Arts & Humanities Commission
The commission promotes excellence in the arts and humanities by initiating and supporting programs, activities and policies that inspire, nurture and reflect the cultural diversity of the area.
Cultural Affairs
The Commission's work plan goals are realized through the initiatives of its committees. These committees focus on developing and promoting leadership within the arts, advocacy for arts organizations and creating and sustaining effective arts programs and services.
Community Cultural Arts Grants
This grant is designed to aid in building cultural equity in the arts in Virginia Beach by providing support for arts-based projects that reflect our changing communities through innovative, culturally rooted and/or participatory projects with the goal of bringing the community together to celebrate cultural and ethnic diversity.
Leadership and Organizational Development (LOD)
LOD Grant program supports arts and humanities leaders (professional administrators and board members) in acquiring skills and practical tools that hone their ability to lead, develop and sustain the overall health and vitality of arts and humanities organizations.
Project Grants
The Commission provides financial assistance to organizations (in the form of project grants) for activities serving the residents of Virginia Beach. Applicants may apply for only one project grant in any grant period.
The Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission typically meets on the first Thursday of every month except for these months:
- January
- March (due to grants presentations and deliberations later in the month)
- April
- August
- October
This meeting schedule is subject to change. Please email artsinfo@vbgov.com to confirm meeting dates, times and locations.
The Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission is comprised of 11 members appointed by City Council. Commission members serve two-year terms and are eligible for reappointment for four consecutive terms.
Name
Term Begins
Term Ends
Name
Cynthia C. Romero, MD, chair
Term Begins
July 1, 2023
Term Ends
June 30, 2027
Name
Olga L. Torres-Baker, vice chair
Term Begins
July 7, 2020
Term Ends
June 30, 2024
Name
The Hon. Winship C. Tower (Ret.), secretary
Term Begins
March 2, 2021
Term Ends
June 30, 2026
Name
Alicia “Sunny” Phillips Peoples, treasurer
Term Begins
Feb. 21, 2022
Term Ends
June 30, 2026
Name
Emma “Em” Davis
Term Begins
July 1, 2020
Term Ends
June 30, 2024
Name
Michael Cloud-Butler
Term Begins
July 7, 2020
Term Ends
June 30, 2024
Name
Susan C. Grube
Term Begins
July 1, 2022
Term Ends
June 30, 2026
Name
Mia K. Guile
Term Begins
Aug. 3, 2021
Term Ends
July 31, 2025
Name
Raeesah Islam
Term Begins
July 7, 2020
Term Ends
June 30, 2024
Name
Mark A. Johnson
Term Begins
July 1, 2023
Term Ends
June 30, 2027
Name
Ashley K. McLeod
Term Begins
July 1, 2023
Term Ends
June 30, 2025
2024
- January: No Meeting
- Feb. 1: Agenda | Minutes
- March 21 Grant Presentations: Agenda
- March 22 Grant Presentations and Deliberations: Agenda
- April: No Meeting
- May 2: Agenda | Minutes
- June 6: Agenda | Minutes
2023
- Feb. 2: Agenda | Minutes
- March 30: Agenda | FY24 Grant Presentations | FY24 Grant Deliberations
- May 4: Agenda | Minutes
- June 1: Agenda | Minutes
- July 13: Agenda | Minutes
- Sept. 7: Agenda | Minutes
- October: No Meeting
- Nov. 2: Agenda | Minutes
- Dec. 7: Agenda | Minutes
2022
Annual Report
The Commission supports arts-based projects fostering community unity by celebrating cultural diversity through innovation and participation.
