Peace Center selects Jay Cohen as VP Programming

On behalf of the Nonprofit Practice of DHR Global, I'm pleased to announce the appointment of Jay Cohen as Vice President of Programming at the Peace Center (Greenville, SC). The appointment comes at a pivotal time for the Center, which is nearing completion of a significant $36 million renovation and expansion project that will further solidify its role as a premier cultural destination in the Upstate.

Jay will be responsible for curating programming across the Peace Center’s diverse collection of spaces, including the iconic 2,115-seat Concert Hall, the intimate 399-seat Gunter Theatre, and the newly renovated outdoor Pavilion on the river. His role will also be instrumental in launching programming for two exciting new venues emerging from rehabilitated historic structures on the 6-acre campus: the Coach Music Factory, a dynamic, two-tiered, flat floor venue envisioned for a wide range of contemporary music and events, and the Mockingbird, an intimate listening room and lounge designed to offer a unique and engaging experience for smaller performances.

Jay brings over 20 years of experience programming a diverse range of music, comedy, and performing arts. He joins the Peace Center from the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, where he served as Senior Director, Programming. During his tenure, Jay played a key role in conceiving and launching the innovative Frontyard Festival during the challenges of COVID, and also successfully opened the acclaimed Steinmetz Hall and Judson's Live venues, earning a reputation for innovative programming. Prior to that, he held positions at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts (now TO Live) in Toronto and as a talent buyer with Canadian promoter REMG Entertainment.

We are pleased to have partnered with the Peace Center in recruiting Jay to this position. Jay began his role in April 2025.