Iowa Cultural Success Stories

Below are some of the success stories presented by attendees at the regional caucuses. These projects and events demonstrate how Iowa communities are strengthening their cultural assets.

The successes also show how organizations and individuals are meeting the Imagine Iowa 2010 goals, which collectively offer Iowans and others a richer and more vibrant quality of life. (Imagine Iowa 2010 is the Department of Cultural Affairs' strategic plan and sets Iowa's cultural agenda.)

Submit your cultural success story!

Dubuque Regional Caucus

Winterfest: A Cultural Celebration
The Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau has led the initiative to establish travel packages to Dubuque. One package is "Arts & Culture Days." Another is "Winterfest: A Cultural Celebration." This event is a collaboration among 20 cultural organizations throughout the community who have events occurring on the same weekend in December to show all of the cultural events and reasons to spend time in the community.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goals: Community Development & Cultural Tourism; Marketing and Audience Development

Contact: Amy Link, 563.557.9200, alink@dubuquechamber.com

Public Art at Grand River Center
Part of Dubuque’s Vision Iowa funded America’s River Project is the Grant River Center, which solicited displays of work by local artists. Public Art at Grant River Center promotes local artists as local entrepreneurs. The program displays public art at a highly visible and publicly funded facility.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goal: Community Development & Cultural Tourism; Cultural Workers as Entrepreneurs

Contact: Amy Link, 563.557.9200, alink@duququechamber.com

Cedar Falls/Waterloo Regional Caucus

Black Hawk Hotel Restoration
Complete renovation of the hotel and its properties with the goal of becoming a destination and resource for historic preservation.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goals: Historic Preservation & Documentation; Community Development & Cultural Tourism

Contact: Dan Tindall, 641.821.6686

Evans Block Restoration, Downtown Sioux City
The Evans Block is the oldest structure in the 4th Street Historic District. In a state of disrepair, the building was slated for demolition by the city. The project was to stoop the proposed demolition, identify a developer and find funding to rehabilitate and save the cornerstone structure. Downtown Partners applied for and received a $15,000 HSGP grant to help preserve the building. The grant helped Downtown Partners to locate a buyer, negotiate a purchase by that developer and leverage rehabilitation investments. The project will be completed by late 2004 and will result in a $1.1 million renovation and space occupied by a restaurant and office tenants.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goal: Historic Preservation & Documentation; Community Development & Cultural Tourism

Contact: Roger Caudron, 712.252.0014, RCAUDRON@pionet.net

Grout Historic District School
Imagine Iowa 2010 Goal: Education

Contact Billy Bailey, Director, Grout Museum District, 319.234.6357, grout@forbin.net, www.groutmuseumdistrict.org

LOUD
LOUD is a consortium started by the Waterloo Center for the Arts. Loud is comprised of individuals with diverse affiliations to the arts. Loud is dedicated to the acknowledgement and equal representation of the aspiring creative cultures in the community by establishing explorative opportunities - opportunities focusing on the aspiring cultures linked to the influential impact of technology, marketing, mass-communication, and the fusing of sub-cultures upon its development.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goals: Young Iowans; Cultural Workers as Entrepreneurs

Contact Chawne Paige, Loud Chair, 319.291.4490, chawnepaige@loudarts.org

Waterloo Public Art Program
A partnership program coordinated by the Waterloo Cultural and Arts Commission. Partners include the Grout Museum District, Main Street Waterloo, City of Waterloo Planning and Leisure Service Departments, INRCOG, CV Trails, architects and landscape architects, University of Northern Iowa and artists. Eight projects have been completed in downtown Waterloo. A progressive unveiling of four sculptures was held September 24.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goals: Community Development & Cultural Tourism; Cultural Workers as Entrepreneurs

Contact Cammie Scully, Director, Waterloo Center for the Arts, 319.291.4490, cammie.scully@waterloo-ia.org, www.wplwloo.lib.ia.us/arts/

