RIFF ARTS INSTITUTE
RAI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, discovery, and support of artists. Our mission is to educate, inspire, promote and mobilize artists and connect them with audiences and communities through ongoing engagement programs, business leadership opportunities, and creative strategic development initiatives.
The Institute was born as a result of the Richmond International Film Festival annual artist programming work and a need to further those development and educational initiatives year-round. For more info on the upcoming14th annual festival, visit www.rvafilmfestival.com or their Facebook page
Mission & Goals
The goals of the RIFF Arts Institute are:
To provide a platform for artists, which allows artists to share their voice with the community.
To provide training, support, and development programs that allow artists to further their skillsets and artistic reach.
To provide education and informational workshops that have a positive impact on individuals and communities.
To provide retreats, labs, and conferences that focus on particular areas of need in the community including underserved areas.
To provide inspirational, vocation, and technical tools that bring fellow artists together and allow for further engagement and future work.
To collaborate and provide referrals to other programs, organizations, or entities that can assist in the development and promotion of the arts and artists.
To better the arts and community by providing consultation and counseling services to individuals in need.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF DIRECTOR BIOS
HEATHER WATERS, PRESIDENT
Heather Waters is an award-winning producer, director, and writer known for her visionary leadership in film, music, and the arts. As a development and consulting producer, she has shaped hundreds of compelling narratives in the writing and development process and countless others through industry positioning, production, festival circuit, and distribution process.
She is the Founder & Producer of the Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF), one of the largest in the region, Co-founder of Creative World Awards (CWA), a leading development company serving writers worldwide, and President of the RIFF Arts Institute. A forward-thinking entrepreneur, Waters is also on the cutting edge of industry technology with her newest creation, The Indie MIX, an online platform that connects creators, facilitates project funding, and streamlines production management. The newest addition includes AI creative collaborations, which will launch spring 2025.
For film, Waters’ body of work spans narratives and documentaries. As Producer, she is in pre-production on the feature, YOYOs. As Director, her most recent film, A Mother’s Promise, is making its run nationally on the festival circuit with an accompanied feature in development. Waters studied film and writing at Georgia State University and has a Masters of Arts in International Relations with a specialization in the Middle East. She resides in Richmond, Virginia with her daughter, Jaika and pup, Koda.
MARGARET CROWDER, SECRETARY
Margaret “Peg” Crowder is a seasoned film professional with a passion for film making in all cinematic experiences. Her area of expertise is in finding the perfect settings for film and commercial production. As Richmond native she loves to showcase the riches and beauty of Virginia. Throughout her career, Peg has served as a Producer, Production Manager, Location Manager, Set Decorator Buyer, Property Master and much more, contributing her skills to renowned projects like "Harriet," "Homeland," “Loving,” “Turn” and "The Good Lord Bird." Her dedication to the film community extends beyond her creative work. She has been an active member of the Virginia Production Alliance and served as the Membership Development Director. Her ability to develop partnerships, secure sponsorships, and facilitate co-branding opportunities has made her a sought-after professional. She holds a Masters of Arts in Film (Regent University) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (University of Miami). She was the producer for a student film that won a Regional Student Academy Award. She is proud member of IATSE.
CRAIG MARTIN, CO-VICE PRESIDENT
When Craig Martin yells, “stop the van!” his The Good Road co-host, Earl Bridges, gets worried. It usually means Craig wants to get out and film something potentially bizarre happening by the side of the road. Craig is almost always unfazed in dangerous environments because he has spent the past 30 years filming in war zones, disaster zones and remote villages in more than 85 countries.
