Who are we?

Makers for Makers RVA is a community organizer for events curated by makers for makers. Our mission extends through five foundational values designed to protect and uplift Richmond creatives.

The Five Foundational Pillars of Makers of Makers RVA

• Inclusive Community:

  • At our center sits the most important pillar of all! Building and nourishing an inclusive community through connection and artistic expression.

• Diversity:

  • We champion a marketplace that actively reflects and celebrates the multifaceted voices of our city.

• Equity:

  • We provide a dynamic space where artists profit fully from their hard work without the burden of exploitation or inflated fees. When resources permit, we reinvest in our community by sponsoring table fees for artists and organizations dedicated to bridging societal gaps.

• Collaboration:

  • We believe that art and community both thrive in a collective. We create a supportive ecosystem where resources and ideas are shared. We always aim for a collaborative approach that strengthens our bonds with the community and those around us.

• Joy & Connection:

  • We cherish and cultivate an atmosphere of love and optimism, ensuring every interaction is rooted in the joy of being together and creating.

Goals and Aspirations

Short-Term:

Our immediate priorities are to lower the barrier to entry for new and inexperienced creators and to build a community. We aim to provide sponsored Vendor Fees for a few tables at every event, primarily reserved for current art students and artists facing financial hardship. By removing the upfront cost, we ensure that one’s talent dictates their opportunity, not capital.

Long-Term:

Our vision is to curate events in a space that promotes healthy, safe community growth and connection. Community is not a product to be sold or profited from, it is an environment of mutual support, uplifting and collaboration. We strive to create and nurture spaces that contribute to that goal in such a way that we transition from being “something to do in Richmond, VA” to being a “resource and place to be in Richmond, VA”.