COLUMBUS, Ohio—The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) announced today that after serving the Arts Council for nine years, Grants & Services Director Ruby Lopez Harper will be relocating to Washington, DC to join the Americans for the Arts as the new director of local arts services, starting Jan. 11.
Harper will serve as the primary expert and partner to the 4,800 local arts agencies and other local-level arts and cultural service organizations in the United States. She will be responsible for shepherding an ambitious 10-year vision for increasing the relevance of arts and culture in American communities, working in conjunction with team members and the rest of Americans for the Arts.
“It’s wonderful to welcome Ruby to the Americans for the Arts staff team” says Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “Ruby’s long association with Americans for the Arts, including her time as a member of the Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Advisory Council, as well as her stellar work in Columbus and beyond, will no doubt be a great benefit to the organization, to our members, and to the national arts and culture field.”
At the Arts Council, Harper focused on grantmaking, community development, economic development and tourism, and public art. She brings to Americans for the Arts a deep expertise in how arts and culture work with other sectors and contributors to community health, and a strong background in issues of cultural equity, access, and diversity, which are core components of Americans for the Arts’ missions and strategic goals.
“We thank Ruby for her extensive contributions to the central Ohio arts community and are excited about her opportunity to work on behalf of the arts at the national level,” said Tom Katzenmeyer, president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council.
Originally from California, where she was a dance instructor, Harper continues to work with local arts organizations creating choreography for their musical theatre productions. She has served on a number of grant panels for the Ohio Arts Council, Kentucky Arts Council, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Harper has an Associate degree from Cerritos College, a certificate in Corporate Community Involvement from Boston College, is a trained meeting facilitator, and a Certified Tourism Ambassador.
About the Greater Columbus Arts Council: Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, the Arts Council funds exemplary artists and arts organizations and provides programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community. The Arts Council thanks the City of Columbus and the Ohio Arts Council for their continued support. www.gcac.org
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org
