RPAA is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide diverse local and world-class performing arts, transformative arts education experiences for students of all ages, and inspirational venues — all to strengthen the cultural and economic vitality of the Greater Richmond region.

Since RPAA's start (formerly Richmond CenterStage) in 2009, we have served RPS through arts education programming. Our 'flagship' program with RPS is Greater Richmond Wolf Trap. Through this partnership, we offer arts integration residencies for Pre-K and KG teachers where they receive professional development on how to utilize arts strategies to teach literacy, math and social skills in the early childhood classroom. This program began with the title "ELLA- Early Literacy Learning through the Arts" and in 2018, we officially became the 19th affiliate of Wolf Trap.  This launch celebration was held at MLK Jr. Preschool center with Jason Kamras, James Lane, First Lady Northam, and Dr. Massenburg-Johnson (aka Doc MJ) as keynote speakers. In addition to this incredible program, we also serve middle school students through programming with Next Up. We have worked with students at Binford, Henderson, Brown, ElkhartThompson, and Boushall Middle Schools. RPAA's offices are located at Dominion Energy Center and a part of that space is the Brightlights Education Center and a Digital Arts Lab. Through the Digital Arts Lab, we offer semester video production classes to HS students. These classes are offered free to students in public and charter schools in the Greater Richmond area.  Students learn the history of cinema, how to develop their own viewpoint through video, how to edit using state of the art equipment/software, and learn about careers in video production.  In addition, they have the opportunity to meet videographers and cinematographers in the industry.  We also offer free performing arts workshops for students ages 3-18 through the Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series. This series or workshop events offers families an opportunity to learn about every aspect of the performing arts with topics such as:  Dance, Theatre Arts, Media, Technical Theatre, and Music.  Finally, we work with the Fine Arts Specialist for RPS on a regular basis to find ways to support her programs in RPS through our official partnership: Kennedy Center Partners in Education. Some of the ways we do this are: Live-stream chat-backs with cast members of touring "Broadway in Richmond" productions, offering our space for professional development days, offering PD to fine arts educators, supporting student programs such as Bardathon, Poetry Out Loud, All-City Chorus, All-City Jazz, and giving tours of the theaters to teachers and students. We love the work we do with RPS students, teachers, and staff and hope to continue for many. years to come.

Greater Richmond Wolf Trap embraces active learning with children and educators through high-quality professional development. We start by training professional performing artists in early childhood development and curriculum. Our Teaching Artists then work with teachers in their classrooms—sharing arts integration strategies, developing lesson plans, and interacting with children.