Davenport's Rudi Newkirk Awarded 2026 SAI Arts Administrator of the Year

Rudi Newkirk, K-12 Fine Arts Curriculum and Assessment Specialist and Creative Arts Academy Program Director for Davenport Community Schools, is the 2026 Iowa Fine Arts Administrator of the Year as selected by the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education (IAAE). 

Colleagues nominated Newkirk for this award and the IAAE established the criteria. Recipients must demonstrate how their leadership contributes to the development of the arts in a school or district. In addition, they must be a member of School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) and hold an administrative licensure even if they are not currently in an administrator role.

IAAE Executive Director Leon Kuehner appreciates their involvement in the selection. “The Iowa Alliance for Arts Education would like to congratulate Rudi Newkirk on her selection as the SAI Arts Administrator Award recipient for 2026.  Her application for this award was outstanding and the IAAE Executive Board was very impressed. It is very clear that she understands the benefits of quality fine arts instruction and puts that belief into action. Her support of quality arts education in the Davenport Community School District is exemplary,” said Kuehner. 

Newkirk began her career in Colorado as an assistant marching arts director followed by director of music. She then worked three years in New Mexico as a director of music and media before accepting her current role with Davenport Community Schools in 2023. She attended Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota for her undergraduate degree. She then received a Masters of Arts from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. A second Master of Arts in Educational Leadership was obtained from Western New Mexico University.

When she learned of the recognition, Newkirk shared, "I am truly honored and humbled by this recognition, and deeply grateful to Davenport Community School District and the amazing fine arts teachers who make this work so meaningful each day. Entering my third year in this role, I’m thankful that our shared dedication to expanding access and equity in the arts continues to be celebrated across our community.”

SAI Executive Director Lisa Remy shared her own words of congratulations. "Congratulations to Rudi. Her leadership and unwavering commitment to ensuring students have rich opportunities to learn, create, and express themselves through the arts is commendable. We are proud to celebrate her vision and the impact she has made in elevating the arts in Davenport.” 

Iowa’s Administrators of the Year will be recognized at the SAI Annual Conference in August for their contributions to educational leadership.