Editing Norfolk, Virginia (section)

==Arts and culture==
[[File:MacArthurStatue.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Douglas MacArthur]] Statue]]
Due to its urban density, Norfolk acts as the cultural hub of the Hampton Roads region. In addition to its museums, Norfolk is the principal home for several major performing arts organizations. The city hosts numerous annual festivals and parades, many in [[Town Point Park]] or elsewhere in downtown.

=== Museums and galleries ===
The nationally acclaimed [[Chrysler Museum of Art]], the area's most comprehensive art museum, has its campus at the intersection of the [[Ghent district]], the Freemason neighborhood, and the NEON district.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chrysler Museum of Art |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/chrysler-museum-of-art |website=Google Arts & Culture}}</ref> Since opening in 1933, the museum's main building has been expanded six times to allow for larger glass galleries, generous space for [[Impressionism|Impressionist]] and [[Baroque Art|Baroque]] works, and more. Major improvements were completed in 2014, and today the museum features more than 50 galleries, a restaurant, and catering facilities, as well as galleries for traveling exhibits.<ref name="Chrysler Museum Renovation">{{cite web |url=http://www.chrysler.org/about-the-museum/expansion-renovation/ |title=Chrysler Museum of Art Expansion and Renovation |access-date=January 2, 2013 |publisher=Chrysler Museum of Art |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115140445/http://www.chrysler.org/about-the-museum/expansion-renovation/ |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Chrysler Museum Road Show">{{cite web |url=http://www.chrysler.org/about-the-museum/the-chrysler-museum-roadshow/ |title=Chrysler Museum of Art Road Show |access-date=January 2, 2013 |publisher=Chrysler Museum of Art |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229135626/http://www.chrysler.org/about-the-museum/the-chrysler-museum-roadshow/ |archive-date=December 29, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Of particular note are the American [[Neoclassicism|neoclassical]] marble sculptures, the extensive glass collection, and the Glass Studio, which has live demonstrations daily.<ref name="Chrysler Museum Glass Studio">{{cite web |url=http://www.chrysler.org/about-the-museum/glass-studio/ |title=Chrysler Museum of Art Glass Studio |access-date=January 2, 2013 |publisher=Chrysler Museum of Art}}</ref>

The Chrysler Museum of Art also administers the 1792 Moses Myers House Museum in the Freemason District, next to MacArthur Mall. This museum interprets Norfolk's history and the lives and legacy of Norfolk's first Jewish family. Seventy percent of the objects in the home are original to the Myers in the early nineteenth century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Moses Myers House {{!}} Historic House, Jewish History |url=https://chrysler.org/historic-houses/the-moses-myers-house/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=Chrysler Museum of Art |language=en}}</ref> The museum offers weekend tours and special monthly programming. In October 2022, the council of City of Norfolk, which owns the property, voted to proceed with the possibility of selling it, conjecturing the entirety of the property—the main house, the attached dwelling of the Myers’ enslaved servants, and the historic garden—could be sold as part of a package to developers, perhaps to operate as a bed and breakfast.<ref>{{Citation |title=Work Session – Norfolk City Council; October 11, 2022 | date=October 11, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd5mP3RMd7Q |language=en |access-date=2023-01-20}}</ref> Multiple entities, including the Norfolk Historical Society, have expressed distress and outrage.

The [[Hermitage Foundation Museum (Norfolk, Virginia)|Hermitage Foundation Museum]], located in an early 20th-century [[Tudor Revival architecture|Tudor-style]] home on a {{cvt|12|acre|m2|adj=on}} estate fronting the [[Lafayette River]], is found in the Lochaven neighborhood near the northern terminus of the Elizabeth River Trail that connects many of the city's sites of cultural interest.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1_T41utdUns3tZkI6skGxqv4fC7f2J2o&ll=36.88326257257864%2C-76.25168776957379&z=12 | title=Elizabeth River Trail }}</ref> The Hermitage features an eclectic collection of Asian and Western art, including [[Chinese bronze]] and ceramics, [[Persian rugs]], and [[ivory carvings]], as well as changing exhibitions, arts classes, and special events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hermitagefoundation.org/index.asp |title=Hermitage Foundation Museum |publisher=Hermitagefoundation.org |access-date=May 14, 2012 |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004025238/http://www.hermitagefoundation.org/index.asp |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Hermitage Foundation Museum is the only [[Smithsonian Affiliate]] in the Hampton Roads region.<ref>{{cite web |title=Smithsonian Affiliations Reciprocal Membership Program |url=https://affiliations.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/reciprocal-membership-May-2022.pdf}}</ref>

Downtown Norfolk has several other museums of national significance.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
[[File:Nauticus, Norfolk.JPG|right|thumb|[[Nauticus]] (National Maritime Center)]]
[[Nauticus]], the National Maritime Center, opened on the downtown waterfront in 1994. It features hands-on exhibits, interactive theaters, [[Aquarium|aquaria]], digital high-definition films and an extensive variety of educational programs. Since 2000, Nauticus has been home to the battleship [[USS Wisconsin (BB-64)|USS ''Wisconsin'']], the last battleship to be built in the United States. It served briefly in [[World War II]] and later in the [[Korean War|Korean]] and [[Gulf War]]s.<ref name="Nauticus">{{cite web |url=http://www.nauticus.org/ |title=Nauticus |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Nauticus}}</ref> [[Wisconsin Square]] is nearby.

