Organizations
Marshall County has a long history of support for the arts. There is an amazing amount and variety arts and culture organizations. The Alliance is dedicated to serving these
organizations.
American Association of University Women
3700 South Center Street
Marshalltown, IA 50156
641-752-5894
www.aauwia.org
Contact: Dr. Laura Browne
Founded: Marshalltown Branch – 1920
Parent Organization - 1881
Mission: To promote equity for women, education and self-development over the lifespan, and positive societal change.
American Association of University Women has a long history of benefiting the community. The Central Iowa Art Association and the Mental Health Clinic (now called Center Associates) grew out of projects sponsored by this organization. Scholarships for women to attend Marshalltown Community College are provided, as well as other mission-driven action projects. An overall goal for this group is helping women find success through education. A new initiative is Latinas al Éxito – Latinas for Success – which provides an alliance between Latina professionals in the community and eighth-grade Hispanic girls.
Arts and Children Together
2017 Elmcrest Drive
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-753-6640
Sue Miller, Board President
Founded: 1984
Mission: To provide artistic experiences to all public elementary students in Marshalltown.
Arts and Children Together is a volunteer presenting arts organization dedicated to providing artistic experiences within a school setting. This organization brings artists to Marshalltown public and private schools twice a year. Students are taught respect for artists, appropriate behavior during performances and are exposed to a wide variety of artistic endeavors with an educational emphasis. Funding is provided by the public and private schools.
Assistance League
PO Box 3
Marshalltown, IA 50158
Contact: Linn McCarville, President
Founded: 1938
Mission: To foster interest among its members in the welfare of the community and to make efficient their volunteer services.
Assistance League serves a variety of functions within the community. One function is to raise money that will later be turned back to the community for different fundraising efforts. Since its inception, over $800,000 has been given to local causes. Another function is to provide volunteer support throughout the community. A few of the organization’s many efforts include: providing theater experiences for K-6th graders through the Missoula Children’s Theater, volunteer service for other organizations (i.e. Box Office management for the Community Theater) and a periodic clean up of Turtle Park. A new project for the Assistance League is researching fundraising plans for the Marshalltown Public Library. A newer, ongoing project is picking up cans for recycling from local businesses and individuals, and donating the proceeds to local efforts. Due to the intense nature of membership, new members are invited to join this organization. Member Deb Heil commented, “It’s always exciting, challenging and rewarding to work with this group of ladies.”
Central Iowa Art Association
Fisher Community Center
709 South Center Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-753-9013
www.CentralIowaArtAssociation.com
Contact: Marti Jo Ferneau, Director
Founded: 1946
Mission: To educate and instruct all ages, races and religions in the community without discrimination. To provide art activities for those with special needs. To conduct classes and workshops explaining techniques of art. To stimulate and encourage recreation in the arts for all people. To foster art awareness through social activities which will develop the quality of life in the community.
Programs Offered: Art classes, workshops, open studios, memberships, art supply store, art reference library, art gallery, gift shop, docent tours of art collections, field trips to art venues, annual art fair, annual craft fair, art camp, Beaux Art Ball, Art Camp – a day summer camp for children 8-18, Art Trek – workshops for children.
The Central Iowa Art Association (CIAA) considers itself the “New CIAA” due to the revitalization of the organization. Positive changes include: improvement of existing programs, resurrection of past programs and the creation of new programs. The board and other volunteers are greatly enthusiastic. A future goal includes increasing awareness of the organization and its offerings through community involvement and activities.
Community Y
108 Washington Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-752-8658
www.ymca-ywca.org
Contact: Carol Hibbs, Associate Director
Mandy Gallentine, Youth Director
Founded: YMCA – 1876, YWCA – 1909,
Merged to the Community Y - 1996
Mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
Programs Offered: The Community Y offers health and wellness programs, youth and adult sports, aquatics, day camps and travel. YARTS focuses on drama, dance and the visual arts for youth and adults. New programming features art experiences as an early childhood play class (ages 2-5 yrs.) “Messy Munchkins” and “Rockin ’ Rugrats” is offered combining art and music while incorporating story time, exercise and fun with parents, friends and siblings. One major goal that the YARTS has for 2007 is to increase the public’s awareness of the art programs offered at the Community Y.
Conrad Main Street, Inc.
PO Box 414
204 East Center Street
Conrad, IA 50621
641-366-2108
www.conrad.govoffice.com
Contact: Ellen Brown, Board Chairperson
Founded: 1991
Mission: The Conrad Main Street Program will develop and implement a strategy in which the Conrad Community is marketed to specific targets that will result in an improved commercial mix, a stronger tax base, increased business and consumer confidence, commercial and residential development. It is a self-help program completely dependent upon local initiative and the community's desire to bring about change.