Sioux City Regional Caucus

Friends of Latham Park Association
A private trust began in 1937 by Clara Latham. Comprised of a one acre park with a fountain and a 1916 home built by the Latham family. Trust funds ran out and the association, comprised of neighbors, concerned citizens was formed to establish a $600,000 trust fund to operate the park in perpetuity.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goals: Community Development & Cultural Tourism; Historic Preservation & Documentation; Financial Planning

Contact Jim Jung, 712.276.4549, www.lathampaark.com

Council Bluffs Regional Caucus
Stories to be added

Iowa City Regional Caucus

Johnson County Cultural Alliance
JCCA is an umbrella organization for over 50 arts and cultural entities in the Johnson County area. The mission of JCCA is to promote new funding, advocacy of favorable public sector policies, and increase awareness of the arts and cultural activities in Johnson County. By collaborating with the Cedar Rapids Area Cultural Alliance, we created www.culturalcorridor.org, a comprehensive calendar of arts and cultural events in Linn and Johnson Counties. On a local level, JCCA focuses on advocacy efforts and cultural collaboration and networking opportunities for over 80 member entities of JCCA and CRACC.

Imagine Iowa 2020 Goals: Community Development & Cultural Tourism; Advocacy and Leadership; Marketing & Audience Development

Contact Jessica Netolicky, 319.377.6592, jessica@jculture.org

Davenport Regional Caucus

Hispanic Outreach Library Program / Davenport Public Library
Imagine Iowa 2010 Goal: Education

Contact LaWanda Roudebush, 563.326.7832

German-American Center
Creation of a library archives, museum and cultural center for service throughout the Midwest by restoring a site with historical links to German-American immigration. The former Standard Hotel at 2nd and Gaines Streets in Davenport was purchased in 1995, partially restored in 1999, and reopened to the public in May, 2000.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goal: Historic Preservation & Documentation

Contact: Amy Driscoll, 563.322.8844, director@gahc.org

Preservation of Antoine Le Claire Mansion
Imagine Iowa 2010 Goal: Historic Preservation & Documentation; Community Development & Cultural Tourism

Contact: Karen Anderson, 563.324.0257, www.scottcountyiowa.com/schps.html

City of Davenport Comprehensive Plan
Creation of comprehensive plan that incorporates cultural assets, historic preservation and education components.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goals: Community Development and Cultural Tourism

Contact: Contact: Bill McCarly, 563.326.7766, www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/ced/design/faqdesign.htm

Burlington Regional Caucus

Bentsport
Artist colony (Mormon House) preservation plan and project. Harland-Lincoln restoration work. HRPD validation helped with other fundraising and public programs.

Burlington Library and Art Center
New library and art center planned.

Burlington Public Art Committee
Burlington Public Art Committee raised $15,000 to hire an artist and interest generated in more.

Des Moines County Historical Society
Museum moved to Burlington -- "free" public library.

Echo
A bi-monthly publication for culture that is funded by local businesses.

Historic Preservation Commission
New historic preservation commission in Muscatine.

Iowa Mississippi River Commission
New Great River Road signs for Iowa. Byways signing and planning interpretative signs and interpretative centers and museums along the road.

St. Patrick's Church
St. Patrick's Church demolition stopped.

Cedar Rapids Regional Caucus
African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa
The heritage of African Americans in Iowa is proud and was in danger of being lost without major efforts to preserve it. In 1994, the African American Heritage Foundation was born and in 2003, the first permanent museum building opened to the public. The museum is in the process of expanding its programming.

www.blackiowa.org
Contact: Susan Kuecker, 319.862.2101 ext. 17, SEKueker@yahoo.com

Belle Plaine Area Museum
Belle Plaine Area Museum reflects the history of the area agriculture, the Chicago-Northwestern Railroad, a circular plotted cemetery, a jumbo well, the Lincoln Highway and shares the unique and wonderful life found in Iowa and the Iowa River Corridor.

