Philip S. Thomas

Philip S. Thomas forged an unparalleled professional career as a presenter of the performing arts in the disciplines of theater, dance, music, musical theater, puppetry, and the literary arts. As a corollary, he simultaneously developed and implemented arts education programs focused on training young people in the performing arts and implementing cultural education programs for students at the elementary and high school levels.

His leadership positions include the Greater Paterson Arts Council, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Newark Symphony Hall, Carter G. Woodson Foundation, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and the Wofabe: African Dance and Drum Festival.

Throughout his career, Mr. Thomas developed and implemented arts education programs focused on training young people in the performing arts and delivering cultural education programs for students at the elementary and high school levels. His work connected young people to performances, training opportunities, and pathways into professional and academic achievement.

Mr. Thomas is recognized as a leader in the development and presentation of community-based performing arts programming and high-quality theatrical events by the New Jersey and national arts community, state and local governments, and the private sector.

Mr. Thomas earned a BA in Theater from Montclair State College in 1977 and an MA in Arts Administration from Winthrop University in 2017.

He served in the United States Army from 1965 through 1967. He is a Vietnam veteran and a recipient of the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars for Valor.

He and his wife live in Charlotte, North Carolina, where, even in retirement, he remains an avid supporter of the arts.