Programs include: The organization serves the community by providing business assistance, organizing festivals and events, and encouraging community pride. Lunch & Learn seminars and one-on-one business consultation; promotion of building lots and quality of life in Conrad; Community Block Party; Christmas in Conrad; Chili Cook-Off and a Golf Tournament are examples of what Main Street offers.
Conrad Main Street Inc. recently celebrated its 15th Anniversary with several events and a renewed commitment
from volunteers and the community. With a significant net gain in businesses and employees, Conrad is poised for a positive future. In 2007 the organization will start a community website and focus on increased volunteer recruitment and development.
Friends of the Marshalltown Public Library
36 North Center Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-754-5738
www.marshalltownlibrary.com
Contact: Susan Malloy, President
Founded: 1997
Mission: The Friends organization is established to promote the services and programs of the Marshalltown Public Library by fundraising and assisting in planning.
The Friends of Marshalltown Public Library spearheaded the new library campaign. For information on giving, please contact the library.
Guntkunst Public Library
309 2nd Street SE
State Center, IA 50247
641-483-2741
Contact: Catherine Noble, Director
Founded: 1972
Mission: To meet the needs of the community by serving as a gateway for children’s learning and provide popular, reference and entertainment materials.
The library takes part in community outreach through children’s programs, school district networks, storytimes, interlibrary loans and consistent hours of operation. Newer features include a teen advisory board and a one-room school house facility – used in cooperation with school district.
In 2007, the library will review its long-range goals and implement “Planning for Results” program, a community input program for library improvements. State Center is fortunate to have this unique library and grounds.
Hispanic Folk Dance Group
(one service of Youth & Shelter Services)
11 East State Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-753-3796
www.yss.ames.ia.us
Dance Coordinator: Sam Carbajal
Director of Youth and Shelter Services (YSS): David Hicks
Founded: YSS – 1982, Hispanic Dance Group – 1996
Mission Statement: Build up youth self-esteem through the practice of Hispanic traditional and popular dances. Preserve and transfer to new generations the Hispanic artistic and cultural values. Build up positive lines of communication and understanding between local and migrant communities through the arts.
Youth and Shelter Services provides nearly a dozen programs relating to prevention, counseling, transitional housing, outreach, follow up and crisis management for Hardin, Jasper, Marshall, Poweshiek and Tama Counties. Hispanic Outreach is one of the programs funded by the United Way.
Goals for the future include: continuing and strengthening Hispanic Outreach, seeking funding for YSS to provide more opportunity of contact and, if necessary, mediate differences between non-custodial parents and their children.
Hispanic Heritage Festival
511 Newcastle Road
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-691-6851
Contact: Sonia Hernandez, Co-Chair
Founded: 2004
The Hispanic Heritage Festival was created to provide an opportunity for the different cultures of Marshalltown to meet and share cultural experiences. It is also a welcoming gesture to the growing Hispanic and Latino cultures.
The Festival is a weekend event that provides opportunity to experience food, sports, music, dance and art to the Marshalltown community. It is ever expanding and improving. Last year’s event featured a film festival and soccer tournament. The 2007 planning committee is collaborating with the Latino Festival in Des Moines to share ideas and experiences. Volunteers are needed for the planning committee and to work the various events during the festival.
Historical Society of Marshall County
PO Box 304
202 East Church Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-752-6664
www.marshallhistory.org
Contact: Emmett Lampkin, Administrator
Founded: 1908
Mission: To provide a public link to Marshall County’s past, to collect, store and preserve artifacts and documents that were used or manufactured in Marshall County. To display, illustrate and interpret the County’s natural and human history.
The Historical Society provides museum and historic site access and document preservation available for research and educational programs. With a new director, the Historical Society is re-introducing a speaker series, expanding volunteer activities and opening the renovated Taylor School #4.
Iowa Valley Continuing Education*
3702 South Center Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-752-4645
www.IowaValley.com
Contact: Bettie Bolar, Vice Chancellor of Continuing Education and Training
Founded: 1965
Mission: Providing a myriad of lifelong learning opportunities.
Programs Offered: Professional development workshops, Adult basic education (GED) studies and testing, Alternative high schools, Leadership training, Non-profit Management Academy, Iowa Valley Adventures Challenge Course and Conference Center - 70% of courses are vocational, which help people find employment or improve a job-related skill.
