Rod Rubbo
President/CEO, theFund
Rod Rubbo came to San Antonio to take on the challenge of managing and expanding theFund’s efforts to raise money for 27 local, qualified, nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in San Antonio. Before the call to San Antonio, Rod was president and CEO of the Cultural Center for the Arts in Canton, Ohio. While there, he was responsible for coordinating, planning, operating and managing the Cultural Center’s annual Fund for the Arts campaign and the center facilities.
Prior to his nearly 30-year career at the Cultural Center, Rod was General Manager of the Ohio Ballet, General Manager for the North Carolina Dance Theatre at the North Carolina School for the Arts, and Company Manager for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania).
Rod earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1971 from the University of Oklahoma. He received Americans for the Arts Michael Newton Award for leadership in the united arts field in 2002.
Rod also gives of his time and expertise to national arts and cultural associations. He was the 2002-2004 National Chairman for the Americans for the Arts United Arts Fund Council. Prior to that, he served fourteen years on the Board of Trustees for the Council. Other affiliations include member Rotary club of San Antonio and Cultural Alliance of San Antonio.
Kathy LeMaster
Office Manager, theFund
Having grown up in Chicago, I had the benefit of experiencing a multitude of art and cultural opportunities throughout the city. I am very grateful, that when I was in school, music and art classes were a mandatory part of the curriculum, and field trips to all the cities museums were a much anticipated annual event.
Enjoying the arts have always been an important part of my family's life, so I have encouraged my own children and grandchildren to appreciate the arts and culture by visiting museums, plays, ballet, musical and cultural events and reading to them.
When my family first moved to San Antonio, my granddaughter quickly became involved in theatre, singing and dancing in musicals at the Josephine Theatre. She also sang in her high school choir at Clark and Johnson HIgh Schools. The impact that involvement with art and music, has had on her cognitive, communication skills and self confidence, further impressed upon me how important the support of arts and culture in our community is, expecially with the reduction of arts and music curriculum in public schools.
I completely embrace and support the mission and vision of theFund. What a wonderful opportunity it is to be able to be an integral part in the growth of art and culture in San Antonio.
As Office Manager of theFund and the “other half” of the staff, I tend to the day to day administration of the office. My job is to make sure your contributions are accounted for and acknowledged promptly. I also, manage our social media, and volunteer recruitment. If you ever have any questions, I am here to help.
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Kaitlin Graves
Office Intern, theFund
I have always felt that a rich, vibrant, artistic culture is important not only to children or “artsy types,” but to all of society. Artistic endeavors are a reflection of our humanity: they feed our soul, stir our minds, and touch our hearts. I have been privileged enough to be able to participate in these endeavors—particularly theatrical—and have seen the benefits firsthand. Because of this, I feel it is monumentally important that all responsible citizens are contributors, patrons and participants of the arts in their city.
Although I came to this city in 2008 to study Theatre at Trinity University, I have become rooted to San Antonio. Not only is my address, phone number and voter’s registration part of SATX—so is my heart. And because of that, I am committed to contributing to my community. One of the ways is by making sure the wonderful arts organizations—theatre, dance, music, performance art and exhibition art—are all not only surviving, but thriving.
Plays, dances, symphonies, ballets, operas, art exhibits, writing, singing, Luminaria, art schools, radio, children’s programs, classes… San Antonio has already fostered an amazing atmosphere for art of all kinds. I’ve been living here for only three years and I have by no means exhausted my options to experience it! It is up to us if we want our culture of art to continue.
Joining the efforts of theFund as an intern is an honor and joy for me. I feel as though I am (in a small way) carrying out a part of my duties as a citizen by supporting the arts. theFund’s motto is: Arts. Culture. Community. And that, I believe, is the formula for an interesting, intelligent, and influential San Antonio.
