Halsey Miller North , 75, passed away from lung disease on September 17, 2022 at Riddle Village in Media, PA, where he and his wife and professional partner for fifty years Alice Henderson North had lived for the past three years.

Previously of New York City, Halsey was the first person in the United States to receive an MBA in performing arts management (from Rollins College, Winter Park, FL). Halsey also earned a BA in economics (1970, Earlham College, Richmond, IN) and was a graduate of Chestnut Hill Academy (1966, Philadelphia, PA).

He was an early advocate of employing the arts to strengthen community economic development and cultural equity. In 1987, Halsey and Alice co-founded The North Group Inc. As a team, they provided fundraising, strategic planning, and board development counsel for over 200 nonprofit arts organizations across the United States. Notable relationships include multi-year engagements with the National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, DC; Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului, HI; Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, Vienna, VA; Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, AR; Great Lakes Theater/Hanna Theatre project, Cleveland, OH; Proctors, Schenectady, NY; Clemens Center, Elmira, NY; Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI; Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA; Tampa Theatre, Tampa, FL; and Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Halsey and Alice were pioneering collectors and advocates of contemporary Japanese ceramics. They co-authored two books — Listening to Clay: Conversations with Contemporary Japanese Ceramic Artists (New York: Monacelli Press, 2022) and Contemporary Clay: Japanese Ceramics for the New Century (Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 2005). They donated works from their ceramics collection to major museums, primarily The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where their works have been on view since 2013. Pieces from their collection are included in the exhibition Perfect Imperfection in Ceramic Art at The Met from April 2022. The Met also houses the database, archives, and library for their collection, all of which is available for research.

The League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT) has stated Halsey was a guiding influence for cultural organizations throughout the United States. His knowledge and expertise of fundraising tools and techniques has been widely acknowledged by academics, arts providers, and fundraising professionals as respected, exemplary, and effective. With Alice, he has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in ways that made each organization more creative, capable, and sustainable.

Over the years, Halsey has been honored with many awards, starting in 1988 with the APAP (Association of Performing Arts Professionals) Fan Taylor Award "for outstanding service, creative thinking, leadership, and significant impact on the profession of presenting the performing arts." In 2013, APAP honored the couple as the first recipients of the Halsey & Alice North Board Alumni Award , since presented annually. They were honored with Lifetime Memberships in APAP and the League of Historic American Theatres in recognition for their years of service as board members, teachers, and volunteers.

For 45 years, Halsey and Alice taught fundraising at conferences across the United States, primarily for the League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT), Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), and Americans for the Arts. He championed the phrases "Passion bends reality," to remind nonprofits about the virtue of their work; "Never be in a hurry for the wrong answer," to encourage patience and planning; and "If you want money, ask for advice," to emphasize the need to develop people's emotional connection to the nonprofit organization before asking them for money.

Prior to heading The North Group Inc., Halsey served as Executive Director of New York City's Cultural Council Foundation, Director of Corporate Contributions at Philip Morris Companies, Executive Director of the Charlotte Arts & Science Council and, simultaneously, creator and first Executive Director of Charlotte's Spirit Square Cultural Center —an anchor for the revitalization of Charlotte's downtown, Executive Director of the North Carolina Arts Council, and Managing Producer of the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem.

In addition to his wife, Halsey is survived by his brother William M. North, Jr. and his wife Mary D. North; his brother Edwin M. North and his wife Linda M. North; his nephew and nieces Andrew R. North and his wife Wendy L. North, Julia N. Boerth and her husband Thomas J. Boerth, Barbara C. North and her husband Justin Quimby, and Sandra E. North and her wife Angela Letizia; and his great nephews and nieces Peter M. Boerth, Erich M. Boerth, Caroline M. Boerth, Charlotte R. North, and Carolyn E. North.

A celebration of Halsey's life will take place at the Towne Hall at Riddle Village Lifecare Retirement Community, Media, PA. The service, officiated by Halsey's brother, the Reverend William M. North, Jr., will begin at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 15, 2022 with light refreshments immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, tributes in the form of memorial gifts to the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT), or The Riddle Village Endowment Fund (1048 W. Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063) would be appreciated.

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Photos: Halsey and Alice North with their collection of contemporary Japanese ceramics — at home, 2003 (left) and at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, 2012 (right).

Tributes to Halsey North :

Mikki Shepard, Former Executive Producer, Apollo Theater Foundation in New York City : "All along your journey, APAP's board and members have been the beneficiary of your expertise, knowledge, creativity and generosity. The creation of the Halsey and Alice North Award for Committed Excellence and Service to the Field provided the opportunity for colleagues to honor each other. It meant more than you know that I was honored to be the first recipient of this award. Your annual APAP Board Alumni dinners provided the social setting for many newbies to meet and cultivate a relationship with those who came before us. I respect your commitment to the field in everything you did — socially and professionally. Your support as consultants to the many organizations/members across the United States speaks to the proven impact your knowledge and expertise had among many, many members. You both were quite a team — complementing each other in everything. Thank you, Halsey, for just being you, which says a hell of a lot! You made a difference." (Monday, March 7, 2022)

