Anne Lefter named executive director of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center
Anne Lefter named executive director of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa is pleased to welcome Anne Lefter as the new executive director of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Lefter brings more than two decades of leadership experience in performing arts administration, venue management and community-engaged programming.
Lefter currently serves as the inaugural director of the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts at Western Illinois University, where she has led the strategic planning, operational launch and artistic vision of a new 100,000-square-foot, $119 million facility.
Prior to that, Lefter spent 22 years at the Community College of Baltimore County as Director of the Arts, where she provided executive leadership for multiple performing arts venues across three campuses.
“Anne is a dynamic and visionary leader whose experience aligns well with the mission of the Gallagher Bluedorn,” said Mary Black, dean of the UNI College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences. “Her proven ability to connect artists, students and communities, along with her expertise in managing large-scale performing arts centers, will strengthen the GBPAC’s role as a vibrant cultural destination for our campus and the region.”
Lefter holds a PhD in Theatre Studies from Cornell University and a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts and English Literature from the University of Minnesota, Morris.
Lefter will begin her duties on July 1. Her appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center as it continues to serve as a premier venue for performances, educational opportunities and community engagement in the Cedar Valley.
“The Gallagher Bluedorn is a treasure, and I’m honored to be joining this impactful institution at such a transformational moment,” Lefter said.
For more information on the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, visit gbpac.com.
