Governor honors director, museum

Richmond Art Museum and its leader have received the state’s highest honor in the arts. 

Indiana Arts Commission and Gov. Eric Holcomb presented the Governor’s Arts Award to Shaun Dingwerth and four other individuals on Feb. 27 at the statehouse. 

The Governor’s Arts Awards are given every two years. The timing of this selection is extra special because RAM is celebrating its 125th anniversary and Dingwerth, a 1985 Northeastern High School graduate, is marking 25 years of working at RAM. 

Dingwerth became RAM’s executive director in 2004 and previously had served as its director of operations after an earlier career in retail. He owned a men’s clothing shop, Knots & Beaus, and was an assistant manager for three years at Woolworth. He’s always had a career in working with the public and said those skills have served him well.  

Dingwerth took as many art classes as he could at Northeastern and at Indiana University Bloomington, but he earned a finance degree that proves beneficial when in managing a nonprofit. 

Dingwerth’s nomination unexpectedly came from Ruth Stone, a consultant RAM hired for its strategic plan about 18 months ago. Dingwerth said Stone was very impressed with the museum and its leadership and solicited support letters from RAM patrons and other people in the arts. 

Upon being selected, Dingwerth asked state officials to expand the recognition to the museum too. 

The award recognizes work being done to make arts accessible in east central Indiana. He hopes it will encourage people who’ve thought of visiting to stop by, especially first-time visitors.

Thanks to fundraising, RAM offers free admission to eliminate a cost barrier, compared to some metropolitan museums that charge $20 per adult. 

“I want local people to see this as their museum and experience all the great arts we have,” he said. 

The museum looks significantly different than it did a few years ago. RAM began a capital campaign for a renovation in 2017 that updated its galleries and climate control, among other benefits. Construction began in 2018 and was finished in 2019, just before the pandemic paused gallery visits. Then, McGuire Hall’s auditorium underwent a $1.2 million renovation to add air conditioning and improve technology and seating to increase its community use. New murals inside the auditorium featuring Richmond’s art and industrial heritage were unveiled earlier this year. 

Dingwerth said he shares the IAC honor with the many people who have kept the museum operating since its 1898 founding — the second oldest continuing art association in Indiana. He also credits current staff, patrons, supporters and Richmond Community Schools for their contributions. He describes RCS as “a great partner in our educational programming.”

Last year, more than 4,000 students visited the museum. All Richmond High School students visit at least once a year. 

He’s hopeful that providing arts opportunities to youth could lead to a future career, hobby or supporting the arts.  

Dingwerth said some adults don’t see all the potential career possibilities related to the arts. One of the museum’s current shows features Latosha Stone-Keagy who combined her interest in skateboarding and art and turned it into a business.    

“If children pursue their passion, they will be far more successful in life,” Dingwerth said. 

One educational program that Dingwerth is especially proud of was the art of the late Pennsylvania teenager Amos “Lemon” Burkhart. The 2022 show also addressed topics related to Burkhart’s short life, such as mental health and addiction, and aimed to inspire teens to stay alive and make art.

“It was a new way to use the museum to talk about current subjects in a safe environment,” Dingwerth said. 

In May, RAM leaders will speak at the American Alliance of Museums conference in Baltimore about how they made the Burkhart show work in a museum environment. 

He believes RAM is receiving recognition for its strong historical foundation and also for being forward-thinking in how it can use exhibitions to engage different populations.  

He compliments other regional arts groups for offering quality programs and performances while remembering the area’s rich arts history. 

“To get recognition now gives me hope that our organizations are being noticed for what we’re doing,” Dingwerth said. 

Dingwerth hopes that IAC’s awards ceremony near the legislature’s chambers reminds lawmakers that arts serve as an economic driver by enhancing Hoosiers’ quality of life and helping attract or retain businesses and residents. 

He said the arts are important to Wayne County’s growth opportunities, because there have to be things for people to do to attract businesses, and RAM is a cog in that wheel.   

Dingwerth said the museum has a lot of visitors from Cincinnati, Dayton and other areas who like seeing RAM’s rotation of shows every eight to 10 weeks, compared to blockbuster shows that stay at metro museums for six months. They appreciate RAM’s welcoming environment and are encouraged to visit other local community assets. The Old Richmond Inn tells him they have an influx of customers on the days that RAM has show openings.

Dingwerth notes that national surveys show every dollar invested in arts returns $6 in economic impact to the community.