Peter Pastreich Joins A.C.T. as Interim Executive Director

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By Publications Staff

Interim Executive Director Peter Pastreich. Photo by Jamie Whittington.

Summer at A.C.T. has been busy, with back offices and backstages buzzing with preparations for our amazing 50th-anniversary season. As we raise the Geary curtain for the first show of the 2016–17 season, we’d like to welcome our new interim executive director, Peter Pastreich.

“I have known Peter since I arrived in San Francisco over twenty years ago,” says A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff. “I have always been inspired by his leadership, his kindness, and his immense wisdom about artists and arts management. It is with enormous pleasure and gratitude that we join forces with him at this moment in A.C.T.’s history, to help us celebrate our 50th-anniversary year, to guide us forward in all our aspirations, and ultimately to help us complete a successful hire of a permanent executive director.”

“The A.C.T. Board of Trustees is extremely fortunate to have Peter’s wisdom and expertise during our search for a permanent executive director,” says board chair Nancy Livingston. “His accomplishments, distinguished reputation, and deep understanding of the arts community will propel us into our 50th-anniversary season.”

Pastreich brings with him 50 years’ experience of managing arts organizations, notably the San Francisco Symphony, where he was executive director for 21 years. “I am honored that A.C.T. has entrusted me with the responsibility of being its interim executive director,” says Pastreich, “I very much look forward to working with Carey Perloff and A.C.T.’s effective and committed Board of Trustees and staff.”

Across orchestras and symphonies from Louisville to London, Pastreich has taken the lead on management consultancy, theater renovation, endowment founding, mediation for union negotiations, and training the next generation of arts leaders. During his tenure at SF Symphony, the organization raised its budget from $6 million to $40 million and expanded its endowment from $12 million to $120 million. We are fortunate to have his expertise and experience as we look forward to our own historic season. Welcome, Peter!

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