A $35 million bond issue was passed for the Iowa Valley Community College District resulting in a Welding and Technology Education Center in Marshalltown. Continuing Education has earned, for three consecutive years, congressionally-directed grants from the Department of Labor. Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center and McFarland are partnering with Continuing Education to create Health Information Technology pathways. Continuing Education is also entering into an agreement with the Iowa Veterans Home for a series of training activities.
Goals for 2007 include offering career pathways in welding education and training leading to a variety of opportunities. An apprenticeship program with Lennox will also begin.
*Iowa Valley Continuing Education is part of the Iowa Valley Community College District.
Iowa Valley Education and Training Center*
206 East Church Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-75-1348
www.iavalley.cc.ia.us/ETC
Contact: Amy Vybiral, Director
Founded: 2003
Mission: To provide English as a Second Language (ESL), General Education Degree (GED), Adult Basic Education (ABE), citizenship classes and family literacy program to promote a love for reading.
Programs Offered: English as a Second Language (5 levels), Citizenship, GED (English and Spanish), Community Resource Seminars, Diversity Training, Spanish Classes and Language Software. Individualized computer instruction is also available for improving language skills, learning technical job skills and taking basic academic courses. The Training Center also provides bilingual Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) classes. Students who graduate from this program are eligible for scholarships to Marshalltown Community College’s Nursing (LPN) Program.
New in 2007 is more visibility to the community through presentations to businesses and service organizations. A major goal for the Training Center is increasing the transition of students to higher education opportunities.
*Iowa Valley Education and Training Center is part of the Iowa Valley Community College District.
Main Street Dance Academy / Main Street Dance Theater, Inc.
PO Box 737
6 West Main Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-752-3000
Contact: Carolyn Hoffman, Director
Founded: 2002
Mission: Main Street Dance Academy provides quality dance education to the Marshalltown community.
Programs Offered: Ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, baton, hip-hop, lyrical, pom-pon, clogging and performance company are offered to students ranging from pre-school to adult. Main Street Dance Academy is committed to a strong ballet curriculum that supports all other types of dance. The staff is dedicated to the artistic, physical, educational and mental attributes of dance instruction. Concern for safety, appropriateness of music, choreography and costuming are taken into account to ensure that student’s receive the highest quality dance education possible.
Main Street Dance Theater is a separate non-profit organization formed to provide educational and performance opportunities for dance students in Marshalltown and surrounding communities. The Nutcracker Ballet was the 2004 debut production of Main Street Dance Theater, which has also assisted in sponsoring performing arts events in Marshalltown.
Marshall County Arts & Culture Alliance
PO Box 386
Marshalltown, IA 51058
641-754-5616
www.ArtsAndCultureAlliance.org
(community calendar) www.MarshallCountyEvents.com
Contact: Beth Burkemper, Executive Director
Founded: 2004
Mission: The Marshall County Arts & Culture Alliance connects individuals to arts and culture by supporting, promoting and enriching existing opportunities and seeking new possibilities.
The Alliance provides advocacy for the arts and offers support to local artists and arts and culture organizations through training, marketing and collaborative opportunities. Through collaborations with the University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa, family-friendly performances and community outreach programs are also offered. The Alliance is interested in creating a “sense of place” for the Marshall County area through the efforts mentioned above. The Arts & Culture Alliance seeks volunteers who are interested in promoting awareness of the local arts and culture community.
Marshall County Conservation Board
2349 233rd Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
752-5490
www.co.marshall.ia.us/departments/conservation
Contact: Mike Stegmann, Director
Founded: 1958
Mission: To acquire, develop, maintain and make available to the inhabitants of the county public museums, parks, preserves, parkways, playgrounds, recreation centers, county forests, wildlife and other conservation areas, and to promote and preserve the health and general welfare of the people, to encourage the orderly development and conservation of natural resources and to cultivate good citizenship by providing adequate programs of public recreation.
Programs Offered: The Conservation Board is a nonprofit, government agency that accepts gifts and contributions for conservation uses. It offers 26 county parks encompassing approximately 1500 acres for public use. In addition there is a natural history interpretive staff which helps educate the public about the natural resources and supplements the district schools science curriculum. Also offered are programs about natural resources and are detailed in a free quarterly newsletter (available by calling the Conservation Board office).
Past accomplishments include: Grimes Farm and Conservation Center, which houses permanent and semi-permanent displays including over 200 mounted animals native to Marshall County, the bike/foot trail between Marshalltown and the Conservation Center and the Marietta Sand Prairie addition which consists of 229 acres of remnant and reconstructed native sand prairie.
