Tara Dolan is originally from Massachussetts, growing up just outside of Boston. Tara graduated from Salem State University with a B.A. in English specializing in Secondary Education. After graduating, she relocted to Chicago, IL where she became heavily involved in the DIY arts and music scene, including becoming a mentor/Director of Ag47 Collective, a youth arts mentorship program which paired participants aged 11-18 with local artists for weekly workshops, culminating in an end-of-year showcase gallery installation. Simultaneously, Tara worked in the youth development sector and received her Master's of Nonprofit Administration from DePaul University, School of Public Service.

Tara, her spouse and dog moved to Harrisonburg, VA in the summer of 2024, and she was overjoyed to join Furious Flower Poetry Center at JMU in May 2025. She is currently enrolled in JMU's Graduate School as part of the Entrepreneurship & Leadership in the Arts & Design Graduate Certificate program. 

Outside of supporting Furious Flower Poetry Center, Tara enjoys creating and experiencing art, hiking, gardening, and reading. Tara currently serves on the Board of Directors at Friendly City Food Co-Op in Harrisonburg. Catch her at Furious Flower's reading events and workshops, or at a local show!