Sarah Thompson joined Northrop Concerts and Lectures—the University of Minnesota’s arts presenter—in November 2009 to lead the creation of Northrop’s first advancement program and support the university-wide fundraising effort for Northrop’s $90 million revitalization campaign.

Previously, Thompson worked for six years with Artspace Projects to develop and fundraise for the $42 million Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts (formerly the Minnesota Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center), which opened in fall 2011. As Associate Director, Thompson led the development of the Center’s national award-winning arts education technology program as well as secured first-round funding from the Engaging Dance Audiences initiative of Dance/USA. Prior to Artspace, Thompson worked in the development offices of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. In addition, Thompson is also Board Chair of Twin Cities’ modern dance company, ARENA Dances; was a member of the 2009 Emerging Leadership Institute of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters; and a member of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters’ first Leadership Development Institute cohort.

Thompson received a BA in English and Justice and Peace Studies from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.

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