Virginia Arts Festival

Robert W. Cross founded the Virginia Arts Festival in 1997 and has served as its only executive
and artistic director. During his tenure, the festival has blossomed into one of the major Arts
events on the East Coast, transforming the cultural life of Virginia’s Hampton Roads region and
making the area a cultural destination for travelers from around the world. The combination of
stellar performances and easy access to some of America's finest historical sites and beaches has proved irresistible.