Cultural, arts and history advocates to rally, march to Capitol
Cultural Advocacy Day Feb. 18; DCA nonprofit workshop Feb. 19
For Immediate Release February 1, 2008
(DES MOINES, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs will host Cultural Advocacy Day Feb. 18 at the State Historical Building, where cultural, arts and history supporters will meet and rally before marching to the State Capitol. All events are free and open to the public.
With the theme “Time for Culture,” Cultural Advocacy Day – organized by the Iowa Cultural Coalition – begins at 9 a.m. at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines. Participants will receive advocacy training, review ICC’s legislative platform and learn how to contact legislators.
The rally will be at 11 a.m., followed by a march at noon to the State Capitol. Throughout the morning, participants can enjoy entertainment while making large, bright signs to carry to the Capitol during the march.
From noon to 3 p.m., advocates will have a chance to visit with legislators and invite them to help create a new piece of public art in the Capitol Rotunda while enjoying more entertainment.
Free workshops at the Historical Building will begin at 3 p.m., including a roundtable discussion about culture, arts and history in Iowa; a review of federal formula grant initiatives; and how to secure sponsorships for nonprofit organizations – from $5,000 to $50,000.
At 5:30 p.m., advocates are invited to visit with legislators at a Legislative Reception at the Grand Piano Bistro, 506 E. Grand. Participants are encouraged to invite their legislators to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, beverages and live musical performances from “CAUCUS! The Musical” and jazz musician Roxi Copland.
In conjunction with CAD, DCA will sponsor an “IOWA Principals and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence” workshop 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 19 for nonprofit organizations.
The free workshop, presented by Sandy Boyd and Richard Koontz of the Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, will help management, staff, board members, volunteers and professional association employees learn how to improve their nonprofit organizations.
People planning to attend CAD Feb. 18 and/or the Nonprofit Workshop Feb. 19 are encouraged to contact Oxana Bedore at mobedore@smunet.net with name, organization (if applicable), address, phone and category of culture (artist, musician, administrator, preservationist, supporter, etc.) by Friday, Feb. 15.
Participants needing hotel reservations may contact the Holiday Inn Downtown at Mercy Campus, (515) 283-0151. Mention the Iowa Cultural Coalition and receive the room rate of $85 for Feb. 18 only. A shuttle will be provided from the hotel to the State Historical Building.
Visit www.iowaculturalcoalition.org for updates on Cultural Advocacy Day.
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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