In its 20 years, the Rural Alliance for the Arts has come a long way.

Constantly evolving, the nonprofit’s newest accomplishment is the establishment of a Fine Arts Scholarship, which outgoing President Mary K. Cambron called “one of the most gratifying" projects during her tenure. “There will be a scholarship in place for years to come,” she told 35 attendees at the Aug. 26 annual meeting.

To get the fund going, Peter and Elsa Soderberg contributed $10,000, which RAA matched. The first recipient was Batesville High School graduate Alexandria Wilburn, who is attending Herron School of Art and Design, Indianapolis.

Highlighting the 2008-09 season, incoming President Connie Brunner observed, “It is the coolest thing we can bring programs in that people might not otherwise get to see”:

• “Faith County,” the third annual fall dinner show, is a comedy instead of a murder mystery. “It's going to be a county fair setting. I've heard it's a lot of fun,” Brunner said. Lil' Charlie's will cater a picnic type dinner with pies by Snikkers ’N Peanuts Oct. 17-18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Batesville Middle School old gym. Pie wedges will be served during a 2 p.m. matinee Oct. 19.

• The Ballet Theatre of Toledo returns with "The Nutcracker" ballet, “such a good show and a Christmas classic,” Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. at the BHS auditorium. Ten local young ballerinas will dance in three scenes.

• "Red, Hot ... & Blue!," consistently awarded best costume, vocal and dance group in Branson, Mo., will perform “a musical journey through the decades from ragtime to rock and roll” Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the auditorium. “I think that will be a fun show for all ages,” according to the president.

• The RAA Art Auction is May 2 at Hillcrest Country Club. “We are having a Derby Day theme” because it takes place on race day.

• The Community Art Show will be in June and July, with artworks viewed at the public library and various businesses in conjunction with the Batesville Music and Arts Festival.

• "Beauty and the Beast," the Disney version with familiar songs and characters, will wow families June 26-28 at the BHS auditorium.

• Minnesota-based Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre experts will bring in sets and costumes and coach local kids July 20-25 before performances of “Robin Hood" at the auditorium.

RAA net income for the period that ended June 30 was $22,371, giving the nonprofit a balance of $129,277, said Treasurer Barb Greene. Income was $123,518, including art auction, $50,551; grants, $42,606; program admissions, $16,129; and memberships, $12,845. Expenses were $101,147, including Arts in Education Program, $25,908; cultural events, $23,347; scholarship, $21,055; and art auction, $11,589.

Administrator Joan Kuhlman singled out Batesville primary and intermediate media specialist Anne Amrhein for the Arts in Education Award. “She was a charter member of the RAA Board of Directors” and also served as president and auction, AIE and AIE Evening Series chairperson.

The President's Award went to Jen Saner, “truly a godsend. After moving to Batesville, she became auction chair in November and whipped it into shape" by February, according to the president. Cambron also named Ann Macyauski, who was absent, Volunteer of the Year for her work cataloguing auction items and assembling auction baskets and assisting with the Community Art Show. “Ann did an outstanding job for us .... She is one of these people who is very quiet, very unassuming, but does everything. Those are the kinds of volunteers who are the core of this organization.”

The Herald-Tribune was chosen as Organization of the Year “for continued and exceptional service to the arts.”

Outgoing board member Alison Lang was applauded for 20 years of service.

In addition to Brunner and Greene, incoming officers are Vice President Lori Feldbauer and Secretary Elaine Howell. Other board members, who were elected or re-elected at the meeting, are Cambron, Amrhein, Saner, Domenica Cohen, Chris Nichols, Dee Wehr, Mary Mattingly, Bonnie Pratt, Michelle Schwettman, Dr. Jim Roberts, Jolene Rockwood, Linda Koon, Nancy Mullen, Roberta Cook, Regina Siefert, Connie Rozman, Marty Junker and John Hillenbrand.

The cost to join the Rural Alliance for the Arts ranges from $15 to $250 based on category.

For more information or to order reserved-seat tickets (discounts for members and groups of eight or more), administrator Joan Kuhlman can be reached at 933-0355. Details are available at www.ruralalliancearts. com.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.