1,000 March for Cultural Advocacy Day, Cultural Trust clears first hurdle
For Immediate Release February 28, 2002
DES MOINES, Iowa—A thousand Iowans from every corner of the state marched
to support the arts, history, humanities and sciences in a parade that stretched
from the State Historical Building to the State Capitol on Cultural Advocacy Day,
Feb. 21.
At the Capitol, the cultural advocates packed a hearing room, where the House
Education Committee voted unanimously in favor of legislation to create the Iowa
Cultural Trust. This bill, H.F. 2288, now goes to the full House for approval.
“The events that took place at the Capitol today demonstrate how strongly Iowans
feel about the cultural climate of their communities,” said Anita Walker, Director
of the Department of Cultural Affairs. “Legislators took an important step in
supporting the work of our cultural organizations.”
The Cultural Trust legislation would create an endowment to support cultural organizations
across the state. It is designed to stimulate local investment in local cultural
institutions by matching that investment with a state contribution into the Cultural
Trust.
Governor Tom Vilsack, Rep. Chuck Larson (R-Cedar Rapids) and Sen. Mike Connolly
(D-Dubuque) joined hundreds of cultural supporters for a pep rally at the State
Historical Building before the march to the Capitol.
Governor Vilsack signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 21, 2002 Cultural Advocacy
Day in Iowa. The parade to the Capitol was led by more than 150 young people from
Des Moines and Council Bluffs. While icy roads kept some advocates from attending
the event, organizers reported representation from nearly every one of Iowa’s
50 Senate districts.
“Cultural Advocacy Day was indeed awesome,” said Bettie McKenzie of Mt. Pleasant.
“It was exciting and a great day for culture.”
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