NORTHROP’S NEW DIRECTOR, BEN JOHNSON, AWARDED MICHIGAN’S 2008 SPECIAL RECOGNITION GUVVY AWARD
Minneapolis, MN, November 24, 2008—Ben Johnson, the new director of Northrop Concerts and Lectures was honored Thursday, November 13 as a recipient of Michigan’s 2008 Special Recognition Guvvy Award. The award is sponsored through ArtServe Michigan and was received at the ArtServe Michigan’s 2008 Governor’s Awards for Arts & Culture gala and awards ceremony.
Johnson was recognized for the legacy of excellence and innovation in arts and culture during his tenure at the University Musical Society at the University of Michigan (UMS). He developed the UMS Education and Audience Development program, a pioneering, exemplary arts education program that now offers over 100 education events and serves over 35,000 students, teachers, and residents each year. Innovation and creativity were his program’s driving forces during his time at UMS. His talent for engaging partners across a wide range of arts and educational facilities led to many successful, impactful projects contributing to student and community engagement. He is nationally recognized for his innovative artistic programs, new models of cultural participation, and partnerships with local artists, arts institutions, religious and ethnic communities.
ArtServe Michigan is a statewide arts and cultural advocacy organization located in Wixom, Michigan. The organization focuses its efforts on cultivating the creative potential of Michigan’s arts and cultural sector to enhance the health and well-being of Michigan, its people, and communities. The Guvvy Award recognizes individuals and organizations for their extemporary contributions to the prosperity of Michigan’s rich art and cultural resources.
Johnson, a native of Winona and Leroy, began his appointment as director of Concerts and Lectures at Northrop at the University of Minnesota on August 11, 2008, filling the position held by the late Dale Schatzlein. Johnson’s appointment followed a three-month national search. As director of concerts and lectures, he works with community partners and university departments to develop innovative programs to enhance campus and community engagement with the performing arts, scholarly, and civic discussions. Johnson’s engaged in planning the complete transformation of Northrop to create a dynamic state-of-the-art cultural and academic center that is central to the life of the campus and that serves the people of Minnesota.
Johnson received his Bachelor of Arts in theater arts and mass communication and his Master of Arts in arts administration from St. Mary’s University in Minnesota. As a student, he was a volunteer usher for the Northrop Dance Series, and from 1992 to 1996 he served as an education and programming associate at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.
Next year will mark Northrop’s 80th year as a vital performing arts center at the University of Minnesota. Northrop exposes audiences to a wide variety of artists and culturally diverse performing arts groups—from the established to the emerging, and from the classical to the contemporary. Northrop engages audiences through performance, discussion, and interaction with the artists themselves.
Northrop’s 08|09 season includes eight internationally acclaimed dance companies showcasing the best in contemporary dance, Spanish flamenco, and international ballet; four jazz concerts featuring some of the world’s most important contemporary jazz musicians; and a diverse array of modern performing artists. For more information about these programs contact Northrop at northrop.umn.edu or 612-624-2345.
