GSBOR director appointed to Missouri Arts Council

Photo provided by Barth Fraker

Barth Fraker

Barth Fraker, director of public and governmental affairs for the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors Inc., yesterday was appointed to the Missouri Arts Council.

The council is a statewide board of volunteers who provide direction in policy making, program oversight and developing initiatives, according to a news release. It supports nonprofits through grants, with an end goal of engaging people in arts, while growing the economy and strengthening Missouri’s art education. A division of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, arts council leaders are appointed by the DED.

“I have a lot to learn and a lot of people that will help me learn about what the expectations are, but it could not be more humbling to represent an area that has such a strong interest in the arts,” Fraker told Springfield Business Journal this morning. “You’re a member of a state organization, so it’s a collaborative effort, but it’s exciting to me to make sure Springfield has a voice in that, and that we can maybe even educate the state to some of the incredible things that go on in Springfield in the arts world.”

Fraker said his current job in the real estate industry correlates well with his position on the arts council, which he said he hopes to enhance the lives of Missouri residents and attract new people to the area.

“Arts play a part of that, and healthy communities are so important to where people want to raise a family,” he said.

Fraker has played piano since childhood, currently serving as musical director for the All Saints Anglican Church. He also played the “Missouri Waltz” at Gov. Eric Grietens’ inauguration.

Fraker previously served as musical director for a handful of productions at the Springfield Little Theatre – including “Sound of Music,” “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and the 75th Anniversary Gala.

He also taught private lessons in Springfield, and some of those students, he said, have gone into the music and arts industry.

“The love for the investment in the lives of students is certainly part of my passion for this area,” he said.

Fraker was road manager for several Christian music artists, including Greg Long. He also was involved with the Women of Faith Tour for six years, three as road manager, with Christian contemporary artists including Natalie Grant and Sandi Patty.