Currently, the Conservation Board is fundraising to acquire 330 acres of forest, prairie and wetland habitat along the Iowa River 1/5 miles northwest of Marshalltown. Their goal is to complete fundraising in early 2007.
Marshalltown Central Business District – Main Street Program
216 East Main
Marshalltown, IA 50158
844-2001
www.marshalltownmainstreet.com
Contact: Marie Steenlage
Founded: 2002
Mission: Through broad based representation and a strong public/private partnership, we will continuously enhance Marshalltown’s central business district into THE destination for business, shoppers and travelers alike.
Programs Offered: Organizational and community support, business improvement, promotion and design all to enhance the Central Business District – Main Street area. One major goal for 2007 is to continue partnering with the city to implement the RDG City Plan. Downtown events continue to expand, as well as the restoration/rehabilitation of buildings and ongoing improvements to the streetscape.
Marshalltown Community College*
3700 South Center Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-752-7106
www.MarshalltownCommunityCollege.com
Contact: Dr. Barbara Burrows, Provost
Founded: 1927
Mission: Iowa Valley Community College District will provide leadership in education and services to prepare individuals and the community for the future.
Programs Offered: Associates degrees (2 year degrees) in Accounting, Broadcast Technology, Business Administration, Child Development, Computer Network Management, Computer Science, Construction Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Machine Trades, Marketing, Mechanical Design/Virtual Reality Technology, Nursing, Office Careers/Administrative Assisting and Entrepreneurial & Diversified Agriculture. One year degree programs include: Business Administration/Small Business Practitioner, Carpentry Practitioner, Child Development Practitioner, Computer Applications Specialist, Computer Science Practitioner, Dental Assisting, Machine Trades Practitioner, Nursing, and Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Agriculture.
A $35 million bond issue was passed for the Iowa Valley Community College District. The college will use its portion of the bond for expanding the campus. Construction of a Student Activity Center on the Marshalltown Community College campus will take place. The new facility will be used for intercollegiate athletic events and a variety of student activities and various community events. It will also enable the college to renovate/expand its music and fine arts classrooms.
Partnering with the Orpheum Board, the college will also renovate a portion of the historic Orpheum Theater to include a flexible black box theater (seating for 200) for MCC’s growing fine arts program. The project will also include a green room and broadcasting booth, three learning studios, an area for set design/construction, and an office. This project will expand the college’s current downtown presence, while supporting historic renovation in partnership with a local non-profit group. It will provide training space for Broadcast Technology students (lighting and sound technologies), as well as much-needed set design and construction space for the college and community theater groups.
*Marshalltown Community College is part of the Iowa Valley Community College District.
Marshalltown Community Concert Association
PO Box 249
Conrad, IA 50621
641-366-3093
www.ioweb.com/marshalltown/mcca.htm
Contact: Gloria Hanson
Founded: 1939
Mission: To bring a series of high quality performing artists to Marshalltown to enrich the lives of adults and children in our area.
Community Concert Association typically hosts 5 performances per year at the Marshalltown High School Auditorium. Featured artists come from across the nation and the world. Concerts showcase a wide range of theatrical experiences focusing on a variety of music forms: jazz, classical, vocal, etc. St. Petersburg Classic Ballet was hosted in 2006 to add variety to the line-up. The Association has collaborated with the Iowa State Barbeque Festival and hopes to continue the relationship.
Marshalltown Community Theatre
Fisher Community Center
PO Box 923
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-752- 0017
www.mctiowa.org
Contact: Gene Beach, Board President
Founded: 1962
Mission: To provide area residents the opportunity to see and partake in theater (on-stage and backstage.)
The Community Theatre has an outstanding reputation throughout the state and offers four regular productions and three out-of-season shows. Improvisational performances are also featured periodically. The current season features plays by Neil Simon. A major goal for 2007 is to increase attendance to the productions. The Community Theater welcomes and encourages people to try a theater experience.
Marshalltown Federation of Women’s Clubs
Binford House
PO Box 273
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-752-5820
Contact: Sheryl Readout
Marshalltown High School Art Department
1602 South 2nd Avenue
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-754-1130
Contact: Julie Bousom
Mission: Shaping tomorrow today.
The Art Department prepares students for future experiences – post-secondary education, good citizenship, business and artistic endeavors – by instilling an appreciation of the world around them that will be passed on to future generations.
