Joan Squires has led Omaha Performing Arts through a period of growth and innovation, expanding access to the arts across Nebraska.
By Michael Hilt
Joan Squires: Leading Omaha Performing Arts With Vision and Heart
October 27th, 2025
Joan Squires grew up in south-central Pennsylvania, a region she fondly refers to as “Nebraska with hills.” Her career began in music education, teaching in public schools before earning dual master’s degrees in business administration and music from the University of Michigan.
Her journey through arts administration took her across the United States, culminating in Arizona, where she served as president and CEO of the Phoenix Symphony. Eventually, the promise and potential of Omaha drew her to the Midwest, where she took the helm of Omaha Performing Arts.
Under her leadership, the organization has grown and evolved, expanding its facilities and reach through projects like the Steelhouse and The Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement. Squires has emphasized the importance of accessibility, ensuring that the arts continue to reach audiences not only in Omaha but throughout Nebraska.
She sees exposure to the arts as essential to the vitality of the region and a reflection of its community spirit. Her background in education remains an important part of her work, connecting back to her roots as a music teacher and her commitment to arts education and youth engagement.
Squires’s belief in the transformative power of the arts continues to guide Omaha Performing Arts forward. Her vision underscores the idea that world-class creativity and talent can thrive within the community — right in Omaha’s own backyard.
