Ganusson was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1947. He studied art at the University of Michigan and the Cranbrook Academy of Art. After graduating, he worked as a professional artist for several years. In 1980, he became the director of the Art Gallery of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. He held this position until 1986, when he became the director of the San Jose Museum of Art in San Jose, California.
In 1998, President Bill Clinton appointed Ganusson to be the director of the NEA. He served in this role until 2001. During his tenure at the NEA, he oversaw the distribution of over $100 million in grants to arts organizations across the United States. He also launched several initiatives to promote the arts, including the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship Program and the Mayors' Institute on City Design.
After leaving the NEA, Ganusson became the president and CEO of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. He held this position from 2002 to 2009. During his tenure at the Kennedy Center, he oversaw the completion of a $250 million renovation project and the creation of several new programs, including the National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Festival and the REACH Initiative, a new educational and arts engagement program.
Since leaving the Kennedy Center, Ganusson has continued to work as an arts administrator and consultant. He has also served on the boards of several arts organizations, including the Americans for the Arts, the National Center for the Performing Arts, and the National Museum of American History.
Ganusson is a widely respected figure in the arts community. He is known for his commitment to the arts and his ability to build partnerships between the public and private sectors. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor that the United States government can bestow upon artists and patrons of the arts.