Chad Henderson Named Executive Director of Arts Center of Kershaw County

Exciting new from our friends at the Arts Center of Kershaw County …

The Arts Center of Kershaw County has hired Chad Henderson as the new Executive Director. Henderson, the former Trustus Theatre Artistic Director and SC Philharmonic Marketing Director, will begin on January 12th , 2026. The Executive Director provides overall artistic and administrative leadership to the Arts Center, achieving the Arts Center’s goals for artistic excellence, audience development, fundraising, sponsorship and business relations development, financial sustainability and community engagement.

Henderson succeeds Dolly Patton, who resigned from the position in summer of 2025.

The Arts Center of Kershaw County serves as the cultural hub for the region, offering visual arts exhibitions, performing arts events, and educational programming that enriches the community and attracts visitors from across South Carolina.

Chad Henderson, a Spartanburg native and current resident of Columbia, SC, has spent more than 18 years in the non-profit arts sector. At Trustus Theatre, Columbia’s professional theatre, Henderson served as the Marketing Director from 2007 to 2015, and the Artistic Director from 2015 to 2021. He has served as the Marketing Director for the SC Philharmonic from 2021 to 2026.

Known in the SC arts community as a visionary theatre director, Henderson has been awarded the 2018 Founders award from the SC Theatre Association for his work as an arts leader, and the 2012 Artist of the Year in Theatre from the Jasper Project. As a filmmaker, his work took top honors at the Jasper Project’s 2nd Act Film Festival in 2017 and 2024.

Henderson is also an accomplished playwright—his play Let It Grow won the 2024 Jasper Project Play Right Series and is available for purchase on Amazon. He has completed three residencies with the Studios of Key West in Key West, Florida.

Visit his website to learn more about previous projects.

“We are excited to welcome Chad Henderson as the new Executive Director of the Arts Center of Kershaw County,” said Board President Lee Inabinet. “Chad brings tremendous enthusiasm along with extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, marketing, and the arts. We are confident his vision and energy will strengthen the Center’s impact and support its continued growth in our community.”

The appointment also represents an important milestone in the ongoing partnership between the City of Camden and the Arts Center of Kershaw County. “Chad brings a wealth of experience from his work with the Columbia Philharmonic (sic), and we are confident his leadership and vision will strengthen the arts within our community and build and even stronger partnership between the City and the Arts Center” said City Manager Matt DeWitt.

Henderson shares the board’s enthusiasm. “The Arts Center of Kershaw County is a truly special organization in this state, and I couldn’t be more honored to become its next leader.” said Henderson. “I look forward to working with the artists and stakeholders of Kershaw County and beyond to deepen the organization’s impact and to grow the Arts Center’s unique capability to serve the community’s cultural appetite.”

Congratulations to Chad Henderson and The Arts Center of Kershaw County!

Chad Henderson Moves to SC Philharmonic

PRESS RELEASE

SOUTH CAROLINA PHILHARMONIC

Chad Henderson

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Philharmonic welcomes Chad Henderson as the new Marketing and Communications Director. The position, recently held by Kristin Morris, will be filled by the recent Executive Director of Trustus Theatre who resigned from Trustus on July 29, 2021. SC Philharmonic Executive Director Rhonda Hunsinger announced the hiring of Henderson on August 9, 2021, and Henderson’s first day with the SC Philharmonic will be August 16, 2021. 

Henderson, a native of Spartanburg, SC, came to Columbia in 2003 as a student of the South Carolina Honors College. He started his studies at the university as an aspiring professional percussionist at the school of music with a minor in advertising. He later transitioned to a major in advertising and a minor in theatre. Henderson served as Trustus Theatre’s Marketing Director for eight years starting in 2007, was Artistic Director for 5 years, and the organization’s Executive Director throughout the past year - which included the theatre’s closure due to the pandemic and its return to live performance. With 14 years of experience promoting nonprofit arts programming in Columbia, Henderson is excited to join the SC Philharmonic team as they launch their 2021/2022 concert season with live and virtual performances.  

South Carolina Philharmonic Executive Director Rhonda Hunsinger expressed her excitement to welcome Henderson to the team after receiving his application for the position earlier in July 2021. “I have known Chad since his early days at Trustus and have always admired his creative drive and commitment to the arts in Columbia,” said Hunsinger. “As colleagues we have often turned to each other for guidance, and I am delighted that we can now work together to advance the mission of the South Carolina Philharmonic!” 

Henderson’s passion for music, experience in promoting events in Columbia, and his desire to work for an established team of professionals makes him a winning fit for the Marketing and Communications Director position at the South Carolina Philharmonic. “I am a longtime fan of the South Carolina Philharmonic and its programming, and am thrilled to have the opportunity to join their team,” said Henderson. “The leadership at the South Carolina Philharmonic has an amazing track record and tenure, and the Board of Directors has been exemplary in it support of the staff and moving the organization forward. I had the pleasure of talking with various members of the Philharmonic’s artistic family over the past few weeks, and I am so delighted to be able to work for this amazing arts organization.” Henderson intimated that he considered applying for the position when it became available in 2018, but is so grateful to have the Opportunity in 2021.

 SC Philharmonic Mission: The South Carolina Philharmonic is committed to performing live symphonic music and providing dynamic educational opportunities in the Midlands. We carry forward a legacy of passion for the music and embrace our responsibility to be a vibrant part of the cultural fabric of our diverse community.