Gary P. Peterson

Current

Board of Directors at Ananya Dance Theatre
Consultant at Gary P. Peterson & Associates

Past

Resource Development Committee Member at Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus
Executive Director at James Sewell Ballet
Ad Hoc Committee Member at Red River Valley Flood Relief Clearinghouse

Retail Merchandise at Bachman's Inc.
Publisher at The Surveyor
Program producer & on-air co-host at KFAI FM - Fresh Air Radio, Inc.
Managing Director at Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre
Board of Directors at Create, Inc. of Minneapolis
Managing Director at Zenon Dance Company & School, Inc.
Legal Assistant at Chestnut & Brooks, law office
Group Facilitator at The Men's Center
Treasurer at Lee Burress Campaign for Minneapolis Library Board
Candidate at Gary Peterson Campaign for Minneapolis City Council
Campaign Manager at Dan Quillin Campaign for Minneapolis City Council
Campaign Co-Manager at Wes Skoglund Campaign for Minnesota Legislature
Administrative Assistant at Humphrey for President, Inc.
Assistant Office Manager at United States Senate, Office of Hubert H. Humphrey

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Education

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Recommended

1 person has recommended Gary P.

Connections

266 connections

Industry

Non-Profit Organization Management

Websites

Gary P. Peterson’s Summary

I position and build, successfully structuring organizational thinking about environmental realities to identify possibilities and to craft and implement coherent strategies in the service of missions and visions.

When individuals and organizations understand the universe of the credits and debits that make up their bottom lines they have options. Options = freedom. Freedom = power.

When necessary, I can do it all: hands-on, performing arts and nonprofit management; mission, vision, and product articulation; strategic planning; accounting and auditing; project and operational budgeting; marketing and public relations; fundraising; building administrative and governance capacity.

I have produced professional dance performances for three companies at 300+ domestic and international venues, including seven New York City engagements.

I understand the risks and rewards of the marketplace for the arts and politics from attending conferences and performing events in 22 cities under the aegis of Dance/USA, Arts Midwest, Southern Arts Federation, and GALA Choruses; from political dialogue in municipal, state, and national campaigns; and from my print and broadcast news reporting and interviews.

My perspectives from the private sector provide a competitive edge: law office management; legislative and administrative lobbying; multi-district antitrust and securities litigation; newspaper management and advertising sales; retail customer service and sales.

Gary P. Peterson’s Specialties:

Servant leadership. Critical analysis of operating and project plans; budgets and assumptions; and marketing/development/communications strategies.

Member of 19 grant review panels for Minnesota State Arts Board, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, and Jerome Foundation, 1999-2009.

Gary P. Peterson’s Experience

Board of Directors

Ananya Dance Theatre

(Performing Arts industry)

August 2009 — Present (4 months)

Ananya Dance Theatre is a company of women artists of color who create original works inspired by the passion of women working for social justice around the world. The aesthetic blends the sculptural forms, strong footwork, and emotional articulation of the classical Odissi style, the purity of line and release of breath of yoga, the efficiency and awareness of Indian martial arts traditions, the abstract theatrics of Indian rituals, and the urgent energy of street theater.
Consultant

Gary P. Peterson & Associates

(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

April 2008 — Present (1 year 8 months)

Consultant to individuals and organizations in the areas of strategic and tactical planning, positioning, and branding; programming; management; advocacy; budgeting; finance; marketing; public relations; fundraising; and the written word.

Developed multi-year strategic and operating plans for arts centers, 500+ seat theater, and producing theater and dance companies.
Resource Development Committee Member

Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus

(Performing Arts industry)

July 2008 — April 2009 (10 months)
Executive Director

James Sewell Ballet

(Performing Arts industry)

March 1995 — February 2008 (13 years )

Led operating budget growth from $156k to $810k over 12 years. Produced hundreds of performances at 300+ venues in 50 Minnesota communities, 28 states, Bermuda, and Iceland. Produced five performance/series visits to New York City. Member of Dance/USA's Ballet Managers' Council, 1995-2008.
Ad Hoc Committee Member

Red River Valley Flood Relief Clearinghouse

(Fund-Raising industry)

March 1998 — June 1998 (4 months)

Led and assisted efforts to successfully raise $100,000 for artists and arts organizations in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Retail Merchandise

Bachman's Inc.

