The Glenn Gould Foundation Remembers Peter Herrndorf
February 20, 2023
Peter Herrndorf, CC, OOnt (27 October 1940 – 18 February 2023)
The GGF is saddened to learn of the recent death of Peter Herrndorf, one of Canada’s most enlightened cultural leaders.
Peter held many of the top jobs, board positions, and consultancy assignments throughout the Canadian cultural landscape, making his most visible and enduring contribution to this country as visionary leader of the National Arts Centre.
After degrees from University of Manitoba, Dalhousie University, and the Harvard Business School, Peter joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1965. Among his various achievements at the CBC was helping to create the nightly public affairs program The National.
Later he was the publisher of Toronto Life, and then chairman and CEO of TVOntario, where he turned a rather staid educational station into a vibrant public broadcaster, and inaugurated various shows, including The Agenda with Steve Paikin.
As the president and CEO of the National Arts Center for 19 years, until he retired in 2018, Peter was responsible for strengthening its standing, influence, and reach.
Among his many achievements at the NAC was establishing the NAC Indigenous Theatre, founding the National Creation Fund, reinvigorated the NAC Orchestra, creating NAC Presents, and co-creating the Governor General Performing Arts Awards.
He advised the GGF generously on a number of occasions and welcomed us to the stage of the National Arts Centre for our celebration of Philip Glass being awarded the Glenn Gould Prize in 2016. Thanks to Peter, both the National Arts Centre and the National Arts Center Orchestra were partners with us for our Glenn Gould Prize award concert for Philip Glass, an event hosted by pop legend Petula Clark and featuring a program of Glass’s music, conducted by Dennis Russell Davies. The Glenn Gould Foundation will always remember this extraordinary event, which led to a major commission for Philip Glass by the National Arts Centre Orchestra.
In 2002 The Globe and Mail selected him as one of Canada’s 50 “nation builders.”
Peter truly transformed and enlivened many of the country’s cultural institutions, and for that all Canadians are both thankful and appreciative. We remember Peter and his multitudinous influences – especially his desires to continuously champion Canadian culture in many forms – fondly, and with similar dreams: to always articulate, expand, and share our rich cultural heritage
