Gary P. Steuer

Gary Steuer joined the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation as President and CEO in 2013. Since that time, he has led the foundation’s transformational efforts to deepen its investments in arts, culture and leadership, as well as a heightened focus on bringing an equity lens to everything the foundation does. This has led to a dramatic increase in the foundation’s investment in communities of color and other historically marginalized communities, as well as a deepening utilization of impact investing to ensure the foundation’s assets are deployed in a mission-aligned way.

Prior to joining BSF, Gary served as the Chief Cultural Officer and Director of the Office of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy for the City of Philadelphia. He also served as Vice President of Private-Sector Affairs and Executive Director, Arts & Business Council for Americans for the Arts in New York. Gary also spent 12 years as President and CEO and Director of New York Programs for Arts and Business Council Inc. in New York, prior to its merger with Americans for the Arts.

Before his stint at the Arts and Business Council, Gary spent significant time in the theatre and cultural industry holding Director positions at National Actors Theatre, New York State Council on the Arts and Vineyard Theatre. He holds a Bachelors of Arts from New York University, where he also completed studies for a Masters of Arts in Performing Arts Management, as well as studying at the Stern School of Business.

Gary has been a regular writer and speaker on topics such as cultural policy, philanthropy, creative economy, arts management, equity and impact investing. He has served on many local and national boards, including Grantmakers in the Arts, Philanthropy Colorado (which he chaired), Clyfford Still Museum, Alliance for Nonprofit Management, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.  

Gary grew up in New York City, going to public School, including Music & Art High School which is now part of the LaGuardia High School for the Arts. He played basketball, was an avid cyclist, and deeply absorbed the diversity and cultural riches of New York. After growing up as one of five sons, he has been delighted to be the proud father of three daughters, as well as grandfather to three girls, and is lucky to have a wonderful wife who puts up with him.

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