The Virginia Cultural Development Study Commission was created by Senate Joint Resolution No. 67 of the 1966 General Assembly of Virginia, in recognition of the need for a comprehensive survey of Virginia's present cultural and artistic assets with the view of recommending methods of furthering native artistic activity. The Commission was directed to "give special emphasis to indigenous activity" ........ "to broaden opportunities for the development of the artistic and cultural talents of the citizens of Virginia."

Appointments to the Commission were announced by Governor Godwin on June I, 1966. George M. Cochran, member of the Senate of Virginia, Staunton, was named Chairman. At its organizational meeting held June 27, 1966, Glenn Yates, Jr., member of the House of Delegates, Portsmouth, was elected Vice-Chairman. With two exceptions, previously noted, the membership has remained constant since the Commission began its study in the latter half of 1966.

To coordinate the work of the Commission and expedite its operations, George D. Morton, Jr., of Staunton, was appointed Executive Director on December 1, 1966.

The total budget of the Commission was $20,000, including a $10,000 appropriation from the General Assembly and $10,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. These funds were expended as follows:

Executive Director's salary and expenses: $9,000
Design and Printing of the report: $6,000
Travel and Operational expenses: $5,000
Total: $20,000

To carry out its legislative mandate, the Commission embarked on a series of public hearings in all regions of the Commonwealth. The Executive Director was instructed to contact cultural and artistic leaders and to investigate, personally, many and varied activities in order that the Commission might receive the broadest knowledge possible of the cultural and artistic activity indigenous to each region. The Commission contacted by mail 1,274 individuals or organizations, inviting them to participate in the public hearings. One hundred eighty-seven persons, representing a broad spectrum of cultural activity from local government and industry to the fine arts, appeared at these hearings.

Hearings were held at the following places and times:

Richmond, November 16, 1966, State Capitol
Norfolk, January 9, 1967, City Council Chamber
Lynchburg, February 16, 1967, Lynchburg Fine Arts Center
Danville, February 17, 1967, City Council Chamber
Roanoke, March 31, 1967, Kazim Shrine Temple
Charlottesville, April 21, 1967, University of Virginia
Harrisonburg, April 21, 1967, Anthony-Seeger Campus, School Auditorium, Madison College
Winchester, May 18, 1967, Shenandoah College and Conservatory
Alexandria, May 19, 1967, City Council Chamber
Abingdon, June 9, 1967, Barter Theatre
Richmond, June 16, 1967, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

The Commission wishes to express its appreciation to those who spent untold hours preparing for and participating in these hearings.

In addition to these hearings, the Commission submitted a series of questionnaires and letters to the following:

135 craftsmen and craft organizations; 42 local historical societies; 25 folklorists; 15 writers, and the public relations departments of all but two of the State's colleges and universities. The President of each college or university was asked for his views. The Commission assisted in, or made use of, four other surveys: A survey of string music in the public schools of Virginia; a survey of music opportunities offered by the Old Dominion Symphony Council; a survey of theaters conducted by the Little Theater of Norfolk, and by the Federated Arts, Inc.; a survey of arts organizations conducted in Richmond during 1966.