Cultural Organization Management: Leading Through Change

Brett Egan leads the Institute’s team of consultants and educators, working on projects across six continents to support arts organizations and executives with strategic planning, marketing, community engagement, human resource development, and fundraising. In the U.S., he manages multiyear capacity-building initiatives funded by the Ford Foundation, collaborating with community-based organizations from Ajo, Arizona, to Miami, and overseeing a two-year partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies to train 261 organizations in major cities. His efforts extend internationally, where he has facilitated groundbreaking training programs in countries like Ireland, Croatia, and Vietnam, partnering with local arts leaders and governments. Egan's consultancy work includes long-term strategic planning and serving as interim director for various clients. Notably, he was the Interim CEO of the Royal Opera House Muscat, leading the institution through its inaugural season, which featured renowned performers and achieved 92% average attendance. With experience as Executive Director of Shen Wei Dance Arts and various other cultural organizations, Egan co-authored The Cycle: A Practical Approach to Managing Arts Organizations and frequently speaks at conferences on audience engagement and the influence of new media in arts management. A magna cum laude graduate of Harvard University with a degree in Cultural and Performance Theory, he holds the Antarctic Service Medal and a Princess Grace Fellowship. Egan is a trained actor and theater director and is passionate about classical piano. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Joan.