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.  As external relations director, Thompson is responsible for developing and executing all individual, corporate, foundation, major gift, and sponsorship fundraising initiatives as well as building strategic relationships and positioning Northrop within the University and greater community.

Thompson is currently creating a series of new development programs, including Friends of Northrop (annual giving), The Northrop Performance Experience (donor/patron engagement), Northrop NEXT (up and coming arts patrons), and an Advisory Board (community leaders) that will launch as part of the 2010-2011 performance season.

 From 2004-2009, Thompson worked for Artspace Projects to aid in the effort of creating the Minnesota Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center. This new, three-building performing arts center in the heart of downtown Minneapolis will be a flagship for dance, home to more than 30 Minnesota arts organizations, and will serve as a statewide arts education resource when it opens in fall of 2011.

As associate director, Thompson worked on all aspects of developing the Minnesota Shubert Center, including building and leading: the annual fundraising program; the national award-winning Arts Education and Technology Program; all marketing/PR efforts; and special event design/production.  Under her leadership, annual fundraising doubled, the arts education program grew by 80%, and the Engaging Dance Audiences initiative of Dance/USA granted the Shubert $163,000 to create a consortium of local dance companies working to transform the dance community through collaborative audience engagement.

Prior to joining the Minnesota Shubert Center, Thompson worked in the development office of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis leading telefundraising staff to exceed their $500,000 goal as part of the Guthrie’s annual fundraising efforts.

In addition, Thompson is also board president of Twin Cities’ modern dance company, ARENA Dances; chair of ARENA Dances annual gala; member of the Dance/USA Emerging Leaders in Dance Task Force; member of the Leadership Twin Cities Steering Committee; member of the 2007-2008 class of Leadership Twin Cities; and member of the 2009 Emerging Leadership Institute class of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

A graduate of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, Thompson received a B.A. in English with a Writing Emphasis and Justice and Peace Studies.

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