City’s 2024 ‘Champion for the Arts’ Will Be Honored During Ceremony in August

The City of Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission posthumously selected Emma “Em” Davis as the 2024 Virginia Beach Champion for the Arts. This annual award is presented to a person, or persons, who has made a significant impact in Virginia Beach's vibrant cultural and arts community through volunteer and/or financial contributions.   

The Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission will present the 2024 Champion for the Arts award to Davis’ family during a ceremony from 5-7 p.m., Aug. 1, at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. It is free and open to the public. 

Davis’ Impact on the Arts Virginia Beach 

Davis was a longtime member of the Arts & Humanities Commission, including officer roles as treasurer, secretary and vice chair, as well as chair of the commission’s Public Art Committee. She also was one of the key voices in developing the Champion for the Arts award in 2016 and served on the selection committee for several years. 

“I am so grateful to have worked closely with, and learn from, Em Davis,” said Dr. Cynthia Romero, chair of the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. “Under Em’s leadership, the Champion for the Arts award has highlighted individuals displaying the unique combination of passion, dedication and generosity for the arts and culture in Virginia Beach. With her generous investments of unselfish time, boundless energy and invaluable resources for local arts organizations, Em Davis embodied the true spirit of the award. Her impact will be felt for years to come.” 

Born in North Carolina, and raised in Roanoke, Virginia, Davis earned a degree in teaching from Longwood College, then moved to Virginia Beach, where she lived the majority of her life. She worked for Virginia Beach City Public Schools for over 40 years as a teacher, principal and member of the Virginia Beach School Board.  

Davis had a vigorous passion for the arts in her community, including directing the Boardwalk Art Show for several seasons, and volunteering and/or serving on the boards of Little Theatre of Virginia Beach, Symphonicity and Virginia Musical Theatre.  

Known as the generous and vibrant life of the party, Davis loved to entertain friends and family, play bridge, garden, travel and attend theatrical productions.  

Champion for the Arts Background 

The idea for the Champion for the Arts award came about through the development of the City’s first-ever strategic plan for the arts, Virginia Beach Arts Plan 2030, in order to recognize community members dedicated to the furthering the arts in Virginia Beach. The commission thought that honoring citizens who go above and beyond to raise awareness for the arts in Virginia Beach was an important first initiative to implement from the plan.  

Previous Champion for the Arts award recipients include Barbara Lewis, Tom and Juanita Felton, Barbara and Andrew Fine, Meredith and Brother Rutter, Nancy Creech and Rose Daria.