Ruth Holmberg

ArtsBuild, formerly Allied Arts, has announced it will present its first Arts Leadership Award to Ruth Holmberg, formerly publisher of The Chattanooga Times.

The presentation will take place during a reception ceremony March 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Space at Warehouse Row.

A news release said the award recognizes Holmberg for "her extraordinary support of the arts and cultural community in Chattanooga over the past 68 years."

Holmberg served as publisher of the Times from 1964 to 1992.

She has long been active in the support of the arts in Chattanooga, serving as chair of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Association and the Hunter Museum of American Art. She also is a founding member of the Tennessee Arts Commission.

"When we decided to establish this award, there was really no debate over who should be the first recipient," Dan Bowers, president of ArtsBuild, said. "Ruth Holmberg embodies ArtsBuild's mission of building a stronger community through the arts. Without her vision and unparalleled leadership, Chattanooga would not be the vibrant arts community it is today."

"It is impossible to say enough about what Ruth has done for the arts in Chattanooga," Daniel Stetson, executive director of the Hunter Museum of American Art, said. "Her involvement with the Hunter spans more than 50 years, and her generosity is visible on the walls in many of our galleries."

He added, "As a staff member said to me this week, 'Ruth is an arts angel whose generosity inspires a community'. Ruth is one of the most generous, intelligent and caring arts citizens I have ever had the privilege to know. She is a model to us all."

ArtsBuild has invested more than $65 million to support and nurture the arts in Chattanooga since its founding.