Culture, the arts can stimulate new economy

IOWA FALLS-Emphasizing the arts, developing culture and celebrating history is not just a way for a people to pass the time or enjoy themselves. Tapping into our past and celebrating our creativity are ways to drive what is being called "a new economy."

Kent Thompson, Iowa Falls Citizen-Times

Those words from Iowa’s Director of Cultural Affairs, Anita Walker, might make some corporate CEOs or economic development experts sit up and take notice, but Walker says it is a fact of today’s society that strong, vibrant companies are looking for creative inviduals who can develop and visualize new vistas of human thought and expression.

"Clearly if Iowa is going to have a vibrant economy, we will need a rich environment that will attract the type of workforce and workers that will drive our communities in the future.

Companies are looking for innovative thinkers and creative minds. Companies want to locate where there is a rich source of these thinkers and they are attracted to the natural habitats of art of creative thought, which you are developing right here in Hardin County," Walker said. "In addition a lot of economies of the future will be driven by individuals who are enterpreneuers, innovators who will be running their own companies. They may be small. They may be the only employee, but they will be generating wealth through their efforts and creativity," Walker said.

Walker was in Iowa Falls at the invitation of Rod Scott, a member of the Iowa State Historic Preservation Commission and the Iowa Falls Historic Preservation Commission. Walker spent Dec. 17 touring the Steamboat Rock Antique Mall and newly-developed Greenbelt Artists Gallery, as well as the historic Dow House in Iowa Falls as guest of the Iowa Falls Historical Society and the Friends of Pat Clark Art Collection. She had a chance to tour the restoration progress at the Carnegie-Ellsworth Library Building, and capped the evening off with remarks and a meal at the historic Edgewood home.

Walker noted that quality of life issues including a close proximity to art and cultural events were the second leading consideration for persons looking to relocate for employment.

The state official mentioned that large companies such as Texas Instruments, Pioneer Hybrids and Rockwell International are recruiting creative thinkers, even people from music schools to develop programs and products for them.

More than a year ago, Walker enlisted the help of hundreds of Iowans to help establish some goals for Iowa to work towards by the year 2010. "The Imagine Iowa 2010 program recognizes how essential our history, our culture and the arts are for a vibrant and vigorous economy, for an enriching education for our children and for our ability to attract and keep people in our state. The arts, culture and history are resources to make our communities places people love to live. Imagine Iowa 2010 is a roadmap of how to get there," Walker said.

Among the objectives are:

Schools partnering with local cultural institutions for long-term class residencies.

Establishment of an Iowa Culture Day, patterned after Iowa History Day.

Have corporations sponsor artist- or historian-in-residence programs for their companies.

Develop interactive community centers for education and exchange of ideas.

Arts, history and the humanities are integral and integrated into educational curriculums.

Iowa schools are open year-round to the public for lifelong learning opportunities.

A $10 million Iowa Cultural Trust is created.

Local cultural organizations have the tools and skills to implement planned giving programs.

Business incubators exist for emerging cultural organizations.

Schools and governments find funds to support culture in their annual budgets.

A magazine or e-zine is created featuring opportunities for emerging artists and advertisments for cultural events around Iowa.

Young Iowans in leadership roles in Iowa’s cultural institutions.

Existing venues are utilized to promote culture in Iowa.

Strong political advocacy is initiated by young Iowans.

A cultural passport program is established.

Better relations are established between colleges and community colleges.

A State Cultural Alliance will be formed.

Baseline research conducted to assess the current state of culture in Iowa.

A cultural scorecard will be developed for tracking cultural growth in the state.

The Department of Cultural Affairs has established partnerships with state, federal and private agencies to integrate culture into programs.

Constituents ensure elected officials establish cultural programming and leadership as a priority.

Walker said it is evident that Hardin County and Iowa Falls are doing things to make culture come alive.

"It’s a pleasure to see what this area is doing to capitalize on a lot of its strengths; its natural beauty, it’s rich historic heritage, it’s vibrant cultural heritage. To see how the Carnegie Library building is being transformed into both an art gallery and a historic museum is wonderful. It’s truly a model for the rest of the state to follow. The Pat Clark art collection is going to attract people from not only outside the region, but outside this state. People will come to Iowa Falls to see this incredible collection," the cultural affairs director said.