Brandon Gryde joined Duke Arts in July 2026 in a new role to lead the planning and execution of strategic special projects of the Vice Provost for the Arts and support Duke Arts’ operational needs.

Brandon most recently served as Discipline Director at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), leading federal funding efforts for the fields of presenting, artist communities, and Challenge America. He also served as Senior Director of Multidisciplinary Arts and Equity, a management role in support of the agency’s strategic priorities. Prior to the NEA, he led the federal advocacy efforts for Dance/USA and OPERA America; and in 2016, he developed the inaugural role of diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for OPERA America, creating opportunities for staff training on a range of racial and social justice issues and supporting public platforms for discussion and learning throughout the field.

Brandon began his career at a community arts organization in Harrisburg, PA, developing arts-based workforce development programs for central PA youth and he worked on national programs that engaged young people in service to community. He was born and raised in Los Angeles. Brandon has a BA in Ethnomusicology (Jazz Studies emphasis) and American Literature and Culture from UCLA and an MA in American Studies from Penn State.