Meet Susan Ison | Cultural Services Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan Ison and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was one of those lucky volunteers whose work led to a career. After I graduated with a degree in Anthropology I needed to find my niche. Despondent after losing out (I came in second) on a job in Admissions at CSU I needed to do something that I felt was good for my soul so I started volunteering at the Loveland Museum. Fortuitously, the Curator of Collections resigned, I applied and got the position. Within a year the Director resigned and I then moved into that job. For several years my title was Museum Director. My title was changed to Cultural Services Director in 1985 with the addition of the Art In Public Places program, which sets aside 1% of all City capital construction projects for the purchase of art (the first City in Colorado to do so). Several of us spearheaded the adoption of the public art program, so it’s certain one of my favorite memories. All these years later the public art collection now includes more than 500 pieces. In 1996 the department grew once again with the addition of the Rialto Theater. The theater has grown into an active center for the performing arts in Loveland with a variety of activities: music of all types, movies, theater, dance, etc, It played a strong role in the revitalization of downtown Loveland, something we are very proud of. Grow, change, be open to new opportunities, listen to the community–those tenets make every day unexpected and interesting, even after 41 years.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Of course I would visit all of the cultural offerings: the Loveland Museum, the Rialto Theater, tour the public art through the City, especially Benson Sculpture Park and Chapungu Sculpture Park. If they happened to be there during the Foote Lagoon summer concerts we’d go there for sure. Those are the kind of places I seek when I go to other cities. I love to travel and think I can easily be classified as a “cultural tourist.” It’s a vocation and an avocation for me. For food give me any sushi restaurant. It’s a bit of an obsession.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been Cultural Services Director for 41 years so there are a lot of people who have supported and encouraged me over the years. First, the staff; every single person is dedicated to serving the community and supporting each other. Everyone wants to do their very best and oftentimes over-extend because they can’t help themselves! It’s a small, but mighty staff. Secondly, the community; it’s immensely gratifying to have someone spontaneously relate to you how much they enjoyed an exhibit, an event or a performance. At times reactions are very personal and meaningful, often in unexpected ways due to their personal experiences.

Website: thelovelandmuseum.org; rialtotheatercenter.org; lovelandpublicart.org

Image Credits
Clara Scholtz, City of Loveland