north river region of warren county, Iowa - ARTs & Culture plan
The North River Arts Council has a vision to connect their region of Warren County through collective aspirations for the arts, community events and other ways of building social cohesion.
The towns in the region exist on the rural edge of Des Moines, with agricultural production visible in all directions. In this context, there are so many roles for artists – expressing common emotions, revealing hidden truths and sharing novel viewpoints.
The North River plan proposes clear action steps for both the Arts Council and each city: providing ways to engage artists to reach collective goals. It sets up the arts as a vehicle to interpret and promote the region: aiming for community attachment and growth. Residents are asking for social engagement and artists are well-suited to provide it
Project
North River region of Warren County, IA
Arts & Culture Plan
assignment
Research & Strategy
PARTNERS
Sponsored by the North River Arts Council with funding from the cities of Carlisle, Indianola and Norwalk.
Cities that integrate art, design, and culture while simultaneously investing in infrastructure and amenities gain the distinction and competitive advantage required for recruitment and retention in workforce and business development.
CONNECTING PEOPLE TO PLACE
The opportunity to create a shared, regional culture is wide open.
Public art can be realized through a variety of installations like murals and sculptures but can also include work on different time scales from temporary to semi-permanent to permanent such as workshops or pop-up activations.
our recommendations
Each community in North River is advancing their own arts and culture initiatives yet there is a benefit in supporting each other as a region. The North River Arts Council could work with Warren County Economic Development to mutually advance community character goals as a region. The North River Arts Council could serve as a convener for the area arts committees as well as the Hometown Pride groups which often have arts and culture related activities.
+ Goal: Creative engagement to support main streets
+ Goal: Create Regional Identity
+ Goal: Placemaking in Parks & Trails
+ Goal: North & Middle Rivers Greenway