The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) invites Iowans to join a statewide series of “Community Conversations” this month to help shape the future of arts, history and culture in Iowa in conjunction with revitalization plans being developed for the State Historical Building of Iowa. In southwest Iowa, the meetings will be held: Monday, July 28h from 3-to 5-pm at the Wilson Performing Arts Center, in Red Oak; Tuesday, July 29th from 8-to 10-am at the Western Historic Trails Center in Council Bluffs, and later that same day in Elk Horn, from Noon until 1:30-p.m., at the Museum of Danish America. The meetings will include a brief introduction from DCA followed by an active discussion facilitated by its Master Planning consultant, Lord Cultural Resources.

DCA Director Mary Cownie said “Since the State Historical Building is the hub for the Department of Cultural Affairs, it serves as the heart and soul of our statewide outreach. As part of our revitalization planning, we are hosting Community Conversations to listen to Iowans and gather input about the visitor experience at the State Historical Building, the department and how we can better serve the state. These efforts must go hand-in-hand, so we invite Iowans to attend and share their thoughts and ideas about arts, history and culture, and how they impact our quality of life in Iowa.”

R.S.V.P. for a Community Conversation today at www.culturalaffairs.org. Iowans who cannot attend but want to participate may join the conversation at www.culturalaffairs.org or on Facebook and Twitter by using #iowaculture.