Academy Center of the Arts

Lynchburg's Local Arts Center

Hill City Keys

Hill City Keys Logo_new-01

Hill City Keys, formally known as Keys for the Hill City, is back for a fourth year. The program has a new name and new direction under the Academy Center of the Arts as part of the Community Outreach Initiative. The program was started when Libby Fitzgerald was inspired by a similar program in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The pianos will be unveiled Saturday, April 22nd. Performers from Lynchstock Music Festival will kick of the day with music from 9:30am to 10:30am.

Seven creatively painted pianos will be placed on sidewalks downtown from April through September. Pianos are donated and transported to local schools, where they are painted with the direction of art teachers. Each piano has a distinct theme that represents the artistic gifts of local students. Each piano is tuned and ready to play throughout downtown Lynchburg for the public to engage, play, and enjoy.

There are plans to schedule musical entertainment around the pianos throughout the season. Most of all, we hope local citizens and visitors alike will tickle those keys and make magical musical moments for our city!
The pianos are known to engage those strolling down the sidewalks downtown who play the pianos on a whim.
The Academy encourages you to not only play the pianos, but also record your performances with photos and video.
Share your experience on social media by using the hashtag #hillcitykeys

Thank you to Home Depot for providing paint and supplies to the schools, to T. J. Matthews for tuning, and to Perry’s Pianos for moving.  Special thank you to this year’s sponsors Jamerson Lewis Construction and Pacific Life for making this program possible.

So be sure to see and play all of the pianos at their downtown locations:

  • Bank of the James – Heritage High School
  • The Galleria -Dunbar Middle School
  • Schewels Furniture – Virginia Episcopal School
  • Kegney Bros Irish Pub – Jefferson Forest High School
  • Community Market – Altavista High School
  • Amazement Square – EC Glass High School
  • Visitor Center – Brookville High School

Please contact Director of Community Outreach Evan Smith at 434-528-3256×114 with any questions or comments.

CONTACT US:

(434) 846-8499
600 Main Street
Lynchburg, VA 24504
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CURRENT ACADEMY HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES 9/24/21

At the Academy Center of the Arts, the health and safety of our patrons, staff, performers, and volunteers is our priority. Like you, we are closely monitoring COVID-19 and its current impact on our community, and are following CDC guidelines and recommendations from local authorities and the Virginia Department of Health.


In response to current CDC recommendations, the requests of our performing artists, and to protect our community, everyone entering the Academy Center of the Arts’ facilities for Academy ticketed performances, classes, and gallery activities will be required to wear a face mask as of September 17, 2021.


– Guests must remain masked at all times, however, masks can be removed momentarily only when eating or drinking.

– Masks must fit snugly and cover the wearer’s nose and mouth.

– Masks will be readily available in our lobbies, galleries, and classrooms for patrons in need.


Upcoming events that require COVID-19 Vaccination OR Proof of Negative COVID-19 Diagnostic test result are listed at academycenter.org/health-safety-guidelines/.


Any patrons with tickets to an Academy performance that do not wish to comply with our current policies may receive a full refund through our Box Office, M-F, 12PM – 5PM, by phone at (434) 846-8499 or by email at [email protected].