The [[Norfolk City Hall|MacArthur Memorial]], located in the nineteenth-century Norfolk courthouse and city hall in downtown, contains the tombs of General [[Douglas MacArthur]] and his wife, a museum and a vast research library, personal belongings (including his famous [[corncob pipe]]) and a short film that chronicles his life.<ref name="MacArthur Memorial">{{cite web |url=http://www.macarthurmemorial.org/ |title=MacArthur Memorial |access-date=October 9, 2007 |publisher=City of Norfolk}}</ref>

Speciality museums include the [[Hunter House Victorian Museum]] in the Freemason neighborhood and the [[Norfolk Southern Museum]] in downtown.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

=== Public art ===
The city is known for its "{{visible anchor|Mermaids on Parade}}," a public art program launched in 2002 to place mermaid statues all over the city. Tourists can take a walking tour of downtown and locate 17 mermaids while others can be found further afield.<ref name="Mermaids on Parade">{{cite web |url=http://www.mermaidsonparade.com/ |title=Mermaids on Parade |access-date=October 17, 2007 |publisher=City of Norfolk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011165617/http://mermaidsonparade.com/ |archive-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref>

The NEON district has dozens of murals, many of which are supported through the City of Norfolk's Public Arts Commission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Public Art Program |url=https://neonnfk.com/public-art-program/}}</ref>

=== Performing arts ===
[[File:Harrison operahouse.jpg|right|thumb|[[Harrison Opera House]]]]
Norfolk has a variety of performing groups with regular seasons and which also make appearances in the city's annual festivals. The [[Virginia Symphony Orchestra]], founded in 1920, has been leader in the regional arts scene. Directed by [[JoAnn Falletta]] from 1991 until 2020, the orchestra's music director is now [[Eric Jacobsen (conductor)|Erik Jacobsen]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Denise |last2=Martin |first2=Saleen |last3=Parker |first3=Stacey |title=From Chesapeake native's 'Tina,' to Missy and Pharrell: An arts and culture review of 2021 |date=December 26, 2021 |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/entertainment/arts/vp-db-arts-cultural-year-in-review-122621-20211226-hlo34panynhqfoxxzgdnzqlgqi-story.html |publisher=The Virginian Pilot}}</ref> Most Norfolk performances take place at [[Chrysler Hall]] in the [[Norfolk Scope|Scope]] complex downtown. The orchestra provides musicians for many other performing arts organizations in the area.<ref name="Virginia Symphony">{{cite web |url=http://www.virginiasymphony.org/ |title=Virginia Symphony |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Virginia Symphony |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611100831/http://www.virginiasymphony.org/ |archive-date=June 11, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Virginia Stage Company, founded in 1968, is one of the country's leading regional theaters and produces a full season of plays in the [[Wells Theatre]] downtown. The company shares facilities with the [[Governor's School for the Arts]].<ref name="Virginia Stage Company">{{cite web |url=http://www.vastage.com/ |title=Virginia Stage Company |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Virginia Stage Company}}</ref>'

The [[Virginia Opera]] was founded in Norfolk in 1974. Its artistic director since its inception has been Peter Mark,<ref>{{cite web |author=Virginia Opera at www.vaopera.org |url=http://www.vaopera.org/html/companyinfo/staff.cfm |title=Virginia Opera Website |publisher=Vaopera.org |access-date=May 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312192832/http://www.vaopera.org/html/companyinfo/staff.cfm |archive-date=March 12, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> who conducted his 100th opera production for the VOA in 2008. Though performances are staged statewide, the company's principal venue is the [[Harrison Opera House]] in the [[Ghent district]].<ref name="Virginia Opera">{{cite web |url=http://www.vaopera.org/ |title=Virginia Opera |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Virginia Opera}}</ref>

Large-scale concerts are held at either the [[Norfolk Scope]] arena or the [[Ted Constant Convocation Center]] at [[Old Dominion University|ODU]], while [[Norva Theatre|The Norva]] provides a more intimate atmosphere for smaller groups. Other Norfolk cultural venues include the [[Attucks Theatre]], the Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center (formerly the Loew's State Theater) and the Naro Expanded Cinema.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