Craig Martin is an experienced visual storyteller, film-maker and writer with more than 30 years of experience. As a video/film producer, director, writer and editor, Craig has produced hundreds of projects both long and short form. With an MA in Communications from Baylor University, Craig has explored a variety of formats including dramatic and journalistic storytelling with a focus on documentary. In addition to his film accomplishments, Craig has contributed multiple articles for national publications. He produced the feature length docudrama The Insanity of God distributed internationally by Word Films and screened in more than 500 theaters through Fathom Events. This film had a national theatrical release with a viewership of 88,000 and sold $1.2M in tickets. He is Executive Producer on Free Burma Rangers, a Fathom/LifeWay documentary that screened in theaters nationally in February 2020. He Executive Produced Anahita: A Mother’s Journey airing on PBS and won an Upper Midwest Emmy. Phil Cooke, a nationally renowned filmmaker, writer and founder of Cooke Media Group in Burbank, CA, says “Craig has been in demand internationally as a media producer and executive, and as a result is particularly experienced working in diverse cultures, leading highly skilled teams, and dealing in high stress situations..”
Currently, Craig is the co-host and producer of a Daytime Emmy nominated TV docu-series called The Good Road. This series explores the world of philanthropy and Season Five is airing through American Public Television and World Channel with Season Six coming in the fall of 2025. Craig has also produced a podcast called Philanthropology and written two books, Confessions of a Philanthropologist and 1:0 Commandments: You May Never Yield a Return. And, he is publisher of Philanthropy Journal.
J. DONTRESE BROWN, CO-VICE PRESIDENT
Dontrese is a strategic thought leader and change agent with deep expertise in community collaboration and designing justice into our built environment. He is masterful in navigating transformational change through a uniquely diverse interdisciplinary combination of business and marketing acumen, creative design, strategic planning, and an intentional commitment to community development and social justice. He is a servant leader committed to inspiring and developing people to achieve their fullest potential. Dontrese is an exceptional communicator who fosters a culture of excellence through a compelling vision of respect, integrity, and empowerment while squarely focused on driving results and making a positive impact. Dontrese has led various teams from a creative and professional development perspective. He ispassionate about brand and the business of design, building empathetic narratives, and advancing racial equity through social justice instigation. Most recently, Dontrese cofounded Hidden In Plain Site, a V.R. exploration of distinct but overlooked sites around our nation, that tell the story of the Black experience throughout America’s history. He also led the historical movement to rename the Boulevard to Arthur Ashe Boulevard for Richmond, VA, and led the vision to make Cristo Rey Richmond High School (CRRHS) a reality for the under-served youth of the Richmond communities.
A sought-after speaker on design and innovation, strategic leadership, and aligning purpose with passion, Dontrese serves as the Board Chair for Urban Hope, Chair of the Richmond Public Library, board of trustees for Georgetown College and the board of directors for BridgePark R.V.A., RIFF Arts Institute, and Dominion Energy Innovation Center (DEIC). Dontrese is a 2025 Morehead State University Alumni Hall of Fame inductee, a 2024 RVA Community Maker Honoree, a 2023 Georgetown College Distinguished Alumni Recipent, inducted into the Georgetown College Hall of Fame and New Albany High School (IN) Hall of Fame and a member of the Leadership Metro Richmond 2020 Cohort. He earned graphic design degrees from Georgetown College (B.F.A.), Morehead State University (M.A.), and Savannah College of Art & Design (M.F.A.).
K.L. STEWART, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
K.L. Stewart is the Founder of Nashville based non-profit counseling organization, FreshStart Resources. A community leader in the greater Nashville area, she has been guiding, counselling and mentoring individuals and families for more than 40 years.
KIRK T. SCHRODER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kirk T. Schroder of Schroder Davis Law Firm is an experienced entertainment and arts law attorney. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for the field of entertainment law and is currently rated an “AV Preeminent” lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for lawyers. * Kirk’s national peers in the entertainment and sports law profession elected him the current chair of the American Bar Association’s Entertainment and Sports Law Section. His law practice draws entertainment and arts-related clients from around the world.
BRENDA MOORE, TREASURER
Development & Advisory Committee Leadership:
Maggie Melton (SpangTV), Brian Dismore (Moonday Productions), Nadine & Scot Koehler