Amy Ryan

About Amy Ryan

Experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in nonprofit management, development, historic renovation, and social entrepreneurship, with a focus on social welfare and economic impact within an urban community.

Experience

1. Founding Executive Director

   Benson Theatre Omaha

   Apr 2012 — Present

   As a 501(c) public charity, Benson Theatre’s mission is to engage, enhance and enrich the community through educational and artistic experiences. Located at 6054 Maple Street, renovations on the organization’s historic 1923 facility were completed in 2021, and the new Benson Theatre opened to the public in early 2022. Within all our work, we strive to be an inclusive, accessible space that is welcoming to everyone in our community. This strategic intention is reflected in our facility renovations, range of program offerings, diverse community partners, and focus on financial accessibility. We are proud to be fostering an organizational model that allows us to collaborate widely and support our community partners, offering them an affordable space with technical expertise and artistic resources in which they can share their mission work with Benson, North Omaha, and the broader Omaha community. What We DoServe as a Community Resource & Shared Space: After 1.5 years of operations, we have discovered that the greatest gap we can fill as a community-centered organization is the need for an affordable, accessible space with artistic technology and expertise. Available to nonprofits, artists, and small businesses, Benson Theatre invites community partners to bring programming to the Benson neighborhood that the community may not otherwise have access to.Offer Collaborative Artistic and Educational Programming: Collaborative programming includes a broad scope of unique community partnerships between Benson Theatre and local nonprofits, artists, and businesses. These partnerships seek to increase the artistic and educational experiences offered within the Benson community.Provide a First-Class Rental Space for Private Events and Fundraisers.Benson Theatre can accommodate up to 165 guests; we host all performing arts, film, workshops, and have a catering facility for use.

Education

• University of Nebraska at Omaha

  Graduate Studies

  1994 — 1996

• University of Missouri-Columbia

  English/Journalism, B.A., Minor in Classical Latin and African-American Studies

  1988 — 1992