Alexandria is a designated cultural hub, deeply supportive of the visual and performing arts. The crown jewel is the **Torpedo Factory Art Center**, a former naval munitions factory converted into the nation's largest collection of publicly accessible, working artist studios.
Performing arts thrive at **The Little Theater of Alexandria**, one of the oldest and most successful community theaters in the country. The **Alexandria Symphony Orchestra** provides high-tier classical and contemporary performances. For live music, **The Birchmere**, located in the Arlandria neighborhood, is a legendary, intimately sized music hall that has hosted world-renowned folk, country, and bluegrass artists.