ARTS & CULTURE BY THE NUMBERS

OBJECTIVE: To amplify what unites us as Virginians through expanded arts & culture offerings

196 podcasters in attendance at the first-ever Resonate Podcast Festival

Forty Years of Style Weekly... And Counting

For four decades, Style Weekly has been known as Central Virginia’s alternative voice for news, culture, arts and creative thought. But the popular publication almost didn’t make it to 40.

Following the weekly’s sale to a hedge fund in 2021, VPM Media Corporation, VPM’s parent company, acquired and saved this local gem. Fans of Style Weekly can now find its arts and culture coverage, awardwinning photojournalism and community calendar online at styleweekly.com and on social media. Plus, after the popular release of a special 40th anniversary print edition, Style Weekly announced plans for a new website, email newsletters, and yes, even an occasional special print edition.

“From the beginning, Style’s support of the arts community and its coverage of performances and events has been invaluable. I’m very glad that you all are keeping it going. What you’re doing has been a gift to the arts community and we thank you.”

– Stoner Winslett, Artistic Director, Richmond Ballet

Arts & Culture In Your Ears

VPM is invested in developing podcasts in the arts and culture space. Our growing catalog includes works such as “Seizing Freedom,” an acclaimed historical audiodrama, and “Admissible: Shreds of Evidence,” which investigates the work of a controversial figure in forensic science.

We’re also making space for the next generation of audio professionals. The VPM + ICA Community Media Center opened in 2020 as a state-of-the-art learning and production center inside Virginia Commonwealth University’s Institute for Contemporary Art. It is open to the public and serves as a place for current and aspiring podcasters and storytellers to meet and exchange ideas.

“Life In The Heart Land” is an incredible storytelling and teaching tool ... We are so proud of the role that [Virginia’s Electric] Cooperatives play in bringing high speed fiber broadband to Virginia’s rural communities, and we thank VPM for bringing our story to the forefront.

Local Storytelling With Impact

Across Virginia, VPM spoke with residents of rural communities to understand their unique realities and issues.

These conversations led to “Life in the Heart Land,” a docuseries that introduces us to the neighbors, communities and organizations that are creating solutions to rural America’s toughest challenges. Episode topics include food access and equity, a lack of broadband access, immigration, jail overcrowding and more.

After the broadcast, these transformative discussions continued during screening events held in communities featured in the series.