Department of Parks and Recreation
Cultural Heritage
The Department's Office of Heritage Arts seeks to enrich the lives of all Arlington residents by providing cultural programming that increases awareness of Arlington's diversity and acquaints residents with the art, folklore, music, dance, food and stories of their neighbors. The office relies heavily on partnerships to accomplish its goals. Beyond the other units of the Cultural Affairs Division, staff works in collaboration with other departmental units as well as the Departments of Human Services, Police, Libraries and the Arlington Public Schools. Staff also works in concert with a number of non-government community organizations.
The Office coordinates the following programming:
Public Events:
Events and performances, including festivals scheduled from April through November, are proposed by committees representing the County's various cultural communities. These include such events as the "Feel the Heritage" festival celebrating African American History Month; the Peru, Bolivia and El Salvador outdoor festivals, the annual Bangladeshi "Mele"; Vietnamese and Cambodian New Year celebrations and Argentina Folk and Tango Festival. Each event presents music, food and art traditions. The celebrations are conceived by the communities they represent but are presented with the support of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources and open to the general public.
Educational Programs:
Exhibitions and artist residencies that feature traditional as well as non-traditional arts and artists of diverse backgrounds are scheduled throughout the year. Each has a specific theme that is culturally relevant. Programs may recognize "heritage" months or similar notable occasions, or may involve an in-depth project that highlights a specific cultural tradition. Their principle purpose is to educate and inform citizens regarding the diversity of cultural communities present within the County. Programs have included residencies by visiting teachers from Mexico and by a master folk potter from Peru, as well as an exhibition of Mexican folk art at the Arlington County Central Library.
Heritage Research:
Staff works year-round to research, document, promote and nurture folk traditions in Arlington. With the assistance of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the office has undertaken grassroots community research in order to identify and assist previously unrecognized arts and artists. The type of assistance given to individuals and groups varies according to need, preference and available resources and does not necessarily involve finance. Since the inception of this program, the office has been involved with a traditional weaver who has begun teach her art to other immigrant women, a martial arts master, a master fiddler, a doll maker, several dance groups and a number of traditional cooks.
For more information please contact Chris Williams (703-228-1899) in the Cultural Heritage Programs Unit.