(Privately Held; Facilities Services industry)

March 1993 — March 1995 (2 years 1 month)
Publisher

The Surveyor

(Newspapers industry)

January 1993 — January 1995 (2 years 1 month)

Wrote and edited news stories and editorials, sold advertising, and managed business affairs of community newspaper serving five downtown Minneapolis neighborhoods.
Program producer & on-air co-host

KFAI FM - Fresh Air Radio, Inc.

(Broadcast Media industry)

January 1985 — June 1993 (8 years 6 months)

Public affairs program producer and on-air co-host for weekly Fresh Fruit program, 1985-1993. Member, Programming Committee, 1988-1989. Member, Development Committee, 1985-1988.
Managing Director

Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre

(Performing Arts industry)

April 1991 — November 1992 (1 year 8 months)

Served as first administrative employee. Led operating budget growth from $43k to $100k over one year. Contracted first New York City performance series.
Board of Directors

Create, Inc. of Minneapolis

(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

1987 — 1992 (5 years )

Agency providing outpatient substance abuse treatment services. Member, board of directors, 1987-92; vice president, 1990-92.
Managing Director

Zenon Dance Company & School, Inc.

(Performing Arts industry)

August 1986 — April 1991 (4 years 9 months)

Led operating budget growth from $156k to $343k over five years. Managed budgeting, finance, marketing, fundraising, and operations of professional performing company and 1,000+ student school. Produced first New York City performance series. Managed charitable gambling pull-tab operation. Played instrumental role in recruitment and relocation of major choreographic talent from New York to Minnesota.
Legal Assistant

Chestnut & Brooks, law office

(Legal Services industry)

February 1973 — August 1986 (13 years 7 months)

Legislative and administrative agency lobbyist. Legal assistant for multi-district antitrust and securities litigation, including on-site discovery in 15 states. Law office operations and billing manager.
Group Facilitator

The Men's Center

(Health, Wellness and Fitness industry)

November 1981 — October 1983 (2 years )
Treasurer

Lee Burress Campaign for Minneapolis Library Board

(Political Organization industry)

February 1979 — November 1979 (10 months)
Candidate

Gary Peterson Campaign for Minneapolis City Council

(Political Organization industry)

February 1977 — November 1977 (10 months)
Campaign Manager

Dan Quillin Campaign for Minneapolis City Council

(Political Organization industry)

February 1975 — November 1975 (10 months)
Campaign Co-Manager

Wes Skoglund Campaign for Minnesota Legislature

(Political Organization industry)

July 1974 — November 1974 (5 months)
Administrative Assistant

Humphrey for President, Inc.

(Political Organization industry)

January 1972 — July 1972 (7 months)

National campaign office, Washington, D.C.
Assistant Office Manager

United States Senate, Office of Hubert H. Humphrey

(Government Administration industry)

January 1971 — July 1972 (1 year 7 months)

Office in Washington, D. C.

Gary P. Peterson’s Education

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

BA , Psychology, major; Child Psychology, minor , 1981 — 1983

Activities and Societies:

Undergraduate research assistant in perceptual development, Institute of Child Development.

Additional Information

Gary P. Peterson’s Websites:

Gary P. Peterson’s Interests:

Dance, the arts, politics, culture, new technology, reading, writing, history, American history, and public affairs.

Gary P. Peterson’s Groups:

Dance/USA; Jerome Foundation; Ananya Dance Theatre; Buckets & Tap Shoes; Arena Dances; Live Action Set; Performing Arts Archives at University of Minnesota