Richmond’s mayoral candidates brought their perspective to the city’s artistic community Tuesday evening during an Arts & Culture Mayoral Forum organized by CultureWorks and All City Art Club.

Moderated by Chioke I’Anson, director of community media at the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University, the forum saw Andreas Addison, Dr. Danny Avula, Michelle Mosby, Maurice Neblett and Harrison Roday take the stage of the Virginia Repertory Theatre.

There, they pitched themselves as a mayor who would better support the arts and responded to questions from I’Anson and the around 100 people in attendance. Topics ranged from government support for the arts to their vision for the Arts District, health care for creatives and the value of art in Richmond’s future and growth.

The forum came amid changes and ongoing concerns around the future of the arts in the city. This includes the future of the Virginia Rep, which recently succeeded in fundraising $600,000 in donations to avoid a shutdown due to a $1.7 million deficit.

Despite this success, the forum made clear that other problems exist. The importance of and need for housing was a frequent topic throughout the forum, alongside city government’s relationship with creatives. Candidates promised commitments for more affordable housing and rent control, as well as greater support for creatives.

Mosby shared her lack of experience in creating art, but stressed her appreciation for the arts and her experience in city government. She said both are important in a qualified mayor who could ensure results, and emphasized them throughout the forum alongside ideas for greater dialogues, diversity and integration of arts into the city.

“To take our city to the next level, we need an experienced and proven leader,” Mosby said. “One who can yield the outcomes, whether it be for housing, whether it be for public safety, whether it be for education or expanding our arts and culture scene.”

Avula also touted his experience in politics and love for art, promising creatives “a seat at the table,” while also praising the power of arts and culture to heal communities and build and elevate narratives. Celebrating the contributions of creatives, regional investments, and the establishment of a city department focused on the arts were among his ideas.

“I think what you all should be evaluating for is someone who understands how to be a partner to the arts community,” Avula said.

Addison used his experience in city government to show his ability to bring results to the public, his experience as a business owner in recognizing the obstacles for entrepreneurs and his upbringing in proposals to facilitate artistic inspiration for the city’s youths.

“The equitable growth of our city is dependent on these kinds of conversations, these kinds of questions,” Addison said.

Neblett emphasized the ripple effects of policy on the city’s artistic community, highlighting issues like affordable housing and the Richmond Technical Center as vital supports. He suggested increasing funding and fostering partnerships with the city, local businesses and nonprofits as key strategies for enhancing support for the arts.

“When we bring together resources and create more public arts, festivals and creative spaces,” Neblett said. “We benefit not just the artists — it benefits the community.”

Roday, meanwhile, highlighted both the contributions of institutional and grassroots groups to Richmond’s art scene, alongside his own work with nonprofits, as he provided responses focused on economic development and community engagement.

“Our campaign is going to continue to be advocating for managing the cost of rent, increasing the supply of affordable housing and supporting our neighborhoods,” Roday said.

“Without doing those things, we’re not going to be able to be the incredible place for arts and culture that we have been.”

The arts will continue to be a part of the mayoral race this week, as candidates will participate in a 5th District forum 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at Richmond High School for the Arts.