Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs - Virtual Town Hall Presentation and Q&A

​Dear colleagues and friends,
 
As Iowa's creative sector adapts to the longer-than-expected pandemic, we’ve been inspired by artists, arts and cultural organizations, and creative entrepreneurs across the state.
 
To keep moving forward, the Iowa Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts are co-hosting an Iowa-focused meeting to spread the word about grants and other resources available from state and national arts funders.
 
After the opening presentation, participants can stick around for a moderated question-and-answer session. This is a great chance to ask questions and share insights so we can connect you with the resources you need to keep doing what you do best – building culturally vibrant communities across Iowa.

REGISTER: Virtual Town Hall, 10-11 a.m. Aug. 18

​Looking forward to seeing you there,
 
Chris Kramer
Director, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
 
David Schmitz
Administrator, Iowa Arts Council

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​Iowa Nonprofit Recovery Fund
 
Governor Kim Reynolds has allocated federal CARES Act funds to assist Iowa nonprofits that have been affected by Covid-19. The Iowa Nonprofit Recovery Fund, administered by Volunteer Iowa and the Iowa Economic Development Authority, provides short-term relief for organizations with annual revenues that exceed $25,000 and are facing economic challenges during the pandemic. Apply online by Aug. 14.

Learn More

Emergency Grants for Historical Resources
 
If a historic building, museum or collection in your area was damaged by Monday’s storms, it may be eligible for an emergency grant through the Historical Resource Development Program, which is overseen by the State Historical Society of Iowa. Limited funds for all kinds of historical resources are available throughout the year, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn More

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Arts & Culture Research

What do audiences, patrons and visitors need to feel comfortable enough to return to venues during or after the pandemic? New nationwide research about this question and many others is available from Colleen Dilenschneider, whose IMPACT Experience company provides market research specifically for cultural organizations.

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Iowa Arts Summit recap
 
More than 240 Iowans tuned in last week to the virtual Iowa Arts Summit to learn new strategies to tackle this year’s extraordinary challenges, to sharpen tools for the ongoing work of business planning and arts advocacy – and even to have a little fun. If you missed the summit, or want to catch any of the sessions you missed, stay tuned. We’ll send you links to all the recordings in the next couple of weeks.

Learn More

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Three Big Wins

We keep hearing heartening stories about arts and cultural groups that are figuring out how to offer successful events during the pandemic, when live concerts and shows help us feel connected even when we’re physically apart. Leaders from Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Dubuque and Sioux City offered some terrific examples during a session at the Iowa Arts Summit, and here are three more:
 

• Iowa State Center, the performing arts hub at Iowa State University, moved its popular singer/songwriter series, called “The Goldfinch Room,” outside in order to continue supporting local musicians and fans. Up next: Fred Love on Aug. 18. (Thanks to ISC Executive Director Tammy Koolbeck for letting us know!)

 

• The Figge Art Museum in Davenport is rounding out a 15-day blitz of virtual performances, classes, behind-the-scenes tours, artist demonstrations and more to celebrate its 15th anniversary.

 

• Des Moines Area Community College’s Ankeny Theatre, a division of the college’s Simon Estes School of Fine Arts, rehearsed and recorded the world premiere of a radio play called “Willy Beau Dilly” with complete social distancing. You can listen to it for free online. (Thanks to director Carl Lindberg for the tip!)

 
If you’ve figured out how to offer cultural programs during the pandemic – or you know an organization that has – please let us know. We’d love to share some inspiring examples.

Contact Us

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VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT IOWACULTURE.GOV

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