The Iowa Arts Council strengthens and connects Iowa’s creative community through regional and statewide convenings that enable arts leaders to more effectively serve their communities.
 

STATEWIDE CONFERENCE 

The Iowa Arts Council hosts an annual statewide conference, alternating between a focus on fine arts education and the role of the arts, artists, and arts organizations in community development.
 
The Iowa Fine Arts Education Summit, held every other year, is the premiere statewide conference for K-12 fine arts teachers; nonprofit, college and university arts educators; and teaching artists to network, learn and explore ideas through Iowa’s Fine Arts Education Standards. It is presented in partnership with the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education.  
 
The 2025 Iowa Fine Arts Education Summit: Exploring the Artistic Processes will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. It will provide a deep dive into the four Artistic Processes: Create, Respond, Perform/Present/Produce and Connect, which are the basis of the Iowa Fine Arts Education Standards. Participants will leave the Summit with a better understanding of each process and ways in which they can better address each one in their classroom <
 
Call for 2025 Session Proposals is open now through  Monday, December 2, 2024.
Call for Proposals

The Iowa Arts Summit, held every other year, is the state’s leading professional development and networking event for Iowa’s arts and creative community. The Iowa Arts Summit brings together creatives, nonprofit professionals and community leaders for networking, learning and celebrating the arts in Iowa.

Details about the 2026 Iowa Arts Summit will be available in early 2025
 


REGIONAL ART FORUMS

The Iowa Arts Council is hosting seven Regional Arts Forums across Iowa this February and March 2025. These in-person events will provide 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.  

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 conferences is to identify opportunities and review possible changes related to programs that support arts and cultural enhancement in our state. Participants will make recommendations to the Arts Council, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the General Assembly regarding funding allocations and priorities for arts and cultural enhancement in our state.  

During each Forum, the Iowa Arts Council will provide an overview of their current programs and funding allocations and upcoming grants for state fiscal year 2026. 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 IEDA.  

Six individuals attending each Forum will be elected to attend the statewide Caucus to be held at the IEDA’s office in Des Moines on Friday, August 1, 2025. Please indicate on the registration form if you would like to be included on the ballot to represent your region. Regional Arts Forum attendees will vote on their six representatives at the Forum event.  

The Forums are free and open to the public. Registration for the event is highly encouraged. 
Register Here

Davenport
Thursday, February 27, 2025
1 – 4 p.m.
German American Heritage Center, 712 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802 

Clarinda
Monday, March 3, 2025
1 – 4 p.m.
Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum, 300 N 16th St, Clarinda, IA 51632 

Dubuque
Thursday, March 6, 2025 
1 – 4 p.m. 
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, 350 E 3rd St, Dubuque, IA 52001 

Oskaloosa
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
George Daily Auditorium, 1800 N 3rd St, Oskaloosa, IA 52577 

Charles City
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
Charles City Arts Center, 301 N Jackson St, Charles City, IA 50616 

Le Mars
Friday, March 28, 2025 
1 – 4 p.m. 
Le Mars Art Center, 200 Central Ave SE, Le Mars, IA 51031 

Ames 
Friday, April 4, 2025 
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
Reiman Gardens, 1497 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011