The Center for Liberal Arts and AI will open at UR in fall 2025. | Photo by RICtoday
Several Richmond organizations will receive funding from a series of grants awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities in August. The federal program will distribute $37.5 million to 240 projects nationwide, including five in the River City.
The funded projects come from the Library of Virginia, University of Richmond, Valentine Museum, and Virginia Museum of History & Culture.
Learn more about what to expect from each project below.
A new research center all about AI
The University of Richmond will welcome researchers, students, and educators to the Center for Liberal Arts and AI in fall 2025. Led by professor of digital humanities Lauren Tilton, CLAAI will focus on the social, cultural, and legal questions surrounding artificial intelligence.
UR was awarded over $700,000 for CLAAI, which will host eight faculty fellows per year in partnership with the Associated Colleges of the South.
Pro tip: It’s going to be pronounced like “clay.”
An exploration of Jackson Ward history
The Library of Virginia received $282,975 to implement a new exhibition on the history of Jackson Ward. It will partner with The JXN Project to put on “House to Highway: Reclaiming the Hidden History of Jackson Ward.”
The exhibit will delve into more than 250 years of neighborhood history with maps, photographs, and other materials from LVA’s archives. It will highlight the story of the Skipwith-Roper family, whose home — built by Abraham Peyton Skipwith in the 18th century — is on the oldest documented in Richmond.
Contemporary researchers discovered that the Skipwith-Roper cottage, thought to be destroyed as part of the construction of I-95, was actually relocated. The JXN Project is working on a reconstruction site for the cottage, expected to open in April 2026.
“House to Highway” will open at LVA in 2025 and stay there for 10 months. The exhibit will then move to the cottage reconstruction site as a long-term exhibition.
Read about three more funded projects at the button below.
Movie Night with Chesterfield Animal Services | Friday, Sept. 13 | 6-9:30 p.m. | Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, Chesterfield | Free | Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy “The Garfield Movie” on the big screen.
Ballyhoo! and Mad Caddies | Friday, Sept. 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Canal Club | $25+ | Jam out at this night of beach rock and ska with special guests Quasi Kings.
Saturday, Sept. 14
Bark in the Park | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Deep Run Park | Free entry | Register to join the dog walk or head to the pup-friendly party with vendors, dog contests, face painting, and food trucks.
43rd Street Festival of the Arts | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | West 43rd Street and Forest Hill Avenue | Free entry | 75 pieces by artisans from around the region will be included in a raffle to support CARITAS.
Richmond Makers Market | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 12-6 p.m. | The Cultural Arts Center, Glen Allen | Free entry | Shop unique handmade goods from local artists and makers.
Church Hill Gospel Fest | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 5-8 p.m. | Bon Secours Church Hill Gospel Hill | Free | Bring a lawn chair to take in some soul-stirring gospel music from local performers.
Sunday, Sept. 15
Sunday Bagel Pop-Up | Sunday, Sept. 15 | 10 a.m. | Odd Bird | Cost of purchase | Try out this bagel pop-up and enjoy a cup of coffee outside the shop.
First Features: “Griffin in Summer” | Sunday, Sept. 15 | 2-5 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU | Free | See director Nicholas Colia’s first feature-length work and stay after for a conversation with VCU Cinema Professor Danny Caporaletti.
Susan Greenbaum – “Tapestry” | Sunday, Sept. 15 | 7-9 p.m. | The Tin Pan, Glen Allen | $30 | It’s not too late to get tickets to see this local artist perform Carole King’s legendary album.
Local chef Antonio Owen will open Sweet P’s on Tuesday, Sept. 17. The new Jackson Ward restaurant is located in the former Club House Lounge on Broad. Make a reservation for opening night.
Traffic
Around $200,000 has been generated since the city began installing speed cameras near school zones. The average number of citations per day has reportedly gone down since the first round of cameras were installed in March. Nine cameras are still in the 30-day grace period, issuing warnings only. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Number
$3.7 billion. That’s how much visitors to the Richmond Region spent in our area in 2023, up 7.4% from 2022. According to Richmond Region Tourism, the growing industry of sports tourism accounted for 73% of group bookings.
Community
The city’s Neighborhood Clean-Up program will cover Westover Hills, Forest Hill, and Woodland Heights tomorrow, Sept. 14. Residents can leave items including furniture, mattresses, and appliances for disposal. Pick-up will go from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Health
The new pediatric cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology lab at VCU Health is up and running at the Children’s Tower. The lab allows doctors to provide specialized interventions to treat children with heart disease. It’s the first of its kind in the region. (VPM)
Biz
Three former employees are now the owners of local delivery service Quickness RVA. Previous owner Frank Bucalo founded the company in 2010 but moved back to New York in 2016. Read on to see how new leaders Alex Bangs, Aubrey Reisner, and Chris Johnson want to grow the business. (Richmond BizSense)
Theater
Calling all dancing queens. Broadway in Richmond is bringing “Mamma Mia” to the River City for four shows in December. Individual tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m.
Balance transfer cards: One of the best-kept secrets for managing credit card debt. This card gives you almost two years to pay off your existing balance, sans interest — plus, that sweet, sweet cash back.*
Shop
Level up your fall wardrobe with this stylish and versatile men’s quarter zip sweater. Its sophisticated mock neck design makes it perfect for both casual and formal wear.*
Eat, drink, and dance at Maymont’s Bier-Garden festival. | Photo by Aarron Saldivar
Raise a glass and welcome autumn at these Oktoberfest events happening around Richmond this weekend and next.
25th Anniversary Celebration | Friday, Sept. 13-Sunday, Sept. 15 | Times vary | Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop | Free entry | Help Starr Hill celebrate a quarter century in business at this three-day Oktoberfest event with featured beers, live music, and food trucks.
Oktoberfest at Benchtop | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 12-10 p.m. | Benchtop Brewing | Free entry | BYO stein to fill with Festbier and enjoy a book fair, beer poking, a German-inspired menu, and new cocktails.
St. Benedict Oktoberfest | Friday, Sept. 20-Sunday, Sept. 22 | Times vary | St. Benedict Catholic Church | Free entry | Enjoy music, dancing, German cuisine, and brews at this favorite Richmond festival.
Bier-Garden | Saturday, Sept. 21-Sunday, Sept. 22 | Times vary | Maymont | $0-$10 | Raise a glass at this two-day festival on the Carriage House Lawn.
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