ARTS LEADERSHIP / RUTH HOLMBERG AWARD
The annual Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts in Chattanooga and who are actively engaged in the cultural life of our community—“Arts Builders” who exemplify ArtsBuild’s mission to build stronger communities through the arts as demonstrated by their contributions and leadership in the arts.
Celebrating 20 years of the Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute this year! This program offers behind-the-scenes site visits with arts and educational partners, to gain insight into our arts ecosystem in Hamilton County. We share a meal, explore community arts action, and engage in collective problem-solving and creativity sessions.
Celebrating 20 years of the Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute this year! This program offers behind-the-scenes site visits with arts and educational partners, to gain insight into our arts ecosystem in Hamilton County. We share a meal, explore community arts action, and engage in collective problem-solving and creativity sessions.
Celebrating 20 years of the Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute this year! This program offers behind-the-scenes site visits with arts and educational partners, to gain insight into our arts ecosystem in Hamilton County. We share a meal, explore community arts action, and engage in collective problem-solving and creativity sessions.
2025 AWARD RECIPIENTS
JOHN BEDER
FRANCES MCDONALD
Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award
ArtsBuild is pleased to recognize the recipients of the 2025 Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award—John Beder and Frances McDonald.
The annual Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts in Chattanooga and who are actively engaged in the cultural life of our community—“Arts Builders” who exemplify ArtsBuild’s mission to build a stronger community through the arts as demonstrated by their significant contributions to the arts and their leadership.
The first Arts Leadership Award in 2014 recognized Ruth Holmberg for her extraordinary support of the arts and cultural community in Chattanooga over 70 years. Since 2014, the annual award has honored Mrs. Holmberg with her name. Past recipients include Mai Bell Hurley, Fletcher Bright, Sonia Young, Booker T. Scruggs II, Alice L. Smith, Warren Barnett, Candy Kruesi, Ann Law, Mitch Patel, Hacker & Kitty Caldwell, Charlie & Iantha Newton, Dr. Roland Carter, Vincent Oakes, Peggy Wood Townsend, Stan Townsend, Cam Busch, Rita Lorraine Hubbard, Olan & Norma Mills, and Anna Baker VanCura.
ArtsBuild is pleased to recognize the recipients of the 2024 Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award – Cam Busch, Rita Lorraine Hubbard, Olan & Norma Mills, and Anna Baker Van Cura.
The annual Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts in Chattanooga and who are actively engaged in the cultural life of our community— “Arts Builders” who exemplify ArtsBuild’s mission to build a stronger community through the arts as demonstrated by their significant contributions to the arts and their leadership.
The first Arts Leadership Award in 2014 recognized Ruth Holmberg for her extraordinary support of the arts and cultural community in Chattanooga over 70 years. Since 2014, the annual award has honored Mrs. Holmberg with her name. Past recipients include Mai Bell Hurley, Fletcher Bright, Sonia Young, Booker T. Scruggs II, Alice L. Smith, Warren Barnett, Candy Kruesi, Ann Law, Mitch Patel, Hacker & Kitty Caldwell, Charlie & Iantha Newton, Dr. Roland Carter, Vincent Oakes, Peggy Wood Townsend, and Stan Townsend.
ArtsBuild is pleased to recognize the recipients of the 2024 Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award – Cam Busch, Rita Lorraine Hubbard, Olan & Norma Mills, and Anna Baker Van Cura.
The annual Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts in Chattanooga and who are actively engaged in the cultural life of our community— “Arts Builders” who exemplify ArtsBuild’s mission to build a stronger community through the arts as demonstrated by their significant contributions to the arts and their leadership.
The first Arts Leadership Award in 2014 recognized Ruth Holmberg for her extraordinary support of the arts and cultural community in Chattanooga over 70 years. Since 2014, the annual award has honored Mrs. Holmberg with her name. Past recipients include Mai Bell Hurley, Fletcher Bright, Sonia Young, Booker T. Scruggs II, Alice L. Smith, Warren Barnett, Candy Kruesi, Ann Law, Mitch Patel, Hacker & Kitty Caldwell, Charlie & Iantha Newton, Dr. Roland Carter, Vincent Oakes, Peggy Wood Townsend, and Stan Townsend.
ArtsBuild is pleased to recognize the recipients of the 2024 Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award – Cam Busch, Rita Lorraine Hubbard, Olan & Norma Mills, and Anna Baker Van Cura.
The annual Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts in Chattanooga and who are actively engaged in the cultural life of our community— “Arts Builders” who exemplify ArtsBuild’s mission to build a stronger community through the arts as demonstrated by their significant contributions to the arts and their leadership.
The first Arts Leadership Award in 2014 recognized Ruth Holmberg for her extraordinary support of the arts and cultural community in Chattanooga over 70 years. Since 2014, the annual award has honored Mrs. Holmberg with her name. Past recipients include Mai Bell Hurley, Fletcher Bright, Sonia Young, Booker T. Scruggs II, Alice L. Smith, Warren Barnett, Candy Kruesi, Ann Law, Mitch Patel, Hacker & Kitty Caldwell, Charlie & Iantha Newton, Dr. Roland Carter, Vincent Oakes, Peggy Wood Townsend, and Stan Townsend.
CELEBRATE ARTS LEADERSHIP
CELEBRATE ARTS LEADERSHIP
CELEBRATE ARTS LEADERSHIP
CELEBRATE ARTS LEADERSHIP
CELEBRATE ARTS LEADERSHIP
The 2025 Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award recipients were honored at a special awards reception hosted by ArtsBuild in early December, exclusively sponsored by EPB.
A MESSAGE FROM CHATTANOOGA MAYOR TIM KELLY
“The arts are powerful tools for change, and both Frances and John embody Ruth Holmberg’s spirit by using creativity to empower and uplift our community.”
DR. QUINCY JENKINS / BOARD CHAIR OF ARTSBUILD
RUTH HOLMBERG
1921–2017
PAST HONOREES
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