Contact: Beverly Winkie, 319.434.2079, winkiewb@netins.net

Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission
The goal of the Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission is to encourage renovation and rehabilitation of historic houses in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids’ historic districts have very user-friendly guidelines for renovation of distressed properties. The establishment of the district has generated recognition of the value and beauty of historic homes, appropriate painting vs. the use of synthetic siding and replacement of aging windows with appropriate replacement windows. Pride of ownership in the historic district is increasing as a result of the Cedar Rapids Historic Commission.

www.cedar-rapids.org/development/preservation.asp
Contact: Joe Trnka, 319.841.4380, jtrnka@hrgreen.com

Cultural Walking Tour
The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library have developed an educational walking tour for both east and west sides of South Cedar Rapids (historically Czech neighborhoods). The walking tour helped raise awareness of local history and the value of local architecture. The tour has expanded to include an off-site presentation in conjunction with the History Center. The walking tour has raised awareness of local history and let to a more complete photographic and archival database of local history.

www.ncsml.org
Contact: Jan Stuffer, 319.362.8500, jan@ncsml.org

The Lincoln Highway/ Focus Linn County
The goal of the project was to develop a uniform sign system, interpretive sites and maps for traveler. The project has increased tourism, public support and awareness of the Lincoln Highway in Linn County.

Contact: Dick Thomas, 319.895.8348, Revdrcol@mchsi

Des Moines Regional Caucus
Art Scene
Art Scene is the only exclusively arts and culture publication of its kind in Iowa, dedicated 100% to the well being of Iowa’s Arts and Culture. Reaching more than 450 locations to over 50 towns and cities across the state with 11,000 issues each month distributed to museums, theatres, cultural centers, galleries and art centers. Art Scene helps fill the void for people who want to know what is happening in Iowa’s cultural landscape.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goals: Cultural Workers as Entrepreneurs, Marketing & Audience Development

Contact: Roderick Kabal, 515.210.7066, artsceneroderick@mchsi.com, www.artsceneiowa.com

Battle Cry of Freedom: Iowa in the Civil War
The Des Moines Choral Society is in its 25th season. In our
2002-2003 season, we created and produced our inspirational performance in May 2003, “Battle Cry of Freedom: Iowa in the Civil War” at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, with guest narrator Hal Holbrook, original script by nationally known Iowa playwright Cynthia Mercati, acting by talented local actors, and accompaniment by the Barn Owl Band. This inspiring work wove letters from Civil War soldiers with music of the time, telling the story of the significant role Iowans had in the Civil War. We attracted an audience of more than 1,300. Governor Vilsack remarked afterward that every student in every Iowa classroom should see this production. We earned statewide and national attention, with an interview of Hal Holbrook and music by the Choral Society on National Public Radio, and broadcast of an edited version of our performance on Iowa Public Television.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goals: Marketing and Audience Development, Historic Preservation

Contact: Lu Ann White, 515.244.0177, lawhite@hbr-law.com

Central Iowa Repertory Theatre Company
Gems from Giants, Central Iowa Repertory Theatre Company’s premier production comprised of two one-act pays by major American playwrights, Lady of Larkspur Lotion by Tennessee Williams and Hughie by Eugene O’Neil. Gems from Giants was performed in the lobby of the historic Kirkwood Hotel in downtown Des Moines, IA. The Kirkwood Hotel’s own front desk and lobby served as the set for Hughie, Gems from Giants provided work opportunities for 14 local artists and played to appreciative crowds. Successes included establishing and enhancing the reputation of Iowa’s excellence in the performing arts, providing consistent professional opportunities for professional theatre artists in Iowa.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goals: Cultural Workers as Entrepreneurs, Community Development & Cultural Tourism

Contact: Joseph Leonardi, 515.556.4358, actwritenow@yahoo.com

Des Moines Metro Opera
Des Moines Metro Opera has been able to present grand opera to Midwestern audiences year after year as well as to
create and expand educational outreach programs like OPERA Iowa and OPERAtion Opera. These programs give children and underserved groups access to high-quality arts programming, creating new generations of opera-lovers.
Grants from the Department of Cultural Affairs have allowed DMMO to help replace arts education in public schools as funding has been reduced.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goals: Cultural Workers as Entrepreneurs, Marketing & Audience Development, Arts in Education

