Iowa Arts & Culture

08/27/2026

🎉Congratulations to the Fiscical Year 2027 Iowa Artist Fellows! 🎉The Iowa Arts Council is proud to recognize five exceptional Iowa artists whose creativity, innovation, and dedication to their craft enrich communities across our state.

Through the Iowa Artist Fellowship, these artists receive support to advance their artistic practice and continue making meaningful contributions to Iowa's vibrant creative landscape.

Please join us in congratulating our FY27 Iowa Artist Fellows: 🎨Shelby Prindaville — Interdisciplinary/Painting/Ceramics | Sioux City (Woodbury County) 💃 Lovar Kidd — Interdisciplinary/Dance | Cedar Rapids (Linn County) 🗿 Thomas Riefe — Sculpture | Davenport (Scott County) 🎥 Charles Borowicz — Experimental/Media | Des Moines (Polk County) 🧵Judy Bales — Experimental/Fiber | Fairfield (Jefferson County)

Congratulations to this outstanding group of artists! We look forward to seeing how your work continues to inspire, challenge, and strengthen Iowa's creative communities. 🎉

https://bit.ly/4767SJc

08/26/2026

In Independence, the new “Celebrate Our Spirit” mural is already doing what great community art does: bringing people together, adding energy to downtown and giving people another reason to stop and appreciate the place they call home.

Finished just before RAGBRAI, the mural quickly became a photo stop for riders passing through town.

But the mural is about more than the places we recognize. It reflects the people, stories and community pride that make Independence what it is.

That’s the power of public art. It can transform a space while celebrating the identity and spirit of a community.

Congratulations to everyone who brought “Celebrate Our Spirit” to life, including community leaders and artist Jenna Brownlee, who created something Independence can be proud of for years to come.

08/26/2026

🎬 Is your Iowa film festival ready to join our statewide network? Applications are now open to become a Certified Iowa Film Festival! Certification recognizes established film festivals that demonstrate professionalism, attract filmmakers and film enthusiasts, and serve as important cultural events in their communities. Certified festivals receive recognition as part of Iowa's growing film ecosystem, and certification is valid for three years. 📅

Applications will be accepted through the end of 2026 but submit by September to be included in the upcoming Iowa Film Festival Road Map. If your festival has already completed a successful year and his ready to take the next step, we encourage you to apply through the SlideRoom portal. 🎥

Learn more and apply today! https://bit.ly/4tffvoR

08/25/2026

🌟Congratulations to Iowa Arts Council grantee George Daily Community Auditorium in Oskaloosa for being featured by Arts Midwest! The recent Arts Midwest article, The Power of Arts Partnerships in Rural Places, highlights how George Daily Community Auditorium has become a model for collaboration — bringing together schools, artists, nonprofits, businesses, and community members to create meaningful arts experiences that strengthen their region.

🎭Their story is a wonderful example of how partnerships can expand access to the arts and enrich rural communities across Iowa and the Midwest. We're proud to support organizations like George Daily Community Auditorium that demonstrate the power of arts to connect people, inspire creativity, and build vibrant communities. 📖

Read the full Arts Midwest story to learn more about their inspiring work.

With a bit of buy-in and a commitment to community, small towns can come together around arts and culture in their own backyard.

08/22/2026

📣 Mark your calendars! The Iowa Arts Council is bringing the conversation to communities across the state with six Regional Arts Forums this September and October. These FREE, in-person gatherings are an opportunity for artists, arts organizations, civic leaders, and community members to connect, share ideas, and help shape the future of arts and culture in Iowa.

Together, we'll discuss opportunities to strengthen our creative communities and explore programs that support arts and cultural development statewide. 📍Mason City — September 10 📍 Council Bluffs — September 15 📍 Coralville — September 21 📍 Sioux City — October 1 📍 Elkader — October 15 📍 Urbandale — October 22 Whether you're an artist, educator, nonprofit leader, local official, or arts advocate, your voice matters. 🎟️

The forums are free and open to the public, and advanced registration is encouraged. Learn more about each Regional Arts Forum and register today on our website!

https://bit.ly/4gnmreL

08/21/2026

💙 New funding opportunity for Iowa arts and community partners! The Iowa Arts Council is now accepting applications for a special Arts and Health funding round supporting projects that bring together Iowa artists and communities to advance health, well-being, and quality of life through the arts. Eligible projects should align with the Iowa Arts Council's strategic goal of promoting arts programming that strengthens individual and community health and well-being.

📅 Application deadline: September 1, 2026 📅

Eligible Funding Period: November 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 ✨ If you're planning a project that uses the arts to improve health and wellness in your community, we encourage you to apply. Learn more and submit your application today!

https://bit.ly/3UJhK7H

08/20/2026

Invest in your creative future this fall. 🍂 The Iowa Arts Council invites artists from all disciplines to apply for the 2026 Iowa Artist Retreat in Grinnell, Iowa. This immersive professional development experience will help artists: ✨Clarify their artistic practice ✨ Explore revenue opportunities ✨Build and engage audiences ✨ Navigate financial and tax systems, ✨ Set measurable goals for growth!

Selected participants will join artists from across the state for two days of connection, learning and creative community.
📅 Retreat dates: November 6-7 📅 Application deadline: September 1, 2026

https://bit.ly/4hDZFBu

07/30/2026

The Iowa Arts Council is proud to recognize Beckett Hunzleman of Waverly, Iowa as a 2026 Scholarship for the Arts recipient. A graduating senior at Waverly-Shell Rock High School, Beckett has demonstrated exceptional dedication to music through his commitment to jazz performance and artistic excellence. This fall, he will attend the University of Northern Iowa to pursue a degree in Music Performance with an emphasis in Jazz music. Through years of study, practice and performance, Beckett has cultivated his talent while contributing to Iowa's vibrant arts community. His passion for jazz and commitment to artistic growth exemplify the creativity, discipline and perseverance celebrated through the Scholarship for the Arts program. Congratulations, Beckett! We look forward to following your musical journey and seeing the impact you make as an artist and performer.

07/30/2026

⭐Military families can explore museums across the country for free this summer through the Blue Star Museums program, running May 16-September 7, 2026. Led by the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, the program provides free admission for actively serving military members and their families at participating museums, historic sites, botanical gardens, zoos, aquariums, and more nationwide. Whether close to home or during summer travels, Blue Star Museums offer meaningful opportunities to connect through arts, culture, history and community.

Find participating museums and learn more at https://bit.ly/4fuCGaQ.

07/29/2026

Invest in your creative future. 🌱The Iowa Arts Council's new Artist Professional Development Grant helps Iowa artists grow their careers, strengthen their creative practices and expand their professional skills through learning and development opportunities. Whether you're looking to attend a workshop, work with a mentor, develop business skills or advance your artistic practice, this opportunity is designed to support your next step. 🎨✨

Applications are open now and reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. https://bit.ly/4vwn9ME