4 minute read
Spruill Labows
EMILY SPRUILL LABOWS City of Virginia Beach Director of Cultural Affairs
Since 2000, Emily Labows has led the Virginia Beach cultural arts program from a small granting agency to an arts leader in Virginia. She works to create innovative programs, stimulate community pride, and make Virginia Beach a more attractive, vibrant city for residents and visitors. She has led the Office of Cultural Affairs, now the Department of Cultural Affairs, since its formation in 2006. In July 2019, her department welcomed the addition of the Virginia Beach History Museums. It married the city’s arts, historic and cultural entities under one umbrella with the singular purpose of engaging residents and visitors through meaningful arts, heritage and cultural experiences that connect and strengthen communities. Ms. Labows oversaw the development and construction of the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts with extensive public participation from citizens and users. Under her leadership, the City’s Public Art Program has placed vibrant murals and sculptures throughout the city, with 35 new pieces added since 2000. Her office developed the City’s first 15year arts strategic plan with the community and has released powerful figures on the economic impact of the arts in the city. Her priorities include increasing cultural diversity in arts programming and sharing Virginia Beach’s history in new ways through impactful educational and community programming, while preserving and protecting our treasured historical sites. In 2022, the Cultural Affairs Department was honored with a Human Rights Award from the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, she is a graduate of Norfolk Academy where she is currently on the Alumni Board. She earned a B.A. in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. In 2008, she was named one of Hampton Roads’ Top 40 under 40 by Inside Business, and the Virginia Beach Rotary Club named her the 2019 Outstanding City Employee of the Year. She lives in Virginia Beach with her husband and daughter, who are her biggest supporters.
Why did you decide to work in the arts?
When I was growing up, I was able to see the Broadway show Les Misérables. I was wowed by the power of how the arts communicated the intensity of the story and the experiences of the characters. It was a transformational experience. It’s so important to expose children to a variety of art forms to inspire and help them connect to themselves and others.
Tell us about a challenge you are proud that you have overcome.
We’re working to grow multi-cultural programming with the goal of bringing the community together to celebrate our diversity. We have made progress thanks to wonderful multicultural partners.
What is one thing you do every day and why?
In the evening, I talk to my 11-year-old daughter about her day. It’s a great time to connect with her, hear about her experiences and discuss any challenges she may be facing.
What is the best thing that has happened to you in your journey in the arts?
I had the opportunity to lead one of the City of Virginia Beach’s largest and most visible construction projects, the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts at Town Center, which opened in November 2007. With no small amount of energy, effort and vision from City Council, City staff and devoted citizens, we created a community treasure to be enjoyed for generations to come.
What does being a part of the Virginia Beach community mean to you?
It’s exciting to see how the arts in Virginia Beach have grown over the past 20 years. It could not have happened without a lot of dedicated arts partners and advocates. It’s an honor to work with these wonderful organizations to help us create a better community together. It is a powerful example of how citizens and government can make change.
What is your favorite thing about living and working in Virginia Beach?
It’s a thriving city with the beautiful Atlantic Ocean minutes away. I love that I get to live in a place where people choose to vacation.
How did you persevere through the tough times?
Focusing on the good in your life and what brings you joy helps put tough times intro perspective.
KATE PITTMAN is a nonprofit arts executive with over 16 years experience working in Hampton Roads. In her role as director for the first arts district in Virginia Beach, she works with a nonprofit board of community leaders, city officials, a business association of approximately 100 small local businesses and over 300 artists to champion local culture. Pittman partners with artists and entrepreneurs to collaborate in the unique and engaging destination called ViBe. The ViBe District has rapidly grown since its 2015 adoption by city council with the addition of over 58 new small businesses and over 350 works of art. The ViBe Creative District nonprofit has raised over $1.4 Million dollars to support local artists and small businesses and has received 850 positive press articles--including Jeopardy, Rolling Stone Magazine and Southern Living. Pittman lives with her husband and sons in Virginia Beach.
Why did you decide to work in the arts?
I always loved to draw as a child and would sketch on anything-even the paper on the doctor’s room tables. In 2nd grade, I was selected as art student of the month and I was hooked on my passion. My favorite field trips were always museums!
What is your favorite part of being an arts entrepreneur?
The freedom of expression and creativity. When I brainstorm ideas for projects, I usually get a visual first and then write out a plan to achieve that picture in my head.
Tell us about a challenge you are proud that you have overcome.
I’m most proud of building ViBe Creative District from the ideas on paper to the physical space you see today. Our community had to start from scratch and fundraise along the way. My background was project management in a museum setting and ViBe is an outdoor museum without walls or a roof-- the sky’s the limit.
What is one thing you do every day and why?
Everyday I read to my twin boys. Books were such an important part of my childhood and I want to share that with them. One day, I would love to write and illustrate a children’s book.
