Kathy Dodge
Grand Rapids Arts and Culture Commission (Grand Rapids, Minnesota)
Session: Arts & Culture Development Led by City Government? Yes, it’s Possible. (Saturday 9 – 10:15am)
Kathy Dodge’s first experience in arts administration was as the Executive Director of the Itasca Orchestra and Strings Program in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. This came after a long and loving career as a high school English teacher. Her six-year stint at the Orchestra sparked her passion for arts advocacy, particularly rural arts. As a result, she chaired the steering committee for the Minnesota Orchestra’s first Common Chords Residency in Minnesota, served on the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC), and was co-founder of Grand Rapids Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to marketing area arts. She also is a recipient of the Maddie Simons Arts Advocate Award from ARAC. Currently, she is a board member of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and a commissioner on the Grand Rapids Arts and Culture Commission. Her education includes a BA in English from St. Lawrence University (Canton, NY) and an MA from Syracuse University.