Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) recently announced the appointment of Craig T. Peterson as President following a six month national search and a unanimous Board decision. Peterson, who assumes the Presidency of LMCC on October 17, 2022, arrives at a very important moment in time for the organization as it celebrates half a century as a cultural leader in New York City, and embarks on a campaign to advance the mission of The Arts Center at Governors Island, a 40,000 square foot arts space for residency programs, exhibitions, workshops, talks, and more that opened to the public in 2019.
“As a cultural programmer over the last three decades, I have long admired the support that LMCC provides to artists and the innovative cultural programming that it brings to NYC,” said Craig Peterson. “The generosity of LMCC’s programming, not only through its expansive granting efforts but with the free public art festival, River To River, makes LMCC a dynamic and exciting place to continue my career. Perhaps most thrilling is the opportunity to advance the mission of The Arts Center at Governors Island, which has become a beacon of support for artists to create, gather and collaborate in one of NYC’s most unique environments. I believe that artists are the heartbeat of NYC and we must make every effort to increase their ability to innovate and present work, particularly as we emerge from the pandemic. I am excited to bring my skills, experience, and passion to LMCC to help craft a sustainable future for our creative communities.”
About Craig T. Peterson
A dynamic curator, programmer, and producer who has championed artists throughout all career stages and disciplines, Peterson brings over three decades of experience in arts and cultural leadership and advocacy. Peterson joins LMCC from his previous dual role at Henry Street Settlement: Vice President for Visual and Performing Arts and Executive Artistic Director of Abrons Arts Center, a home for contemporary interdisciplinary arts in Manhattan’s vibrant Lower East Side neighborhood. While there, Peterson led programming and advocacy for diverse artist communities at Abrons’ multi-use arts space that housed educational programs, residencies, exhibitions and presentations. Prior to his role at Abrons and Henry Street Settlement, Peterson was Co-Artistic Director of Dance Theater Workshop (DTW, now known as New York Live Arts) and Director of DTW’s Community Development program from 1996-2004; Designer of the Live Arts Brewery (LAB), a program for artistic research and development in the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival (now known as FringeArts); and Director of the Philly Fringe Festival. Peterson also served as Director of Programs at Gibney Dance, where he curated and directed programming for the Dance Center’s dance studios, performance venues, and public art gallery.
Peterson is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program of Columbia University’s School of Business, received a BA in Dance and Theater from Bard College and currently serves on the board of directors for the MAP Fund, Big Dance Theater and Artist Communities Alliance.
About LMCC
LMCC was founded in 1973 as Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, driven by the belief that artists are pillars of resilience and inspiration, and vital to New York City’s cultural life. Originally created to improve the quality of life in Lower Manhattan and the Financial District through free cultural programs in the World Trade Center Plaza, LMCC’s work has grown in programmatic scope, community impact, and capacity to serve artists and communities throughout all of Manhattan and Governors Island as a leader in the areas of Artist Services and Public Programs.
LMCC’s Artist Services provide artists with critical resources to develop their work, including funding, studio space, professional development, and networking opportunities. As a curator and producer, LMCC brings free Public Programs, performances and artistic experiences to hundreds of thousands of audience members annually through the River To River Festival, Downtown NYC’s largest free summer arts festival; Open Studios with LMCC’s artists in residence; and work developed and presented at The Arts Center at Governors Island, the first permanent home for arts and culture on Governors Island and a creative space for engagement and dialogue.
Three exhibitions and installations are currently on view Friday–Sunday through October 30 at The Arts Center at Governors Island, including Amy Khoshbin and Jennifer Khoshbin: Sun Seekers; Elissa Blount-Moorhead and Bradford Young, Back and Song; Simon Benjamin, Pillars; in addition to The Take Care Series of free public programs.
