, thanks again to many donors, we were able to match a very generous challenge grant from David Landsberger and pay off the mortgage. That achievement ensures that CCA's Community Center for the Arts will continue to bring a wide array of arts to the Island for years to come.
With ideas for more arts activities, the organizers of the 2nd Saturday Art Stroll incorporated as a non-profit organization called the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, Inc. In 2005, CCA applied for and received tax-exempt status from the IRS.
Ideas for programs and volunteers to lead programming activities were generated during an open monthly meeting. Over the next six years, program offerings grew to include festivals (Mother Earth Day, Water Heritage Festival, Native American Festival), concerts (fall and spring Acoustic Music Series, biannual chamber music concerts, Music at the Dock concerts in the park), films (Robert Wise Film Festival, Summer Cinema Series), and a photo contest.
CCA began renting space in the evenings at what was then the Senior Center, formerly a classroom and cafeteria for the old elementary school. When budget cuts caused the Senior Center to close and the space became available, we rented it full-time. Programming grew to include adult classes in art, music, food and crafts; free children's art classes; a monthly Coffeehouse; the Chincoteague Storytelling Guild's monthly Story Swaps; and the Chincoteague Island Theater Company's productions. The grounds around the building became home to the Chincoteague Island Farmers and Artisans Market and the 2nd Saturday Artful Flea.
With support from many generous contributors, CCA made the down payment to purchase the building in December 2015. With continued community support, along with grants from the Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation and the Cabell Foundation, we accomplished extensive renovations over the next two years. In 2020, thanks again to many donors, we were able to match a very generous challenge grant from David Landsberger and pay off the mortgage. That achievement ensures that CCA's Community Center for the Arts will continue to bring a wide array of arts to the Island for years to come.
