WS Chronicle

Staff Report

The Winston-Salem Chronicle

WINSTON-SALEM, NC — After a period of transition and organizational realignment, the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County has formally appointed Shannon B. Henry as its President and Chief Executive Officer, the organization announced this week. The appointment, effective February 1, 2026, follows her service as interim leader since July 2025, marking a new chapter for one of the nation’s oldest and most influential community arts organizations.

A Season of Transition and Renewal

Henry steps into the permanent role after guiding the Arts Council through a pivotal period of stabilization, fiscal restructuring, and renewed community engagement. Her leadership came amid a moment of leadership change following the summer 2025 departure of the previous CEO, Samantha Howard, who had been in the position less than a year. 

During her interim tenure, Henry oversaw the Council’s 75th Anniversary Celebration, an event that board leaders described as instrumental in rebuilding momentum and reaffirming community trust in the organization’s mission. The celebration highlighted the Arts Council’s deep ties to Winston-Salem’s cultural landscape and underscored its longstanding role as a hub for artistic expression and civic engagement. 

“Shannon has demonstrated exceptional leadership during a pivotal moment for the Arts Council,” said Howard Upchurch, Chair of the Board of Trustees, in a statement. “Her strategic insight, operational expertise, and deep commitment to this community make her the right leader to guide the organization forward.” 

Leadership Rooted in Strategy and Community

Henry brings a breadth of strategic, operational, and financial experience to her new role. Before joining the Arts Council, she served as Chief Strategy Officer at Winston-Salem State University, where she advanced major institutional initiatives focused on student success and organizational effectiveness. She also held the role of Chief Operating Officer at PBS North Carolina, overseeing statewide public media operations and leading transformational efforts at the organization. Earlier in her career, Henry served as Chief Audit, Risk, and Compliance Officer for both Winston-Salem State University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, providing executive oversight for complex institutional systems. 

Beyond her executive roles, Henry is an entrepreneur and creative practitioner, founding Huehattan, a boutique hat line that reflects her passion for design, craftsmanship, and artistic innovation. 

In accepting the permanent leadership post, Henry emphasized the arts’ central role in shaping Winston-Salem’s cultural and economic identity. “As the City of Arts and Innovation, Winston-Salem recognizes that the arts are essential to who we are as a region culturally, economically, and creatively,” she said. “I look forward to building on our momentum, deepening partnerships, and advancing a vision for an arts ecosystem that is resilient, inclusive, and impactful for all.” 

A Rich Legacy of Community Impact

Founded in 1949 with seed funding from the Junior League of Winston-Salem, the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County holds the distinction of being one of the first locally established arts councils in the United States. The organization has served as a model for similar arts advocacy groups nationwide, advocating for artists, funding cultural programming, and strengthening the region’s creative economy for more than 75 years. 

The Arts Council’s work weaves through Winston-Salem’s broader cultural ecosystem. The city is recognized for its rich arts landscape, home to institutions such as the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, Hanesbrands Theatre, the Sawtooth School for Visual Art, and other venues central to performance and visual arts in the region. The organization’s mission encompasses grantmaking, convening partnerships, and promoting educational opportunities that benefit residents of all ages. 

In recent years, the Council reported significant investment in the community — including more than $1.2 million in grants and programs in fiscal year 2023, and stewardship of millions more through local public funding, enhancing arts access and sustainability across Forsyth County. 

Looking Ahead

Henry’s appointment arrives at a moment when arts organizations nationwide are facing financial pressures, workforce challenges, and evolving demands for inclusive community engagement. Under her leadership, the Arts Council is expected to continue strengthening its financial footing, expanding partnerships, and deepening its impact as both a cultural beacon and a driver of local economic vitality.

As Winston-Salem positions itself as a vibrant “City of Arts and Innovation,” Henry’s strategic vision will be central to shaping the organization’s next era — one that seeks to ensure that the arts remain accessible, relevant, and sustainable for all community members.