William King Museum
William King Museum of Art received a $5,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program for its marketing of exhibitions and fundraisers. William King Museum of Art partnered with other local businesses to supply matching funds for the project of marketing of the museum’s exhibition programs as well as its annual fundraiser, Mistletoe Market.
Virginia Tourism Corporation awarded more than $757,000 to 131 marketing programs, ultimately impacting 655 combined partners and supporting more than 1,300 jobs across the state to help increase off-season visitation to tourism businesses and destinations.
“We are excited that Willliam King Museum of Art has been awarded a Virginia Tourism Corporation Micobusiness Marketing Leverage Program grant. William King Museum of Art is a vital part of Abingdon’s dynamic arts and cultural community that significantly impacts visitor experiences and quality of life for local and regional residents through exhibitions, arts education, workshops and events. We are grateful to the Virginia Tourism Corporation for supporting our tourism partners by offering this opportunity.” said Tonya Triplett, director of economic development and tourism for the town of Abingdon.
“The Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program is part of VTC’s strategy to grow year-round visitation in Virginia and is designed to support small tourism businesses with marketing dollars to drive out-of-state visitation during off-peak travel seasons. We are excited about this program because we see it as a gateway for small businesses to engage with VTC’s marketing and development ecosystem to grow their business and build on the Virginia is for Lovers branding,” said Rita McClenny, president and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
The VTC Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program is designed to increase visitor spending in the off-season by leveraging limited marketing dollars, stimulating new tourism marketing through partnerships, and extending the “Virginia is for Lovers” brand. This is a program focused on supporting tourism businesses with less than 20 full-time employees through marketing partnerships. A minimum of five Virginia entities must partner to apply for the microbusiness marketing grant. Partners may consist of Virginia cities, towns, counties, convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers of commerce, other local or regional destination marketing organizations, private businesses, museums, attractions, cultural events and other tourism-related businesses.
William King Museum of Art is an ever-changing gallery and gathering space in the vibrant arts and cultural community of Abingdon, Virginia. Exhibitions range from contemporary art made right here in the Appalachian region to fine art from all around the world. WKMA’s mission is to provide arts education, exhibit fine art and preserve the Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee region’s cultural heritage. The museum’s Art Lab learning hub includes a Digital Lab, where anyone in Southwest Virginia can access, learn and use digital tools for art, design and life.
WKMA was a recepient of The Spirit of Virginia Award in 2022. This award recognizes unique qualities and standout achievements across the Commonwealth and salutes Virginians for their uncommon contributions in private industries, education, culture, the arts and philanthropy. “William King Museum of Art serves as a shining example of the positive intersection of art, history, culture, education, rehabilitation, workforce readiness and community engagement,” said the First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin. “I am so proud of the women who shepherd this organization and brighten the lives of Virginians living in Southwest Virginia and beyond.”
William King Museum of Art is open seven days a week: Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Admission to the museum is free. For information on exhibitions or events at William King Museum of Art visit williamkingmuseum.org or call 276-628-5005. Register for classes and events on WKMA’s website.
William King Museum of Art is located at 415 Academy Drive, off West Main Street or Russell Road, in Abingdon. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, William King Museum of Art is a partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a member of the Virginia Association of Museums, and is funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
