SARA Network Seeks Virginia Regional Captains
We are excited to share that Year Two of SARA will launch this fall in VCA Regions 1 and 3! SARA (Small Town and Rural Arts) is a new initiative serving the unique needs of Virginia’s rural and micropolitan areas, connecting arts organizations and artists for the purpose of peer exchange, information sharing, and best practices toolkit. The VCA provided a special grant to Small Town/Big Arts, who already had a remarkable footprint with small and rural nonprofits, to pilot a program in Region 6 during the second half of FY26.
https://www.smalltownbigarts.com/about-sara
Building on the successes and lessons learned from the pilot, Geoff Kershner with Small Town/Big Arts is expanding the format. While SARA will concentrate efforts to serve small and rural arts organizations and artists in Regions 1 and 3 in FY27, Geoff is also incorporating a statewide component -- a Region Captain structure – which will help him find, welcome, and support the small and rural arts organizations in each of the VCA’s 8 regions. SARA is asking for help with identifying prospects from each of the eight VCA regions. They don't have to be affiliated with an arts org; they could be a civic leader, someone involved in tourism, or a foundation leader. As part of the SARA special VCA grant, he will be providing a $1,000 stipend for a two-year commitment.
In Geoff’s words, the role isn't a formal leadership title so much as a particular kind of person, what Malcolm Gladwell calls a "connector." Someone whose relationships span an unusually wide and diverse set of circles, and who genuinely enjoys linking people together. In practice, that means someone who knows the region's arts organization leaders, but also the librarian, the extension agent, the farmers market folks, a local business owner or two, maybe an elected official, and who moves between those worlds easily because they're curious about all of them.
Below is a descriptor of what he is looking for. I have asked the staff to also noodle. If anyone comes to mind, please email @gkershner@smalltownbigarts.com
SARA Region Captain — What We're Looking For
We're looking for a "connector": someone deeply rooted in their community with relationships that cross multiple circles — arts and culture, but also local government, education, business, and civic life.
· Knows the region's arts organization(s) well, but also knows the librarian, the extension agent, local business owners, and civic leaders
· Is trusted across multiple community circles, not just one
· Naturally connects people to each other and to opportunities, often without being asked
· Brings more curiosity than ego; a good listener, not necessarily the most visible person in the room
Does this need to be someone currently working at an arts organization? No — board members, volunteers, retired arts staff, or well-connected community members all qualify. What matters is a genuine tie to the local arts organization and trust across the wider community, not a current job title.