Danville Independent Schools has a proud history of support for the arts. You will find artistic principles at work in every classroom, regardless of the subject, and a vibrant community of creative students being led by accomplished, professional teaching artists.
The Arts Hall of Fame, a biennial award recognizing excellence in the arts in the Danville Independent Schools, will be awarded for the second time in 2026. Initiated by Friends of the Arts (F.O.A.) in 2024 and inspired by the Sports Hall of Fame, the Arts Hall of Fame celebrates the extensive history of arts excellence in the Danville Schools.
"We're thrilled to continue the brand-new tradition of the Arts Hall of Fame this year," said Danville Schools Director of the Arts Bo List. "The heart of every community is its arts and artists, and the heartbeat of Danville is loud and strong, thanks to its robust support of those making it a more beautiful, more thoughtful, more eloquent, and more compassionate place. This recognition is a great way to acknowledge the wonderful creatives whose accomplishments have uplifted not only our schools but all of Danville and beyond."
With the Arts Hall of Fame, the district and Friends of the Arts not only celebrate former Danville students and former Danville employees but also the many years and varied ways inclusive arts excellence has been integrated into the Danville Schools experience.
"As a student in the Danville Schools in the '80s and '90s, I experienced how arts education is a defining element of the Danville Schools," said Ann Goodwin, a Danville native and current chair of F.O.A. "And, as I hear stories across the community, it’s beautifully clear that this history goes back decades before my time. I am grateful for the opportunity for Friends of the Arts to recognize so many talented artists and educators who created a lifelong appreciation of arts for so many in our community."
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.
Nominees for the Arts Hall of Fame should be alumni or former Danvillle Schools employee 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. You can submit your nomination by the deadline of June 15 at the link below.
Is your child interested in learning more about painting? Dance? Violin? Theatre? Or maybe you or your business would like to sponsor one of our programs. Regardless, if you want to know more about the arts in Danville, email Director of the Arts Bo List at bo.list@danville.kyschools.us. If you’d like to make an immediate impact with a donation, visit givedanville.org/give (and put in the notes that you want it to go to the arts)!
Gravely Hall is a 660-seat proscenium theater equipped with state of the art lighting and sound systems. Teachers are welcome to use Gravely Hall as a classroom extension or for performances and events.
