Honorary Award – Outstanding Service to the Arts Community - Ruth Brennan

Ruth Brennan’s name is synonymous with cultural affairs in both Rapid City and South Dakota,. If something needs to get done in the arts, Ruth is always there to make it happen.

Ruth grew up in Sioux Falls and received her BA degree in sociology from the University of South Dakota. She and her husband, Jim, settled in Rapid City and raised two sons, Greg and Tim. Her professional career began as a staff arts writer for the Rapid City Journal in 1968. Continuing in journalism part-time, she moved into the first Executive Director position for the Rapid City Arts Council and its Dahl Arts Center in 1975, serving in that capacity for 23 years. Upon her retirement in 1998, the Dahl Arts Center dedicated the Ruth Brennan Gallery in her honor. In Rapid City, she received the Heart of the Arts Award in 2008 and the Rushmore Honors Award in 1995.

Always involved in community service, Ruth has or is serving on nearly 20 boards, commissions or committees in Rapid City, making a difference in areas such as historic preservation, city planning, festivals and cultural infrastructure. Her voice was important in the development of the Rapid City Concert Association and the Rapid City Arts Council. She is currently a board member of the Journey Museum, Black Hills Playhouse and the Black Hills Symphony League.

Ruth Brennan still manages time to skillfully serve arts and culture statewide while accomplishing stunning work at the local level,. She helped to create the Community Arts Network in 1981, served on the South Dakotans for the Arts board of directors and Friends of SD Public Broadcasting board. As a member of the South Dakota Arts Council, she chaired the Council from 1999 to 2004. Currently Ruth divides her statewide expertise and time on the board of directors for the National Music Museum in Vermillion and the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, and continues to coordinate the state’s Dance on Tour Program.

Former South Dakota Arts Council director, Dennis Holub, recently remarked, “When I learned that South Dakota was honored to host the 2002 National Symphony Orchestra’s American Residency tour in five communities, I knew there was only one person who could coordinate the massive project and that person was Ruth Brennan. She did a brilliant job, and it was a huge success. She continues to do brilliant work in the arts for all South Dakotans, and we are extremely grateful.”