AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University is the site of the Iowa Arts Council’s final 2025 Regional Arts Forum, scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, April 4, at Reiman Gardens in Ames.

The event provides an opportunity for local artists, arts and civic leaders and community members to gather and discuss opportunities for strengthening arts and culture in their region and across the state.

Regional forums have been held in Davenport, Clarinda, Dubuque and Oskaloosa, with remaining events scheduled in Charles City (9 a.m.–noon March 25), Le Mars (1–4 p.m. March 28) and Ames.

This year’s forums align with the Iowa Arts Caucus, which the Iowa Arts Council hosts every four years. The purpose of the caucus and regional forums is to identify opportunities and review possible changes related to programs that support arts and cultural enhancement in Iowa.

What to expect

ISU College of Design Dean Luis Rico-Gutierrez will welcome attendees at the beginning of the Ames event. During the forum, the Iowa Arts Council will provide an overview of current programs and priorities as well as upcoming grant opportunities and changes for state fiscal year 2026.

Six regional representatives will be elected from among each event’s attendees. The representatives will receive a short training from Iowa Arts Council staff at the event on how to lead the small group discussions.

Attendees will then break into small groups to discuss opportunities to improve or enhance the quality of programs currently offered by the Iowa Arts Council and Iowa Economic Development Authority, and develop recommendations to share with the full group of participants. These recommendations will then be crafted into a final regional resolution.

Regional representatives also will attend the statewide caucus to be held Friday, Aug. 1, at IEDA’s office in Des Moines, where they will share recommendations with the Iowa Arts Council, IEDA and General Assembly regarding funding allocations and priorities for arts and cultural enhancement in Iowa.

How to register

Forums are free and open to the public. Registration is highly encouraged. Register online in advance and select the Ames location. When you register, you can indicate interest in being included on the ballot for the election of regional representatives.

Contacts

Jennie Knoebel, Senior Grants and Programs Manager, Iowa Arts Council, 612-865-9633, jennie.knoebel@iowaeda.com
Sandra Norvell, Research Coordinator, ISU Institute for Design Research and Outreach, snorvell@iastate.edu
Heather Sauer, Director of Strategic Communications, ISU College of Design, hsauer@iastate.edu

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