On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Danville Independent School District and the Danville Schools Education Foundation Friends of the Arts hosted the inaugural DISD Arts Hall of Fame in the Gravely Hall Performing Arts Center. The Arts Hall of Fame is a new annual award recognizing excellence in the arts in the Danville Schools. Initiated by Friends of the Arts (F.O.A.) and inspired by the Sports Hall of Fame, the Arts Hall of Fame celebrates the extensive history of arts excellence in the Danville Schools. 

The 2024 inductees are a group of former Danville Schools students and faculty whose creative, professional, and community work exemplify inclusive arts excellence in the Danville Schools. The inductees are:
 

• Ashley Gorley, DHS class of 1995, songwriter and music publisher
• William Gravely, Danville Schools faculty 1968-1984
• Larnelle Harris, DHS class of 1965, vocalist and performer  
• Heather Henson, DHS class of 1984, author 
• Maurice Manning, DHS class of 1984, author and poet 
• Janet Nash, choir director and music specialist Danville Schools 1971-2001 
• Frank X. Walker, DHS class of 1979, author and poet, playwright, visual artist

Each inductee spoke about their time in the school district and their inspirations from the Danville Schools. Performances and readings by Ashley Gorley, Maurice Manning and Frank X Walker were part of the evening. Newly-inducted Arts Hall of Fame honorees can be viewed on the Hall of Fame kiosks recently installed in the Danville High School lobby and on the Danville Schools website.

A call for nominations for the 2025 Arts Hall of Fame will be announced in late April. Nominees for the Arts Hall of Fame should be individuals who have excelled in their respective arts fields, either during their time with Danville Schools and/or since leaving Danville Schools. Nominees can also be individuals who foster and facilitate the development of other artists.  All nominees will be evaluated based on their contribution to the arts while part of the Danville Schools community, their contributions to the arts outside of Danville schools, and how they have empowered other artists. 

Founded in 2018, Friends of the Arts is a group of educators, community members, and Danville parents under the leadership of its chair and the director of arts education in the Danville Schools. Through volunteer work, planning, awards and fundraising, the F.O.A. serve to support, promote and engage with the arts in the Danville Schools.