RAPID CITY, SD, July 22, 2019 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Ruth Anne Brennan with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Ms. Brennan celebrates many years' experience in her professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Brennan spent the first two years of her career in education before transitioning into arts and entertainment as both a writer and arts administrator. Teaching at Edison Junior High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, from 1954 to 1955 and as a registrar/vets advisor at the University of Colorado Denver from 1955 to 1956, she was next hired in 1968 as an arts staff writer for the Rapid City Journal in South Dakota for 15 wonderful years. In 1975 Ms. Brennan then became the executive director for the Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC), retiring in 1998. She spent another 10 years with the Rapid City Journal as an arts columnist from 2005 to 2015.
The RCAC is notably a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that manages the Dahl Arts Center under contract by the City of Rapid City. It is one of the oldest and most respected arts councils in South Dakota. Incorporated in 1968, the mission of the RCAC is to champion inclusive, innovative and inspired arts opportunities to enrich the communities they serve.
Ms. Brennan was the art exhibit catalog essayist of "Missouri River" in 1991, "New Eyes" in 1993 and South Dakota Governor's Art Exhibit catalog in 2016. In 2015 she authored the book "The Dream Lives On", commissioned by Black Hills Playhouse Alumni Association.
A longstanding member of several professional organizations, Ms. Brennan has spent time with the Association of South Dakota Museums, Arts for America, and the Historic Preservation Commission in Rapid City. She is the current president of the Rapid City Library Foundation, immediate past president of the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra, a board member for the South Dakota Art Museum and a former board member of the National Music Museum. Ms. Brennan formerly served as a planning/board development arts consultant for the South Dakotans for Arts and was president and board of directors of the Black Hills Playhouse in Black Hills. She was also a governor appointee for 25 years serving as chair for 5 of those years for the South Dakota Arts Council and served as board member and panelist for Arts Midwest based in Minneapolis. She also served on the board of directors of the Black Hills Heritage Festival and the Rapid City Concert Association.
Recognized in 2019 the Rushmore Honors Legacy award, Ms. Brennan received several other accolades as well. In 2013, she received the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce George Award and was named to the South Dakota Hall of Fame, the South Dakota Governor's Award in the Arts in 2011, and Rushmore Honors award in 1995. Earlier in her career, she won the I Can Soar Award from the Boys Club of Rapid City in 1982. She was cited in the third edition of Who's Who in Entertainment and the 25th and 26th editions of Who's Who in the Midwest.
Developing a passion and appreciation for classical music when she was just a child under the influence of her mother who had a degree in piano performance, she began piano lessons at the age of 5. When the opportunity came about for Ms. Brennan to work in the arts, she jumped at the chance. In 1956 after a move to Rapid City she purchased concert association tickets, leading to her involvement in the organization's membership drive. One thing led to another, and soon Ms. Brennan had become a representative on the arts council, followed by her first administrative role in the business.
Married for 30 years to the late James Brennan, Ms. Brennan is the mother of two sons and grandmother of two grandchildren. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology earned from the University of South Dakota in 1954.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to her profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Ruth Anne Brennan has been featured on the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.
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