Contact: McB Smith, 515.961.6221, msmith@dmmo.org, www.dmmo.org

Elements Limited
Elements, Ltd. featuring designer jewelry, fine metal art, and other treasures. The three owners design and make jewelry and as well as sell other artists’ works. The three owners have successfully established a business with five employees. The Shops at Roosevelt is the very first mall in the state; home to classy upscale shops and galleries and hopes to establish itself as a new Arts & Cultural District.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goals: Cultural Workers as Entrepreneurs, Community Development & Cultural Tourism

Contact: Sheena Thomas, 515.277.7421, sheena@elementslimited.com

EVAC (East Village Art Coalition)
EVAC provides networking resources to local Des Moines metro artists, venues for serious “theme” art exhibitions, art salons with guest speakers, and community outreach programs as well as great funding raising events.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goal: Advocacy & Cultural Leadership

Contact: Eric Wickes, 515.288.8306, eric@eastvillageart.com

National Balloon Museum
The National Balloon Museum is located in Indianola, IA. It has doubled it’s size of display area, enabling the museum to start a Ballooning Hall of Fame, Women in Ballooning exhibit, children’s learning area and a library conference area.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goal: Community Development & Tourism

Contact: Becky Wigeland, 515.961.3714, flamingbecky@aol.com

Project Restore Foundation
Project Restore Foundation was established in 1996 by local residents wishing to see All Saints Catholic Church restored. The goal of the foundation is to renovate the structure for use as a community cultural center and as an Institute of Religion and Peace with interactive multimedia displays and teaching facilities. By restoring this structure, Project Restore hopes to save a piece of the cultural history of Stuart, and also to promote understanding through the teaching of religious tolerance.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goal: Historic Preservation & Documentation

Contact: Tom Smull, 515.280.7234, tsmull@associationinc.us

Understanding This Business of the Art Business
Over fifty artists from around the state participated in a two-day workshop focusing on equipping artists with knowledge to help them be financially successful. Topics included grant writing, state and federal taxes, general business, and marketing. The overall rating by attendees was high and artists networked with other artists and established new relationships.

Imagine Iowa 2010 Goals: Financial Planning, Cultural Workers as Entrepreneurs

Contact: Staci Nevinski, 515.277.3897, staci@nevinski.com

Mason City Regional Caucus

19th Amendment Society Preservation of Carrie Chapman Catt Childhood Home
By 1991, the eight-room Victorian-era farm house of Carrie Chapman Catt’s childhood home had fallen into serious disrepair after years of neglect. A century after the Lane family sold Spring Brook Farm, the home was sold to the non-profit National 19th Amendment Society. Restoration is under the direction of preservation architect Bill Wagner, who has supervised such projects as the National Park Service’s Herbert Hoover birthplace in West Branch, Iowa; the Mamie Doud Eisenhower birthplace in Boone, Iowa; and Terrace Hill, the Iowa governor’s mansion in Des Moines. Exterior restoration of the home has been completed; work continues on the interior. Upon completion, the home will be open to the public. The home was completely stabilized and renovated and starting to be a site for women’s studies.

Contact: Ron Schlid, 641.228.2931, rounds@rconnect.com, www.catt.org

Clear Lake Arts Center
When the Imagine Iowa 2010 goals were first written, the Clear Lake Arts Council was a homeless organization with no staff and an annual expenditure of approximately $10,000. In the last three years, the Clear Lake Arts Council has established a home called the Clear Lake Arts Center at a temporary site provided by the City of Clear Lake. CLAC now has three part-time employees, including a half-time executive director and an annual operating budget eight times their 2000 budget. Perhaps the most amazing element of their story is that we have achieved this success during one of the most difficult fiscal times in recent history for arts organizations across the nation.