Kelley Shanley, President & CEO of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, FL : "I wanted to be sure, Halsey, you know that everything I know about fundraising came from you. I also hope you and Alice together are looking at all the theaters across the country that are successful and healthy the way they are because of your influence — because I know this is one of them. We would not be doing what we're doing and having the crazy success we had without you guys helping us to make all of that happen." (Friday, March 11, 2022)

John Bell, President & CEO of Tampa Theatre, Tampa, FL : "There are no words that can adequately convey how much you have meant to me, and to so many others. Your friendship, advice and help have been transformational. As you go through these difficult days, remember you are not alone, as you will remain in the hearts of all you have touched and inspired. I wanted you to know how thankful I am for our relationship. Few people have taught me more about work and life than the two of you, and I will keep you in my thoughts in the difficult days ahead. Attached is a tribute our Tampa Theatre family created in honor of you, Halsey. We named a star in the Tampa Theatre night sky and will take comfort in your constant presence as our 'North Star.' Big, big hugs." (Tuesday, March 8, 2022)

Beth Gilligan, Deputy Director, Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation in Brookline, MA : "Halsey, please know how much we treasured working with Alice and you on the capital campaign — there would be no shovels in the ground without your wonderful insights and guidance. I often find myself quoting your line that "all fundraising is organized gossip" — so very true! The impact that the both of you have had on the arts and culture in this country is truly incalculable — you have been tireless advocates for historic theatres and have helped foster the growth and vitality of countless arts organizations. You have also been really lovely to work with! I hope you are both comforted thinking of the wonderful impact you have had on so many organizations (and the people who work there!)." (Tuesday, March 8, 2022)

Chas Landreth '66, Halsey's friend and classmate at Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, PA : "Halsey is an educated, gracious, accomplished business man, and humble giant. I am a better man having known Halsey North." (Wednesday, March 16, 2022)

Dana Ivey, actor, friend, and neighbor in New York City : "Halsey, you have left a legacy of love in the world." (Sunday, March 20, 2022).

Richard Royle, Halsey's Godchild , age 24: I think the most impactful gift was the warm presence you provided to all our family gatherings. Your personality has always been akin to an unwavering campfire on a cold night. As I'm getting older I've found myself wanting to emulate your presence in whatever room I enter.  Because of you, I will always love art. I find myself reading art books and getting lost in art museums. I know I have you to blame for this as you always took me and my brother to countless plays and museums. Your love of Alice has always been wonderful in my eyes. When you look at her, the years you've spent together and the bond you share become apparent. Our lives are full of uncertainty and you've found the one certain and true source of happiness in yours. I one day hope to find somebody to look at the same way you gaze at her. (Tuesday, March 22, 2022)

Cyndy Altman - Such a loss. A wonderful  person. I am so lucky to have crossed paths with Halsey and Alice, and so glad that Halsey was able to witness the publication of Listening to Clay, such an important contribution to the field of contemporary Japanese ceramics.

Miyako Yoshinaga and Jeff Haddow - So sorry to hear this. Miyako and I send deepest condolences to Alice. I remember Halsey wearing an apron cooked delicious food for a big group and I was lucky enough to be part of that communion, lots of love surrounding art. Please send Alice our deepest sympathy and love.

Stephanie Wada - I'm so sorry to hear this; he was a kind and gentle person as well as an important collector.

Mina Brenneman - I'm so very sorry to read this news about Halsey. This is such a terrible and significant personal and communal loss. Halsey was so incredibly kind and generous to me. He leaves a tremendous, lasting legacy. My deepest condolences to Alice and the family.

Betsy Feinberg - So sorry to read this. Alice and Halsey were so enthusiastic about Japanese ceramics, avid collectors, kind and open to sharing their love and passion about this medium. Halsey will be missed. Bob and I send our condolences to Alice.

Andrew Maske - Oh, so very sorry to learn of Halsey's passing! As Joan Mirviss' tribute states, he was such a wonderful person and important collector and supporter of the arts. The community of Japanese ceramic lovers in particular has lost one of its most significant advocates.

Robert Yellin - Farewell to a true pioneer, thanks Halsey and Alice for bringing Japanese ceramics to a wider audience, so many here in Japan thank you immensely. R.I.P.

Carol Horvitz - The world has lost a great man, he will be missed. Heartfelt condolences to Alice his family and all his friends. May his memory be a blessing.

Katsumata Chieko - J'adresse toutes mes condoléances à Mme North et je tiens à lui dire toute ma reconnaissance.

Patricia Graham - This is such sad news. Halsey was such a kind, knowledgeable, and gracious person. Feel lucky to have known him. Alice, I am so sorry.

Robert Yellin - Farewell to a true pioneer, thanks Halsey and Alice for bringing Japanese ceramics to a wider audience, so many here in Japan thank you immensely. R.I.P.

Betsy Feinberg - So sorry to read this. Alice and Halsey were so enthusiastic about Japanese ceramics, avid collectors, kind and open to sharing their love and passion about this medium. Halsey will be missed. Bob and I send our condolences to Alice.