The new director of the arts for the Danville Independent School District has decades of experience as an administrator and educator and will be taking on the role effective July 1, following predecessor Jane Dewey’s retirement. 

"Leaving a community that has been an essential piece of your career for 25 years can be challenging,” Dewey said. “I am very grateful that the DISD Board of Education, our superintendent Mr. Ballard, and Chief Academic Officer Suzanne Farmer continue to support the position in the Danville Schools. I am over the moon that our next [director of the arts] is Mr. Bo List, a theater artist, arts administrator and arts educator. He has the experience to continue the Danville Schools’ strong legacy in arts education for all students.”

A reception where members of the community can meet List will take place at Danville High School on May 15 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

List had his most recent experience as director of development for the Leeds Center for the Arts in Winchester, as well as drama faculty for the prestigious Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA). Prior to that, he held an assortment of administrative roles for various organizations. He also has extensive experience teaching theater, including at Transylvania University, Marist College, the University of Kentucky, the University of Memphis, Sayre School in Lexington and Houston High School in Tennessee. He also has experience as a playwright and actor, both in film and onstage. 

The Lexington native was drawn to Danville Schools due to the legacy of the district’s arts programs. 

“The school system's commitment to the arts is well-known, thanks to Jane Dewey's tireless efforts over the last quarter century,” he said. “I wanted to work in a vital community that understands why the arts are important to every aspect of life and learning, and Jane has done a marvelous job of demonstrating that importance — not only to Danville Schools, but at the state level. I love working with students, creating opportunities for artists and arts-lovers of all ages, and helping people find purpose in learning. This position is the jackpot.”

List also has fond memories of Danville; he spent a few summers in town while teaching with the GSA when it was at Centre College. 

“I'm looking forward to working with teachers and students, and to supporting their artistic and academic goals,” he said. “I also look forward to being a part of a new community. I like making new friends and embracing new challenges, and this position offers the chance to do both.” 

Since the DISD values the arts, List said when he takes on the role, one of his priorities will be to listen to students, staff and community members. 

“I want to know what works well, what traditions the community cherishes, what they want and need,” he said. “I also want to connect our community to as many resources as possible throughout the Commonwealth. Danville is bursting with talent, and there are so many stages, galleries, performance halls, publications and media in which our students should be seen, and I'm eager to facilitate as many opportunities as I can. More than anything, though, I want to make sure that the arts are viewed as a safe, affirmative and encouraging discipline, study and activity for everyone.”

List said if he “had a superpower,” it’s helping people express themselves.

“Whether it's directing a performance or mentoring an aspiring playwright or coaching a public speaker, I think I'm good at helping people tell a story,” he said. “More specifically, I am good at helping people tell their story.”

Danville and the DISD have a great story to tell, List said.

“It's the story of the transformative power of the arts, and what is possible when people come together to support young people,” he said. “It will be my job to inspire and recruit storytellers willing and able to spread the good word about the positive impact of the arts. If we can do that effectively, it will be easy to gather stakeholders willing to contribute.”

Superintendent Ron Ballard, Danville High School Principal Danny Goodwin and Chief Academic Officer Suzanne Farmer, who were involved in List’s hiring, reflected on the selection. 

Farmer said though there has been some anxiety in the community following the announcement of Dewey’s retirement as the district’s first director of arts education, she described List as “a perfect person to continue to grow our arts to improve opportunities for all of our students and the community.”

“Bo aligns with our district values of making the arts accessible to all students because it's more than creating artists; it's about building confidence and self-advocacy in our students,” she said. “With Bo's other arts experiences, he has a strong skill set of other important qualities for this role including communication, organization, time management, fundraising, grant writing and budgets.”

Goodwin said he is excited to have List join the team, both at DHS and on a districtwide level.

“He has some huge shoes to fill, but his experience, skill set, and great personality leave me feeling nothing but confident that he will only add to our successful ‘Arts for All’ programming at Danville Schools,” Goodwin said. “His experience teaching in the classroom, at Governor's School for the Arts, writing grants for a professional theater program and teaching theater at the collegiate level clearly demonstrate that he has a skill set that will bring so much to our arts programming in the Danville Schools.”

Ballard also said he is confident about the hire. 

“His passion for student engagement and the transformative power of the arts is evident in everything he does …He understands the heart of this community, and I’m confident he will expand opportunities for our students and ensure the arts remain a vibrant, inclusive part of our schools.”