Holly Senter
Cleveland
Summary
Accomplished arts administrator and educator with over 15 years of experience in arts leadership, production, and education. Proven record of success in curating performing arts seasons, overseeing budgets, managing staff, and cultivating donor and community relationships. Currently serving as Director of Production and Acting Executive Director at the Bologna Performing Arts Center (BPAC), Delta State University, providing organizational leadership, fiscal oversight, and artistic vision for a university-affiliated performing arts center that serves regional, state, and national audiences.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Production and Acting Executive Director
Bologna Performing Arts Center, Delta State University
09.2025 - Current
- Provide leadership and oversight for all BPAC operations, including Production, Marketing, Patron Services, and Arts Education.
- Supervise and mentor full- and part-time staff, fostering a collaborative and mission-driven work culture.
- Curate, negotiate, and execute contracts for the annual performing arts season, including national tours, concerts, and community events.
- Develop and manage multiple university and foundation budgets, process requisitions and payments, and monitor expenditures in Banner.
- Serve as the center’s chief fundraiser in partnership with the DSU Foundation, cultivating corporate sponsors and individual donors.
- Oversee marketing and audience development strategies with the Marketing Director, including playbills, print, and digital campaigns.
- Manage all technical production operations, including lighting, sound, staging, and artist hospitality.
- Represent BPAC and DSU at state and national arts organizations and serve as the public spokesperson for the center.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
Director of Arts Education and Production
Bologna Performing Arts Center, Delta State University
01.2021 - 09.2025
- Administered comprehensive arts education programs serving over 30,000 students in the Mississippi Delta.
- Directed the Janice Wyatt Mississippi Summer Arts Institute, overseeing 150+ youth participants and 45 staff.
- Designed and managed marketing, grant applications, contracts, and event logistics.
- Curated gallery exhibitions, including the 2023–2024 Floyd Shaman retrospective.
- Designed and produced promotional materials using Adobe Creative Suite and managed digital marketing platforms.
- Collaborated with local schools and arts organizations to expand access to arts education.
Professor of Art
Roane State Community College
08.2018 - 06.2020
- Taught multiple sections of Introduction to Art and Art Appreciation; developed curriculum and student assessment methods.
- Developed and implemented innovative teaching strategies utilizing technology and best practices.
- Enhanced student understanding by designing interactive and engaging lectures.
- Created dynamic learning environment that valued instructor and student interaction.
Instructor of Sculpture and Foundations
Caldwell University
09.2011 - 12.2013
- Designed and implemented course curricula for 3-D Design, Introduction to Sculpture, and Intermediate Sculpture.
- Facilitated interactive learning experiences to enhance student participation and retention.
- Collaborated with faculty to design interdisciplinary courses aligned with educational standards.
Art Instructor
Mississippi State University
02.2009 - 07.2009
- Instructed students in drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture; developed inclusive art curricula for diverse learners.
- Developed curriculum integrating contemporary art techniques and historical context for diverse student populations.
- Facilitated engaging workshops, fostering creativity through hands-on projects and collaborative learning environments.
Education
Doctor of Education - Professional Studies, Specialization in Higher Education Leadership
Delta State University
Cleveland, MSMaster of Fine Arts - New Forms
Pratt Institute
Brooklyn, NY05-2011
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Painting/Drawing, Minor Art History
Ontario College of Art And Design University
Toronto, ON05-2008
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
- Strategies and goals
- Project coordination
- Goal setting
- People management
- Operations management
- Project management
- Relationship building
- Creativity and innovation
- Budget control
- Budget management
- Banner, WordPress, Salesforce, Microsoft Office Suite
Accomplishments
- Curated and produced Floyd Shaman: A Life in Art, a major retrospective exhibition (2023–2024).
- Secured grants and sponsorships from Mississippi Arts Commission, Entergy, NEA, and the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.
- Serves as Chair of the DSU Staff Council and member of DSU Strategic Planning and Centennial Committees.
- Presented at the Mississippi Whole Schools Conference and Ronald Reagan Institute Summit on Education.
- Panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts and South Arts grant programs.
Affiliations
- Chair, Delta State University Staff Council
- Board Member, Delta Arts Alliance
- Grantee Coordinator, South Arts
- Advisory Board Member, Delta Health Alliance – Mississippi Delta Teacher Resource Centers
- Member, Association of Performing Arts Professionals
- Member, Council on Undergraduate Research
Timeline
Director of Production and Acting Executive Director
Bologna Performing Arts Center, Delta State University
09.2025 - Current
Director of Arts Education and Production
Bologna Performing Arts Center, Delta State University
01.2021 - 09.2025
Professor of Art
Roane State Community College
08.2018 - 06.2020
Instructor of Sculpture and Foundations
Caldwell University
09.2011 - 12.2013
Art Instructor
Mississippi State University
02.2009 - 07.2009
Doctor of Education - Professional Studies, Specialization in Higher Education Leadership
Delta State University
Master of Fine Arts - New Forms
Pratt Institute
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Painting/Drawing, Minor Art History
Ontario College of Art And Design University
Achievements
Selected Achievements
-Curated and produced Floyd Shaman: A Life in Art, a major retrospective exhibition (2023–2024).
- Secured grants and sponsorships from Mississippi Arts Commission, Entergy, NEA, and the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.
- Serves as Chair of the DSU Staff Council and member of DSU Strategic Planning and Centennial Committees.
- Presented at the Mississippi Whole Schools Conference and Ronald Reagan Institute Summit on Education.
- Panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts and South Arts grant programs.