Wise, VA–Pro-Art is celebrating a milestone: 50 years of bringing high-quality arts experiences to the communities of Southwest Virginia. To mark its golden anniversary, Pro-Art is making an unprecedented commitment to accessibility—every performance in its 50th season will be free to the public.
Pro-Art’s 2026–2027 season brings together an extraordinary range of music, theater, danceand cultural programming. From internationally recognized artists and acclaimed theater companies to Appalachian musicians and beloved regional traditions, Pro-Art’s 50th season reflects the nonprofit organization’s mission to make the arts broadly accessible to the communities it serves.
“Fifty years is an incredible milestone for an arts organization, and we want to celebrate it by putting our mission into action,” said Pro-Art Executive Director Michael McNulty. “Pro-Art has always believed that art is for everyone. This season, everyone can experience these performances without worrying about the price of admission. We hope longtime supporters will celebrate with us and that people who have never attended a Pro-Art performance will feel especially welcome to join us.”
Among the season highlights are the internationally acclaimed Mystical Arts of Tibet, who will create a mandala sand painting, lecture on the history of the Tibetan diaspora, and give a performance of sacred music and chants; Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience; Carson Peters and Iron Mountain with their high-energy Appalachian bluegrass; Bristol Ballet’s holiday favorite “The Nutcracker,” and award-winning Aquila Theatre’s “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” The season also includes performances by Symphony of the Mountains, Andalusian sextet La Banda Morisca, the U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus, jazz vocalist Tyreek McDole, and many more.
“Fifty years ago, Pro-Art began with a belief in the power of the arts to bring people together,” McNulty continued. “That belief remains at the center of everything we do. We invite the entire region to help us celebrate 50 years of art, communityand shared experiences—and to discover what the next 50 years can bring.”
The season also continues Pro-Art's commitment to bringing the arts to younger audiences. In addition to its public performance series, Pro-Art provides arts programming in regional schools and operates initiatives such as Pro-Art Studio and Camp Create, extending opportunities for community members to participate in the arts as well as experience them as audience members. Pro-Art served more than 9,700 children across Wise, Leeand Dickenson County schools and the City of Norton during the previous season.
Pro-Art’s 50th season runs through summer 2027, with performances taking place in community spaces and venues across Wise, Leeand Dickenson Counties and the City of Norton. No admission fee is required for any Pro-Art performance this season. Audience members can view the complete event schedule, performance details, locationsand reservation information atproartva.org.Follow the nonprofit on social media @proartva.
Pro-Art partners with a variety of venues, for accessibility inquiries or general questions, call (276) 376-4520 or emailcontact@proartva.org. For weather related updates, patrons are encouraged to checkproartva.orgfor real-time information.
Pro-Art is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly. Pro-Art is additionally supported in part by the C. Bascom Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Smith Vicars Family Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
