Bill > HJR71

This resolution commends the Richlands Area Citizens for the Arts (RACA), an organization that for 44 years enriched the cultural life of Southwest Virginia through arts education and programming in Richlands and Tazewell County. Originally known as Community Artist Residency Training (CART) and founded in 1981 to bring artists and musicians to the region, RACA, despite adopting its current name, remained widely recognized as CART. Throughout its history, CART hosted diverse events, including performances by notable artists like Chet Atkins and Burl Ives, theatrical productions, and exhibitions, while also providing vital arts-in-education programs in local schools. The resolution acknowledges the organization's reliance on grants and community support and highlights the impactful work of its staff and volunteers in fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts among young people and the broader community, with its final season in 2025 featuring a documentary and a puppet show. The General Assembly expresses its admiration for RACA's achievements and directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to its executive director, Ginger Branton, and president, Elaine Holmes.

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HJ71