Sage Cowles papers

Born Jane Sage Fuller in 1925, Sage Cowles was a dancer, arts advocate, and philanthropist who lived and worked in the Twin Cities. She studied dance at the School of American Ballet in New York, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Art History in 1947. While attending the University of Wisconsin, she formed the touring Wisconsin Dance Group with Mary Hinkson, Matt Turney, and Miriam Cole. After graduatnig, Cowles pursued a career as a dancer, appearing in the Broadway musical "Bless You All" and on the television series "Lucky Strike Hit Parade." In 1952 she married John Cowles Jr, owner of the Star Tribune newspaper and fellow arts philanthropist. The couple moved to Minneapolis and began a legacy of advocacy and fundraising for Twin Cities arts organizations. During this time, Sage Cowles continued to dance occasionally with the Nancy Hauser dance troupe, and became active in dance therapy in the 1970s. She is also known for collaborating with dancers such as Merce Cunningham and Bill T. Jones, with visual artists such as Suzanne Lacey, and with Saint Paul filmaker Molly Davies.