Named one the 100 most influential people in Boston, David C. Howse is a recognized speaker and commentator on the arts and social integration, and for over a decade has been a leader in the arts and culture sector.  In his role as Vice President of the Office of the Arts and Executive Director of ArtsEmerson at Emerson College, Howse leads the College's multi-faceted Office of the Arts.  Howse is fiscally and administratively responsible for multiple performance venues in Downtown Boston.

Howse previously served as the Executive Director of the award-winning Boston Children’s Chorus, an organization that brings youth from the ages of 7 to 18 from the Greater Boston area to create harmony both musically and socially through a shared love of music. As a founding staff member, Howse was instrumental in helping grow BCC from a pilot project serving 20 kids in 2003 to a vibrant organization educating over 500 singers in 12 choirs in 5 locations. 

David co-chairs the Boston Cultural Leaders Coalition, a group of 30 local leaders dedicated to addressing and building on the City of Boston's focus on racial equity. He also co-chairs the International Presenters Commons, a group of national presenters and creative producers driven by a shared sense of urgency around protecting the potential of international cultural exchange..  As a faculty member of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, David teaches a 22 week leadership and management seminar to nonprofit managers and directors.

David serves as a Trustee on the Boards of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Norman Rockwell Museum, and White Snake Projects. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for The New Commonwealth Fund, Eastern Bank, Boston Landmarks Orchestra and as co-Chair of the Advisory Council of the New England Foundation for the Arts.

Howse holds degrees from Bradley University and New England Conservatory of Music and is a graduate of The Partnership, Inc.'s Next Generation Executive Leadership Program. Howse has received numerous awards and recognitions for his innovative leadership and civic contributions, including being named as one of Boston Most Influential Men of Color. In 2023, Howse was conferred the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for his significant contributions to the arts and dedication to promoting cultural exchange.

He lives outside of Boston with his wife, two sons, and their dog Pluto.