South Arts' newest team member—Charles Phaneuf, Vice President of Strategy—brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the organization. He joined South Arts in November 2021 and is overseeing philanthropic partnerships for Southern Cultural Treasures, strategy development, and advocacy to further our mission of advancing Southern vitality through the arts.
While living in Washington, DC, he served as Associate Managing Director of Shakespeare Theatre Company during its expansion into the Harman Center for the Arts, and also helped found the Capital Fringe Festival and the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra. Charles returned to Raleigh, NC to become Executive Director of Raleigh Little Theatre, where he led a revitalization of the organization culminating in a successful capital campaign. Under his leadership as President, the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County launched the first-ever Triangle-wide fundraiser for the arts (Big Night In for the Arts) with WRAL/WRAL.com, and partnered with Wake County on the $1 million Wake County Nonprofit Arts Relief Fund.
Charles has been named "Tar Heel of the Week" by the News and Observer (2018) and "40 Under 40" by the Triangle Business Journal (2014). He was selected as one of "19 People for 2019" by the Independent Weekly. He currently serves on the board of directors of Arts North Carolina and is a past chair of the Friends of the Gregg Museum at NC State. He enjoys biking, golf and playing music, often with his wife Emily, who is also a musician.
Connect with Charles by email or connect with him at 404.874.7244 x817.