=== Festivals ===
A range of arts and cultural festivals take place annually in Norfolk. The [[Virginia Arts Festival]], founded in 1997, is based in Norfolk and has events throughout the region, drawing in arts from around the world and featuring local talent. One of the key events of the festival is the [[Virginia International Tattoo]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.vafest.org/about-us/ |publisher=Virginia Arts Festival |access-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903202708/https://www.vafest.org/about-us/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia International Tattoo |url=https://www.visitnorfolk.com/virginia-international-tattoo/ |website=Visit Norfolk}}</ref> The Norfolk NATO Festival, formerly the International Azela Festival, has taken place each spring since 1951 and is the longest continually running festival in the Hampton Roads Region. The Norfolk NATO Festival highlights Norfolk's role as the North American Headquarters of [[NATO]] and fosters cultural exchange and appreciation of NATO allies.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Norfolk International Azalea Festival Honors NATO |url=http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/loc.afc.afc-legacies.200003601/ |website=Library of Congress|year=2000 }}</ref> The Stockley Gardens Art Festival, which takes place in parks the historic Ghent neighborhood, occurs twice yearly, in May and October. The festival draws vendors from well beyond the region and attracts upwards of 20,000 visitors.<ref>{{cite web |title=2022 Fall Stockley Gardens Arts Festival |date=July 13, 2022 |url=https://ghentnorfolk.org/2022-fall-stockley-gardens-arts-festival/}}</ref> The [[St. Patrick's Day]] annual parade in the city's [[Ocean View, Virginia|Ocean View]] neighborhood, on the northern edge of the city, celebrates Ocean View's rich Irish heritage.<ref name="Norfolk St. Patrick's Day Parade">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkparade.com/ |title=Norfolk St. Patrick's Day Parade |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Knights of Columbus, Father Robert Kealey Council #3548}}</ref>

Harborfest, the region's largest annual festival, celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2006. It is held during the first weekend of June in Town Point Park and celebrates the region's proximity and attachment to the water. The Parade of Sails (numerous tall sailing ships from around the world form in line and sail past downtown before docking at the marina), music concerts, regional food, and a large fireworks display highlight this three-day festival.<ref name="Festevents"/> Bayou Boogaloo and Cajun Food Festival, a celebration of the [[Cajun]] people and culture, had small beginnings. This three-day festival during the third week of June has become one of the largest in the region and, in addition to serving up [[Cajun cuisine]], also features [[Cajun music]].<ref name="Festevents"/> Norfolk's [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]] celebration of American independence contains a spectacular fireworks display and a special Navy reenlistment ceremony.<ref name="Festevents"/> The [[Norfolk Jazz Festival]], though smaller by comparison to some of the big city jazz festivals, still manages to attract the country's top jazz performers. It is held in August.<ref name="Festevents"/> The Town Point Virginia Wine Festival has become a showcase for Virginia-produced wines and has enjoyed increasing success over the years. Virginia's burgeoning wine industry has become noted both within the United States and on an international level. The festival has grown with the industry. Wines can be sampled and then purchased by the bottle and/or case directly from the winery kiosks. This event takes place during the third weekend of October. There is also a Spring Wine Festival held during the second weekend of May.<ref name="Festevents">{{cite web |url=http://www.festeventsva.org/events.php |title=Festevents |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=City of Norfolk Festevents |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704001859/http://www.festeventsva.org/events.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=July 4, 2007}}</ref>

=== Role in revitalization ===
The revitalization of downtown Norfolk has helped to improve the Hampton Roads cultural scene. Many of Norfolk's attractions are now connected by the {{convert|10.5|mi|adj=on}} long Elizabeth River Trail, a pedestrian and bike trail that winds along the city's waterfront. The trail's first segment of opened in 2003 on land donated by Norfolk Southern.<ref>{{cite web |title=A collaborative community and a love of history brought the Elizabeth River Trail to life |url=https://elizabethrivertrail.org/history |publisher=Elizabeth River Trail |access-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903113048/https://elizabethrivertrail.org/history |url-status=dead }}</ref> A large number of clubs, representing a wide range of music interests and sophistication now line the lower Granby Street area.<ref name="Nightlife and Entertainment in Downtown Norfolk">{{cite web |url=http://www.downtownnorfolk.org/enjoy/events/nightlife |title=Nightlife and Entertainment in Downtown Norfolk |access-date=February 6, 2010 |publisher=Downtown Norfolk Council}}</ref> The nearby [[Waterside Festival Marketplace]] has also continued to be successful as a nightclub and bar venue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Nightlife in Norfolk {{!}} Frommer's |url=https://www.frommers.com/destinations/norfolk/nightlife/overview |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=www.frommers.com}}</ref>