Gary Peterson Papers

Gary Peterson is a Minneapolis dancer, arts administrator and former KFAI radio host of the GLBT program Fresh Fruit. He was born Janurary 12, 1952 in Minneapolis, MN. Peterson grew up and went to school in Minnesota, eventually attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Here, he gained his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Child Psychology in 1983. Throughout the 1970's, Gary Peterson became involved in political campaigns of Minnesota, even running for Minneapolis City Council in 1977. From 1978-1981, he served as delegate to the 61st Senatorial District DFL Party. Peterson became very involved in the community serving with organizations such as Lutherans Concerned for Gays and Lesbians, Task Force on Human Sexuality, The Men's Center, Fresh Air Inc. on KFAI Radio, CREATE Inc., Stevens Square/Loring Heights Neighborhood, Dance/USA, Mike Steele Fellowship: Innovations In Performing Arts Criticism and Mike Steel Arts Criticism Scholarship fund, MN State Arts Board, MN Shubert Performing Arts Center, The Performance Lab/Dance Partners, and the Jerome Foundation. From 1973 to 1986, Peterson worked as a Legal Assistant, Office Manager, Computer Systems Manager, then a Billing Clerk at Chesnut and Brooks Law Office. In August 1986 Peterson joined Zenon Dance Company and School as Managing Director. From here, he became the Managing Director at Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre. Later, Peterson began working as a publisher and writer for The Surveyor, a Minneapolis Newspaper. Since 1995, Gary Peterson has served as Executive Director with the James Sewell Ballet.