Contact: Betty Winga, 641.357.1998, directorcla@netins.net

In the Cultural Spotlight
Eight cultural entities in Mason City put together, in cooperation and conjunction with The Globe Gazette a quarterly supplemental publication with schedules and information about the cultural entities.

Contact: Dick Peterson, ricshar@mchsi.com

Kid’s Club
Kid’s Club meets monthly at the Charles H. MacNider Museum in Mason City. Activities are based on exploration and discovery of the visual arts and treasures of the museum. Over 400 kids are registered (ages 5-12); averaging 50 kids per month. Partially funded by First Citizens Bank, Mason City.

Contact: Peggy Bank, 641.422.4307, bankpegg@niacc.edu

Fort Dodge Regional Caucus

Blanden Memorial Art Museum’s Art in the School Program
During the winter of 2004-2004, Blanden’s Art in the Schools Program focused on Grant Wood and involved 3rd graders learning about his roots and his artwork. Blanden’s art instructors visited schools who a visit and make a presentation and accompanying project with each class. Due to distance, many of these schools were unfamiliar with the museum and a real educational opportunity occurred in many ways.

Contact: Regina Smith, 515-973-2316, regina@blanden.org

Caucus! The Musical
A musical comedy about the Iowa caucus was funded by an Iowa Arts Council Mini Grant. Staged readings at the Des Moines Playhouse occurred on January 17, 2004 – two days before the caucuses. The musical received national press attention (National Public Radio, C-Span, BBC America, Voice of America, WHO-TV, Des Moines Register and college papers in Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota. With the IAC grant, the musical has been updated and ready for full performance in any year (not just an election year).

Contact: Robert Ford, 619-322-9228, iowaplaywright@aol.com

Iowa's National Endowment for the Arts Public Art Project for the New Millennium
"The Gathering: Of Time, of Land, of Many Hands", a community-wide project led by two Chicago community artists, Nina Smoot-Cain and John Pitman Weber, was completed by over 1,000 people during their 4-month residencies. Nearly 570 children through senior citizens met with Nina in brainstorming, drawing and cut paper design sessions. About 100 people of all ages worked on broken-tile mosaic practice pieces. Preschoolers through those in their nineties worked side-by-side washing and sorting tile, tessellating, sweeping, telephoning, construction, collecting and cutting card board and installation. The city of Spencer was generous with equipment and labor while businesses furnished supplies and financial support. The outcome is ongoing. "The Gathering" is a symbol of "community-ness" at its best. People who had never known each other before the project still smile at each other and often raise their palms, remembering with pride the blisters they shared as they nipped the tiles, day or night, and shared the joy and excitement when a section was successfully completed. It changed the way the city and county government looked at art and culture because many of these people got their hands dirty or blistered, too. Barriers were broken. Four years later, the arts and culture are now looked upon as economic development by those who make decisions for the future!

Contact: Oxana Bedore, 712-262-4307, aog@longlines.com, www.spencer-ia.com/aog/

Rock the Roof
Nine consecutive free concerts by Iowa Hall of Fame performers were held in Okoboki and intendance increased from 150 to 700. Next summer, 10 free concerts will be held on Thursday nights!

Contact: Doris Welu, 712-332-2850, irrma@okobojichamber.com

Second Saturday in Pomeroy
The 2nd Saturday of every month is invited to the studio of Leonard Olson. Other entities in Promeroy are now using 2nd Saturday as an opportunity to promote their agendas too and the town is coming back to life through the arts.

Contact: Leonard Olson, 712-468-2420, L-olson@netins.net or chelp@ncn.net, www.downtownpromeroy.com

Tie One On In Pomeroy
This event involved Roger Feldhans (Tie Dye Guy) showing Tie Die as a true art form through displays and demonstrations. A local bar (Byron’s) was converted into an art gallery and a band was hired. The event exposed more people to the art of Tie Dyeing and learning occurred on both sides. It also helped promote Second Saturdays in Promeroy and helping to support it’s continued success.

Contact: Roger D. Feldhans (Tie Die Guy), 712-297-5910, rajah@iowatelecom.net