Ruth Foundation for the Arts

The Ruth Foundation for the Arts, also known as Ruth Arts, is a non-profit philanthropic arts organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that supports artists and organizations through grants and invite-only initiatives.^[1] Ruth Arts supports organizations throughout the United States while maintaining extra attention and support to the midwest due to Ruth DeYoung Kohler II's lifelong advocacy for the Midwest’s artistic community.^[2][3][4]

History

The Ruth Foundation for the Arts is funded by a $440 million bequest from Ruth DeYoung Kohler.^[1][5][6] Karen Patterson, former senior curator at John Michael Kohler Arts Center and director of exhibitions at The Fabric Workshop and Museum, is the Executive Director.^[5][7] The program director of artistic initiatives is Kim Nguyen, former curator and head of programs at the CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts in San Francisco.^[5]

Ruth Arts' initial initiative was to give out individual grants in the range of $10,000 to $50,000.^[7]

In 2023, Ruth Arts gave $1.25 million to 56 Arts Organizations that were selected by a group of artists.^[8]

In 2024, Ruth Arts awarded $950,000 in grants to 10 Wisconsin arts groups with operating budgets of less than $2 million.^[9]

Ruth Award

In 2024, Ruth Arts established the Ruth Award, giving $100,000 to four artists: Kite, Candice Lin, Joe Minter, and Rose B. Simpson.^[10]