Susannah Johanssen

Executive Director

Louisiana Division of the Arts

Susannah Johanssen is the Executive Director for the Louisiana Division of the Arts. She took over this role in April, 2021. She has more than 20 years of experience managing projects and teams in strategic planning, community development, and federal grant management. In her most recent role with Louisiana Main Street, she worked with 49 Certified Local Government communities and 35 Main Street communities across Louisiana to strengthen business development, combat blight and urge revitalization through historic preservation. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Johannsen studied Art History at Randolph-Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, Virginia and she holds master's degrees in landscape architecture and business administration from Louisiana State University (LSU). Johannsen serves on several area boards and commissions, including the LSU Museum of Art Advisory Board, Baton Rouge Gallery, Big River Economic & Agricultural Development Alliance, and the Louisiana Folklife Commission.