May 9, 2024 (DES MOINES) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced $250,000 in Inspire Iowa grants to projects in Linn, Polk, Scott, Shelby and Woodbury counties. Included among the project awards was the Museum of Danish America, in Elk Horn (Shelby County). Their Danish Ceramics: Beyond Blue and White Exhibition project was awarded $25,000 towards the total project cost of $84,000. The grant funds will support the costs of presenting a major exhibition featuring three centuries of Danish ceramic art and attracting new visitors to Elk Horn before the exhibit travels outside of the Midwest.

Elsewhere in western Iowa, the Sioux City Art Center / Art Center Association of Sioux City (Woodbury County), was awarded $40,000 toward the $140,475 cost of their project: Razzle Dazzle building art wraps for ArtSplash anniversary. This project supports costs and promotion of Razzle Dazzle, a site-specific textile sculpture on the Art Center’s building that coincides with the 30th annual ArtSplash, the Art Center’s signature annual outdoor art festival. See a list of the other projects receiving Inspire Iowa grants, HERE.

The Inspire Iowa program was launched by the Iowa Tourism Office and Iowa Arts Council, both divisions of the IEDA, to elevate the perception of Iowa as a cultural destination and promote out-of-state visits and extended stays, which in turn can generate additional local spending and support economic growth. A total of $250,000 in program funding was available for Fiscal Year 2024.

Officials say the Iowa Tourism Office works closely with community partners, attractions and events, to promote the state’s beautifully vast scenery and unique history. Tourism in Iowa generated $6.9 billion in expenditures in 2022, with more than $1.1 billion supporting state and local governments, while employing a total of 68,607 people statewide. Iowa nonprofit arts and cultural organizations generate more than $750 million of economic impact annually, while supporting the broader hospitality industry and attracting new visitors to our state.

For more information on tourism or arts and culture in Iowa, visit traveliowa.com or culture.iowaeda.com