David O’Fallon to head Minnesota Humanities Commission

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David O'Fallon

David O'Fallon, CEO of MacPhail Center for Music, has accepted the position of President of the Minnesota Humanities Center, beginning November 1.

O'Fallon is a Minnesota native with a distinguished career in the arts, from creating several arts leadership programs for the University of Minnesota, to serving as director of arts education for the National Endowment for the Arts, to his role as staff director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

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O'Fallon returned to Minnesota in 1995 to head the Perpich Center, then joined the MacPhail Center for Music in 2002. Under his leadership the student enrollment more than doubled in seven years, the center entered into several community partnerships and satellite teaching centers, and added a music therapy program. It also moved into a brand new building.

O'Fallon fills the position previously held by Dr. Stanley Romanstein, who joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as president and CEO in May after serving nine years as president of the Minnesota Humanities Center.

The MHC works directly with teachers, schools and communities statewide to create more engaging and meaningful learning experiences for all students. It also works with schools to make sure the curriculum connects with students from a variety of cultures, ethnicities and experiences.

MacPhail's directors are in the process of determining a succession plan; O'Fallon will remain with MacPhail through the end of October.