National Willa Cather Center News

The grand opening and dedication of the National Willa Cather Center in June was occasion to bring together many friends of the Willa Cather Foundation, both old and new. Among donors, Cather family members, elected officials, and guest speaker, Laura Bush, was our new friend, Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker.

The Willa Cather Foundation (WCF) seeks a highly-organized, passionate, and multi-talented candidate to fill a new Finance & Business Manager position. The Finance & Business Manager will collaborate with the leadership team to oversee operations as the WCF continues to grow and build capacity. This position's primary responsibility is to support financial management, business planning and budgeting, human resources, and administration.

The newly opened National Willa Cather Center is an arts and cultural center that serves as a living memorial to renowned writer, Willa Cather. Located in Cather’s childhood hometown of Red Cloud, Nebraska,  the Center provides almost 20,000 square feet of space that includes a public museum, archive, research center, classroom,  bookstore, art gallery, and performing arts center.

Reflecting back on her first Spring Conference many years ago, it was the kindness shown to her as a young scholar that compelled Dr. Mary Ruth Ryder to become a member of the Willa Cather Foundation – and ultimately to join the Cather Legacy Society by naming the Foundation in her estate plans.  “The scholars were kind to each other, non-competitive, supportive of young scholars, and receptive. This is what scholars should do with knowledge. Part of my response was also due to Red Cloud itself and the interchange with people who were proud, pleasant, and eager to share.