August 28, 2024 (Des Moines, IA) The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today announced awards of $1,678,389 from seven grant programs to strengthen the arts, culture and creative industries across the state and provide Iowans with access to enriching cultural experiences.
IEDA approved 173 awards to Iowa organizations and Iowans in more than 60 communities from the Art Project Grant Program, Cultural Capacity Building Grant Program, Cultural Leadership Partners Program, Greenlight Grant Program, Iowa Artist Fellowship Program, Iowa Community Cultural Grant Program and Iowa Screenwriters Grant Program.
The matching grants leverage local and private investment and support a wide range of creative projects in Iowa schools, arts and cultural venues and communities. Projects awarded funding range from arts and cultural festivals and live theatre performances to exhibitions, film productions and community public art projects.
"Arts and culture are integral to economic vitality," said IEDA Director Debi Durham. "They not only drive growth within our communities but also enhance the quality of life, making our state a more attractive destination for both visitors and new residents."
Among the grant recipients:
- The Iowa Bandmasters Association, a statewide music education organization based in Dakota City, will utilize a $10,000 award to create and gift an original concert band work to the Perry Schools and community, honoring the resilience of Perry’s citizens as they continue to recover from the tragic events of January 4, 2024.
- With its $4,000 award, the Orange City Arts Council will host celebrated artist and educator Kuniko Yamamoto. She will share Japanese art and culture, storytelling, origami and music with local students and the public.
- The Grinnell Area Arts Council, in collaboration with Iowa artist Isaac Campbell, will use its $10,000 award to install six murals throughout its downtown that highlight important historical photographs and figures in the community’s history.
- Iowa filmmaker Beth Howard will use her $39,900 award to complete the documentary film “Pieowa,” which celebrates the outsized role that pie has played in Iowa’s culture and communities.
A full list of grant recipients by community can be found here. The grants are administered by the Iowa Arts Council and Produce Iowa, the State Office of Film and Media, both part of the IEDA. Funding is made possible by an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature and a matching state partnership grant from the federal National Endowment for the Arts.
Arts and cultural production contributed nearly $5 billion to Iowa’s economy last year and accounted for nearly 42,000 jobs, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Iowa’s leading arts, cultural and heritage venues also serve as tourism attractions and anchors to vibrant downtowns, generating local spending and supporting Iowa companies in their efforts to attract talent by enhancing Iowans' quality of life. Learn more about the IEDA and Iowa Arts and Culture at culture.iowaeda.com.
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