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.
Public Meeting Notice
Three or more members of the Arts and Humanities Commission, three or more members of the Cultural Equity Committee of the Arts and Humanities Commission and/or three or more members of the Land Acknowledgement Subcommittee of the Arts and Humanities Commission may attend a City Council Briefing at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the City Council Conference Room, 2401 Courthouse Drive, Room 2034, Virginia Beach.
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.
Commission Information
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)
The Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission's Leadership and Organizational Development (LOD) Grant program supports arts and humanities leaders (professional administrators, key volunteers 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, 2028
Name
Alicia “Sunny” Phillips Peoples, treasurer
Term Begins
Feb. 21, 2022
Term Ends
June 30, 2026
Name
Christopher J. Buhner
Term Begins
Sept. 3, 2024
Term Ends
July 31, 2029
Name
Michael Cloud-Butler
Term Begins
July 7, 2020
Term Ends
June 30, 2028
Name
Susan C. Grube
Term Begins
July 1, 2022
Term Ends
June 30, 2026
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
Name
Patricia A. Phillips
Term Begins
April 16, 2024
Term Ends
June 30, 2028
Name
Hunter J. Thomas
Term Begins
July 1, 2024
Term Ends
June 30, 2028
Name
Position
Phone Number
Annual Report
The Commission supports arts-based projects fostering community unity by celebrating cultural diversity through innovation and participation.
