After being informed of the termination of a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for its production of “Loving V. Virginia,” Virginia Opera has launched a crowdfunding campaign via GoFundMe to recoup some funds in support of the Virginia Opera Association.

The goal of the campaign is raise $6,000 which recently closed out its run in Richmond on May 11, 2025.

“As a chorus member in this production, it was the experience of a lifetime witnessing and being a part of its creation from workshop to rehearsals to the stage. This beautiful retelling of the Loving’s story is an important part of Virginian and American history, as these events literally happened in our backyard,” wrote Jennifer Woods, the organizer of the campaign. “We performed seven shows in three cities, and received standing ovations from the audience at every single one, the majority of which began before the last notes were played. It was a testimony to the impact and power of love, brought to life in front of your eyes.

“If you’re in an interracial marriage, have a family member who is, or simply support the idea that consenting adults should be able to marry each other without being arrested, it is because of Richard and Mildred Loving that we are allowed this freedom.”

Virginia is among several companies hit by recent changes to the NEA’s strategy for supporting art organizations. The NEA’s pivot is a result of several threats from the Donald Trump administration to eliminate all funding to the NEA. As such, the NEA has announced that it will provide funding to organizations whose projects align with Trump’s priorities of artistic expression.

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