PAULA WILSON

Paula Wilson is a strategic arts leader with a breadth of experience in arts administration and a passion for equipping the next generation of arts leaders for sustainable careers.

Her administrative career began in operations at the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, a full-circle opportunity to work for the ensemble she grew up playing in. She then held roles at a variety of institutions within her alma mater, Indiana University Bloomington, including the African American Arts Institute, Indiana University Foundation, and the Jacobs School of Music Office of Admissions.

After receiving a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance and a minor in Arts Management from Indiana University, she completed Americans for the Arts’ Diversity in Arts Leadership internship in the Nashville Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement department. Additionally, she gained digital marketing experience as Program Assistant at the New Canon Chamber Collective, a nonprofit in South Florida dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black and Brown musicians.

In August 2021, Paula moved to Houston to pursue a Master of Arts in Arts Leadership at the University of Houston and a full-time position as Houston Symphony’s Digital Marketing Coordinator. She completed her practicum as a member of the Houston Symphony’s DEI Project Team, reporting to the CEO.

Following her time at the Houston Symphony, Paula accepted a membership and marketing role at Equity Arc, a national service organization dedicated to advancing equity in classical music. There, she grew membership by 220 percent and increased member retention by 300 percent. She now works in the artistic and community engagement department at Stages, a mid-sized theater company in Houston. She also provides arts administration services to nonprofit organizations across the country.

As an avid proponent of career development for students and young professionals, Paula has been invited to speak at national conferences including Artists’ Thrive, the Association for Arts Administration Educators, the Women in Classical Music Symposium, and SphinxConnect.

She is excited to return to the University of Houston to introduce students to the many possibilities within arts administration.

Education

Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance with Minor in Arts Management - Indiana University Bloomington - 2021
Master of Arts in Arts Leadership - University of Houston - 2023