Touring Art groups revived

Three small Iowa communities will be visited by groups of touring artists in the coming months as the state revives its Touring Arts Teams. Those teams of seven artists will go into each of the communities for an intensive two days of teaching free courses and performing free shows.Julie Bailey, community development coordinator at the Iowa Arts Council, says the artists will do workshops and performances as a way to present the arts to the small towns. Bailey says the various teams will be bringing all sorts of art to the rural communities.The teams include seven artists and will differ from community to community, but will draw from a group that includes a dancer, a playwright, musicians, puppeteers, and a mime. Bailey says the free workshops being offered in the towns will each be able to handle up to 75 students. The southwest Iowa town of Clearfield will be the first town to host a team April 29 and 30, then the south-central town of Corydon on May 10 and 11, and finally, the northeastern Iowa town of Elma on June 13 and 14. Bailey says it’s hoped more towns can be added to the list.