Classes Offered: Beginning Visual Art Classes, Pottery, Design, Painting, 3-D Concepts, Graphic Design, Drawing and Art History. Other experiences offered are the District Show held in March at the Fisher Community Center and the Conference Show – a highly competitive show that requires the Art Department teachers to choose only 20-25 pieces of artwork from the 800+ students who attend art classes.
New to 2007 are informational visits to Miller Middle School. Through a presentation, middle school students are shown the art facilities and learn the structure of the art classes. This effort is designed to encourage greater participation in high school art classes.
The Art Department is excited to announce art classes have resumed for all first graders throughout the district. This re-establishes a legacy of art instruction for all students.
Marshalltown Public Library
36 North Center Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-754-5738
www.marshalltownlibrary.com
Contact: Carole Winkleblack, Director
Founded: 1898
Mission: The Marshalltown Public Library exists to provide the residents of Marshalltown and Marshall County with materials and services that meet their needs for recreation, education, information and cultural awareness.
Programs Offered: Storytime, bilingual storytime (English/Spanish), arts and humanities programming for children and adults, readers’ advisory, advice and materials for those providing arts and cultural programming.
Future goals include: Online Access to the library’s catalog (2007) and continuing to be responsive to diverse community needs through programming, materials and technology.
A new public library is in the future. For information on giving, please contact the library.
The Orpheum Center
PO Box 15
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-753-0550
Contact: Tom and Mary Curley, Co-Presidents
Founded: 2000
Mission: The Orpheum Center is dedicated to fostering stronger ties in our diverse community by providing a year-round gathering place for cultural and entertainment events including film festivals, exhibits and lectures in education and business.
The Orpheum Center is in the process of arranging a long-term partnership with Marshalltown Community College. The college and Orpheum Center will create a governing board that transfers the ownership of The Orpheum Center to the college. Currently needing rehabilitation, the center will include teaching labs, a black box theater, a scene shop, and an auditorium.
The Perfect Setting
13 West Main Street
Suite 102
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-752-5737
www.theperfectsetting.org
Contact: Pam Swarts, Owner
Founded: 2006
Mission: Provide a shopping experience that reflects our customers good taste through fine art, quality and simplicity.
The Perfect Setting serves the community by providing an aesthetic environment where people can find original gifts and home décor items. It is a venue for regional artists to showcase their artistry and craftsmanship. New artists are sought and invited to join the shop in consigning their work. The Perfect Setting also serves the community as a visitor’s attraction.
Monthly “Arti Gras” Friday offers an open invitation for the public to meet the artists and enjoy the gallery. Also available are “Private Gallery Closings” for clubs or organizations who want to host a private event.
An exciting development is the opening of a shop that ensures a continuation of an art venue on Main Street. The space has been remodeled and given gallery quality lighting and aesthetics.
Pioneer Heritage Library
204 North Vine Street
LeGrand, Iowa 50142
614-479-2122
Contact: Shelley Barron, Director
Founded: 1977
Mission: The Pioneer Heritage Library provides equal access to quality, current information services, materials and resources to all members of the community. The library supports lifelong learning and enjoyment in an inclusive, welcoming environment that is a comfortable community destination.
Programs Offered: Summer reading program for children, summer recreation for children, after-school programs, storytime, Junior Friends of the Library, book discussion groups and Iowa history programs.
Sister Cities of Marshalltown
135 West Main Street
PO Box 1300
Marshalltown, IA 50158
Contact: Ken Black, Board President
641-753-6611
Mission: To promote peace through understanding.
Sister Cities promotes cross-cultural opportunities by sponsoring overseas trips to Sister Cities in Japan and other locations. The group also invites people to Marshalltown to learn about the United States and the culture of Central Iowa. New relationship opportunities exist with cities in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Ukraine with the goal to complete an official agreement with a city in one of those countries in 2007. Sister Cities is an organization that is open to the public and invites anyone interested in other cultures to join.
Tuesday Musical Club
1706 West Olive
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-752-0883
Contact: Cynthia Augspurger
Founded: 1891
Mission: The development of musical appreciation of members and the stimulation of musical interest in the Marshalltown Community.
The Tuesday Musical Club focuses on vocal and instrumental performances. Small groups rehearse together and perform for each other. Once a year, there is also a public performance called the “Guest Day.” The Tuesday Musical Club members are also available for performances in area businesses or in private homes. In addition to performing, the club also supports the upkeep of community pianos at the Fisher Community Center and the Binford House. This year’s Guest Day performance will be a piano gala in celebration of work completed on these pianos. Due to the intense nature of membership, new members are invited to join this organization.
