When RVA launched in April 2005 Richmond’s cultural scene was a blank canvas waiting for direction, documentation and new vision. To our excitement, many groups (Gallery 5, Curated Culture, Venture Richmond, Books On Wheels, etc.), businesses (Kulture, Sticky Rice, Rumors, Chop Suey, The Camel, New York Deli, Ellwood Thompson, etc.) and promoters (PLF, Best Friend’s Day, Community Chest, Brain Drain, etc.) heard the call and helped create a homegrown culture to be proud of. Almost five years later the city is entering a new phase of cultural growth, and with respect for the changes in media consumption and technological advancements in communication, we’ve decided to make some big changes too.
When RVA launched in April 2005 Richmond’s cultural scene was a blank canvas waiting for direction, documentation and new vision. To our excitement, many groups (Gallery 5, Curated Culture, Venture Richmond, Books On Wheels, etc.), businesses (Kulture, Sticky Rice, Rumors, Chop Suey, The Camel, New York Deli, Ellwood Thompson, etc.) and promoters (PLF, Best Friend’s Day, Community Chest, Brain Drain, etc.) heard the call and helped create a homegrown culture to be proud of. Almost five years later the city is entering a new phase of cultural growth, and with respect for the changes in media consumption and technological advancements in communication, we’ve decided to make some big changes too.
In April 2009, we relaunched RVAMAG.com to match the online habits of our readership (and the world at large), and to keep pace with digital media. Since then our web traffic has improved dramatically and is increasing daily. The roles of the printed magazine and website have been blurred with this success, leading us to examine our award-winning print publication for improvements as well.
In 2010, RVA magazine will be published as a full-size (10″ x 13″) glossy quarterly, with the first issue being in April. The larger format will allow editorial to expand towards more in-depth articles on Richmond’s musicians, characters, artists, events and issues, and will be a better platform for our original intent of highlighting Richmond’s visual and performance art culture. The quarterly distribution will allow us to craft lovingly made showpieces – books that will be kept forever and displayed in readers’ homes as proudly as the art on their walls. This keepsake media will remain free and allow us to do more in other media platforms.
With the rise of Youtube, Hulu, Vimeo and other video-centric sites, we’ve recognized this format as an important component of the growth puzzle. We have reinvested our attention in RVA TV, our online video media resource. We’ve added essential staff to oversee quality control and are in the process of developing original programming across music, lifestyle and art channels. Expect quality, informative and entertaining content through RVA TV starting… now.
We’ve never been more excited or prepared to take on documenting what our readers have built into our favorite place in the world. Richmond and RVA are on the rise and we want to thank you for your support. Stay tuned.
– RVA
