For more information contact:
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs |
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DCA announces 2008 Great Places Regional ForumsProposal Submission Timeline set for March-September For Immediate Release: Jan. 22, 2008 DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs today announced the Great Places Regional Forums schedule and Proposal Submission Timeline for 2008. Three Iowa Great Places regional forums will be held across the state – March 31 in Storm Lake, April 2 in West Union and April 3 in Albia – to reintroduce to Iowans general information about the program, application process, grant funding, and Great Places Citizen Advisory Board’s expectations. Each forum is expected to be 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Meeting sites will be announced as they are confirmed. RSVPs are encouraged, but not required, by visiting www.iowagreatplaces.gov or contacting Francis Boggus at francis.boggus@iowa.gov. “We expect to cover a number of topics, including community visioning, incorporating ‘green’ or sustainable principles, marketing and advertising, and fundraising,” DCA Director Cyndi Pederson said. “These sessions will assist applicants as they develop their Great Places proposals and also help community leaders and citizens alike as they tackle issues facing the local area or region. While these forums are free, at least one person from every place that plans on submitting a proposal must attend.” Administered by DCA, Iowa Great Places is a program that calls on state agencies to partner with Iowans by combining state resources with local assets to make Iowa’s communities, neighborhoods, districts and regions great places where people want to live, work and raise a family. The program asks Iowans to develop proposals that address seven unique and authentic dimensions that make places special: engaging experiences; rich, diverse populations and cultures; a vital, creative economy; clean and accessible natural and built environments; well-designed infrastructure; a shared attitude of optimism that welcomes new ideas; and based on a diverse and inclusive cultural mosaic. State agencies are working with Iowa’s 16 Great Places – Adams County, Appanoose County, Charles City, Clinton, Coon Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Decorah, Dubuque, Fairfield, Guttenberg, Jackson County, Mason City, Perry, Sioux City and Valley Junction – to achieve their visions by identifying technical assistance and existing programs such as grant and financial aid programs, and the State Historic Preservation Tax Credit program. Following is the 2008 Great Places Proposal Submission Timeline: March 13 March 31 April 2 April 3 *Note: At least one person from each place planning to submit a proposal in 2008 is required to be in attendance at one regional forum. April 16 *Note: Great Places Board members will hold mandatory consultations with places planning to submit a proposal in 2008. Places can pitch their ideas and receive feedback from board members. The consultations are closed-door; they are not public presentations. PowerPoint presentations or computer use of any kind are not allowed; however, places are encouraged to bring draft proposals, pictures and other information that can be easily displayed and shared with board members. April 30 May 7 August 11 August 26 September 22-25 September 18 September 23 The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for developing the state’s interest in the areas of the arts, history and other cultural matters with the advice and assistance from its two divisions: the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. DCA preserves, researches, interprets and promotes an awareness and understanding of local, state and regional history and stimulates and encourages the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation in them. It implements tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the General Assembly and designs a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. More information about DCA is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.
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