A woman in New Orleans says she's just "paying it forward." The Cedar Rapids theater community will be getting a bit of a financial boost from a cabaret owner in "the Big Easy." A cabaret club in New York City threw a benefit concert back in September of 2005 and sent the money … [Read more...]
State officials surveying damage to cultural and historic sites
State officials are trying to determine the extent of damage done to cultural and historic assets across Iowa during last month's flooding. Jeff Morgan, spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, is urging Iowans - especially those in the arts community, to go on-line and fill out a … [Read more...]
Des Moines Arts Festival features 175 professional artists
One of the nation's top ten arts festivals is entering its second day in Iowa's largest city. The Des Moines Arts Festival is being held in the "high and dry" end of downtown, many blocks from any of the flooded rivers. Stephen King, the fest's executive director, is expecting up to a … [Read more...]
Today is "Cultural Advocacy Day"
Today is Cultural Advocacy Day in Iowa, as activists hope to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of culture, history and the arts. Tom Smull is president of the Iowa Culture Coalition , which is organizing the day's events. Smull says: "We're trying to promote to Iowans that … [Read more...]
Don’t have a gift, write a poem for your sweetheart
For Iowans who are still pondering what to get their sweetheart on this Valentine's Day, consider putting a pen to paper and stringing together some thoughts in a poem about your loved one. Iowa native and former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser says everyone should give poetry a shot. "I think … [Read more...]
Online registry lists hundreds of Iowa artists, from sculptors to storytellers
Iowans who are looking to hire a potter, a painter, a folk singer or any other type of artisan now have one-stop shopping on the Internet. The Iowa Arts Council has compiled an on-line list of hundreds of Iowa artists, from mimes to ballerinas and from sculptors to storytellers. Council … [Read more...]
Greenfield celebrates its 150th anniversary this weekend
The southwest Iowa community of Greenfield is celebrating Independence Day this weekend while also marking the town's 150th anniversary. Parade coordinator Jennifer Garside says the sesquicentennial events get underway this (Saturday) morning with a parade featuring some 150 entries, including 30 … [Read more...]
Cedar Rapids’ "15 in 5" program draws heaps of suggestions
Cedar Rapids area leaders asked for ideas on improving the quality of life and they've received heaps of suggestions from residents. Dan Baldwin, president of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, says they expected maybe a thousand responses -- and got 35-hundred. Baldwin says once the … [Read more...]
Iowa Art now on sale on-line
There's now a way to find the works of your favorite Iowa artist. An Internet gallery, "Buy Iowa Art-dot-com," had its debut Wednesday. Iowa Arts Council administrator Mary Sundet Jones says it'll both show and sell the work. Jones says it's a lot of work for an individual artist to set up a … [Read more...]
Dubuque and Davenport market tourism together
Two eastern Iowa communities are teaming up to bring in more tourism dollars. The Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau have formed a partnership to market attractions in both areas. Joe Taylor is president of the Quad Cities' group and says it's a … [Read more...]