Dr. Rosemary W. Johnson is executive director of the Alabama Dance Council, a statewide dance service organization working in partnership with the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Johnson has a 19 year history as a presenter, 10 years as a multidisciplinary presenter and 9 years as a dance presenter and producer of the Alabama Dance Festival. She initiated presenting nationally, and internationally, renowned dance companies as guest-artists-in-residence at the Festival, including Donald Byrd/The Group (2002), Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (2003), North Carolina Dance Theatre (2004), Philadanco (2005), Rennie Harris Puremovement (2006), River North Chicago (2007), Bridgman Packer Dance (2008), Complexions Contemporary Ballet (2009), Battleworks Dance Company (2010), and in 2011, the Merce Cunningham Dance Company.

In addition to presenting touring companies, Johnson developed showcase performances for the Festival featuring dance throughout the state, including both professional and pre-professional companies representing a diversity of dance styles and genres. Additionally, Johnson has worked with Alabama presenters to develop two statewide dance tours of contemporary companies: Rennie Harris Puremovement in 2006 and Margi Cole’s The Dance COLEctive in 2008.

Johnson provides technical assistance to both presenters and artists in the areas of grant writing, budgeting, and strategic planning. She has completed training in the Technology of Participation® (or ToP®) group facilitation methods developed by The Institute of Cultural Affairs, and currently serves as the lead consultant/facilitator for the South Arts Dance Touring Initiative, a three-year program offering professional development and block-booking opportunities to dance presenters in the Southeast. She served on a panel and presented information about the Initiative at the 2010 Dance Forum preceding the Association of Performing Arts Presenters’ annual conference in New York City.

Since 2002, Johnson has also served as Managing Director of Southern Danceworks, Alabama’s oldest professional modern dance company. She worked with Artistic Director Teri Weksler in the development of numerous projects involving the creation of new work and cross-disciplinary collaborations, including an installation and site specific performance with choreographer/visual artist Anthony Meyers.

Johnson is an active member of DanceUSA, the National Dance Education Organization, and the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

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