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Northrop Announces New Director of Concerts and Lectures at the University of Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL ( 6/30/2008 ) -- Northrop has announced the appointment of Benjamin M. Johnson as director of concerts and lectures at the University of Minnesota. Johnson's appointment begins August 11, filling the position held by the late Dale Schatzlein. Johnson's appointment follows a three-month national search.

"Mr. Johnson is a creative and visionary leader who will build upon Northrop's 80-year legacy," said Steven Rosenstone, University of Minnesota vice president for scholarly and cultural affairs. "As director of concerts and lectures, he will work with community partners and university departments to develop innovative programs that will enhance campus and community engagement with the performing arts, scholarly, and civic discussions. Planning for the complete renovation of Northrop remains on schedule and he will ensure the vitality and excellence of Northrop's programs as the University transforms the facility 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, a native of Winona and LeRoy, returns to Minnesota after 14 years as director of education and audience development at the University Musical Society at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. As a member of the UMS senior management team, Johnson provided vision and strategic direction to the Music Society's season of over 70 performances a year. He also planned and coordinated over 150 UMS educational events and collaborations with academic departments, public schools and community organizations. Johnson has broad expertise in dance, theater, jazz, world music and contemporary performance and has built strong alliances with the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. 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.

"I am thrilled for Ben, for the University of Minnesota and for the greater Twin Cities area," said Ken Fischer, president of the University Musical Society at the University of Michigan. "Ben has had an enormous impact on UMS, the University of Michigan and the greater southeast Michigan community during his tenure here. I am confident that his vision, talent, hard work and love of people will bring transformative results of at least the same magnitude as we've seen here in Michigan. What a treasure he has been for us."

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 of 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 2008-2009 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.

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