CI to Eye with Monica Holt LIVE: Deborah F. Rutter on Leading Through Disruption and Designing for Resilience
Nov 13, 2025
Deborah F. Rutter, a seasoned arts leader and former President of the Kennedy Center, shares her insights on leading through disruption. She reflects on her early musical journey and how arts administration became her passion. Rutter explores the balance of aesthetic curiosity and data-driven decisions in programming, and the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. She discusses her transition to Duke University, her proudest moments at the Kennedy Center, and calls on arts organizations to remain resilient in storytelling and support for artists.
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Third-Grade Violin Moment
- Deborah Rutter traced her career to a third-grade moment when she was assigned the violin in public school and fell in love with music.
- That early choice shaped her education, jobs, and led to her first role at the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
See A Lot To Build Taste
- To build taste and evaluate quality, see a wide range of performances across genres and venues.
- Deborah Rutter advises immersion: consume broadly to develop informed artistic judgment.
Balance Risky And Reliable Programming
- Balance adventurous programming with financially strong events to sustain mission-driven risks.
- Use data and financial analysis alongside aesthetic judgment to plan season-long balance.
