state arts action network

Council

2005–2006 Roster

Nola Ruth

Nola Ruth has served as executive director of Missouri Association of Community Arts Agencies (MACAA) for 15 years. During that time, MACAA has successfully developed and implemented a number of projects targeted for rural and small arts agency development, including board development, planning, and technology development. Prior to her position with MACAA, Nola was founding president of the Arts Resources Council, which became the Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Columbia. Her career in arts administration began as general manager of KOPN, a unique community radio station in Columbia, MO. The station attained a national reputation for the quality of its programs, which included simultaneous grants from the NEA in literature, media, and music.  The large number of volunteers and full spectrum of revenue sources proved to be an excellent training ground for local agency development. In addition to her work with MACAA, Nola served eight years as a board member of the state arts advocacy organization with two terms as regional vice-president. On the national level, she has served as NALAA Statewide Assembly Interest Area chair, on the Leadership Team, and as president of the National Community Arts Network. She currently serves on the Prairie Arts Management Institute Planning Committee and the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education advisory board, and is a member of the Arts Education Collaborative and the Americans for the Arts State Arts Action Council.