Cultural delegates from across the state worked hard to review and revise the
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs' Imagine Iowa 2010 goals that were set in
2001.
What follows is a summary of the new goals & objectives that stem from the work of the delegates and the cultural community in the fall of 2004 and that will become the initiatives for the DCA in the next four years.
Imagine Iowa 2010 Vision Statement: In 2010, Iowa will be distinguished as a national leader in culture with support for an environment that allows the arts, history, humanities and sciences to thrive.
Goals & Objectives (adopted Nov. 8, 2004)
1. Advocacy & Cultural Leadership: Iowa leadership—elected,
corporate and community —demands investment in Iowa’s cultural resources.
• Conduct a survey of Iowa’s cultural organizations and detail their
economic impact – a “cultural scorecard.”
• Authorize a 1 cent increase in the cap for hotel/motel tax with additional
revenues exclusively for cultural initiatives.
• Annually publish cultural voting records of elected officials at every
level.
2. Community Development & Cultural Tourism: Iowa communities are
experiencing economic vitality driven by a diverse, exciting cultural environment.
• Create a summit on the importance of arts & culture as economic development
engines. Targeted participants would include professional, business, private,
and service club sectors.
• Create a new image and brand to identify arts and culture in Iowa (e.g.
- "Art grown in Iowa“).
• Expand statewide, culturally dedicated internet and print market penetration,
both within (local) and outside (global) each community.
• Establish a "tax-free weekend" for art and cultural purchases,
to encourage cultural consumerism.
3. Cultural Workers as Entrepreneurs: Iowa is a place where cultural
workers can be financially successful and are recognized as a significant part
of the economy.
• Cultural worker tax incentives at local & state level by 2008 (e.g.
– income tax exemption, property tax abatement).
• Form an association of artists & cultural workers offering group health
insurance and other benefits by 2008.
4. Education: Iowa is a national leader in cultural education.
• At least 50 school districts will establish at least one new school-community
collaboration (business-school, arts organization-school, etc.) each year by 2008.
• Establish and implement an Iowa Studies course (including history, arts,
culture, diversity, humanities) in 10 new school districts by 2008.
• At least 20 school districts increase funding of arts, music and other
cultural opportunities by 20% by 2008.
5. Financial Planning: Iowa cultural organizations are vigorous, healthy,
entrepreneurial and financially sound.
• Create a dedicated funding stream to achieve a $10 million Cultural Trust
in 5 years, to include a component that supports organizational stabilization.
• Create significant financial incentives for at least 100 Cultural &
Entertainment Districts, such as sales tax exemptions, rehabilitation tax credits,
property tax abatements, hotel/motel tax dedications, and income tax exemptions
or credits.
• Create at least 10 additional local "percent for public art"
programs.
• Establish a Governor's awards program to recognize local financial support
of cultural organizations and endeavors, by corporations, trusts, small businesses
and individuals.
7. Marketing & Audience Development: Iowans of all ages enthusiastically
participate in cultural activities.
• Iowa Cultural Coalition designs a blueprint for—and promotes—development
of community cultural alliances statewide.
• Develop, promote & secure adequate private funding for a statewide
cultural web site, such as the Iowa Cultural Opportunity Network.
• Create a best practices manual for promoting to younger audiences and
volunteers.
• Establish a cultural co-op to leverage media purchasing power.
8. Young Iowans: Young people are involved, engaged and committed to
Iowa culture.
• The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs will allocate one dedicated part-time
staff person to oversee and reorganize the Young Iowans Cultural Council program,
to include a new purpose, membership development, sustainable planning, and an
annual networking conference.
• Inventory internship opportunities available at arts and cultural organizations
and promote these on the DCA and YICC websites.
• Establish a grant program to support 5 paid internships for applicable
organizations yearly.
• 10% of DCA grant funds issued to arts and cultural initiatives will require
youth leadership development and involvement.
6. Historic Preservation & Documentation: Iowa is recognized for
its dynamic, creative approach to the preservation of its cultural heritage and
ease of public access to historic documents, artifacts and resources.
• Provide state training for local archivists, to establish and support
local archives.
• Double allowable historic preservation tax credits, and make them more
equitable for both residential and commercial projects.
• Establish an annual public education program to provide training about
historic preservation for Certified Local Governments, property owners, real estate
firms, lenders and other professionals.
• Implement a "smart" building code for historic structures.
• Lock in full funding for the REAP program, at least through 2010.
