Iowans can help the state Department of Cultural Affairs plan its future. Today it began a month-long series of "community conversations" across the state.
As director, Mary Cownie oversees the State Historical Society, Iowa Film Office, and the Iowa Arts Council. And she wants to hear what state residents think about her department - its outreach programs, grants, and what types of projects it should be involved in. The first community meeting was held today in Fort Dodge.
Cownie emphasizes that all Iowans are touched in some way by the arts, history, and culture, and how important they all are to the state's economy.
After stopping in Fort Dodge and Mason City today, she'll travel to Decorah and Dubuque Tuesday - the Dubuque meeting begins at 5 pm at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. A Quad Cities meeting will be held Thursday from 5 to 7 pm at the Figge Art Museuam in Davenport, with meetings next week in Coralville (7/24) and Muscatine (7/25).