about blue cow arts

Founded in 2002, as an arm of Across-the-Way Productions, Blue Cow Arts is a public non-profit in support of increased social awareness through music, art and cultural education. In an increasingly and perilously homogenous culture, BCA supports diversity through event promotion, cultural exchange opportunities, and by hosting and providing a forum for musicians, artists, educators and advocates of sustainable living and cultural preservation.

Based in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Floyd, Virginia, BCA seeks to support innovative grassroots cultural efforts and movements, including the 4-day FloydFest, showcasing the wealth of local music, crafts and customs in the Floyd, Virginia area, alongside musicians, dancers and performance artists from all corners of the globe.

Goals and Objectives:

To work with the town of Floyd to create an environment hospitable and renowned for cultural promotion
To secure funds, provide a forum, and solicit a variety of cultural presentations in the area
To promote the existence of educational and recreational activities in accord with our mission
To encourage and sponsor cultural studies
To support the development of other cultural centers
To coordinate and cooperate with schools and volunteer groups in offering cultural education opportunities

Where does the money go?

Since its inception, Blue Cow Arts has donated a substantial amount of money to preserve art and musical heritage locally and globally, and towards the communities of Patrick and Floyd counties, as well as regional non-profits:

$30,000 in payments to the Wilkesboro county Boy Scouts
$50,000 to the umbrella organization Floyd County Cares, through parking donations made at the Chateau Morisette satellite parking area
$145,000 to infrastructure upgrades to the FloydFest festival site
$10,000 to support the Kusun Ensemble, a ten-piece traditional Ghanian African troupe
$25,000 to the African village of Binaba, through donations and payment to the African Showboyz
$6,000 to the Patrick County United Way
$8,000 to the Floyd County HS Band Boosters
$2,000 to the Floyd County soccer team
$12,000 to the Patrick County non-profit organization Safety Rope

Through FloydFest, Blue Cow Arts showcases music and cultures from many countries across the globe: Algeria, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Ghana, Jamaica, Mali, Scotland, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States