Plans are underway for the third annual Southwest Iowa Arts Tour, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, September 17-18, 2016. This annual event takes place in communities throughout southwest Iowa, showcasing local artists, galleries and businesses. Last year, the event doubled from the inaugural year to 9 communities with over 40 local artists representing diverse media, such as metal work, painting, pottery and jewelry.

The planning group is now seeking artists and communities to add to the tour for this fall. Registration information for artists and communities is located at www.swiarttour.com. Sponsorships and advertising opportunities are also available. Deadline for artist and sponsor registrations is July 1, 2016.

The Southwest Iowa Art Tour is coordinated by the Southwest Iowa Arts Council’s volunteer Board of Directors with support from Golden Hills RC&D. Funding support for the event has been provided by the Red Oak City Council Hotel/Motel grant, the USDA Rural Community Development Initiative, the Iowa West Foundation and the University of Iowa. The Southwest Iowa Art Tour, hosted by the Southwest Iowa Arts Council, is a group of artists from throughout the region who collaborate to provide opportunities for the public to view and purchase their work.

The Southwest Iowa Arts Council’s mission is to “Connect rural communities in Southwest Iowa through contemporary and traditional visual arts promotion and education.” Goals of the group are to promote artists in southwest Iowa and assist in their viability, recognition and support; to cultivate visual arts appreciation and patronage through education and outreach; to provide learning opportunities for youth and adults to foster an interest in the visual arts; and to create and promote events in southwest Iowa that celebrate the traditional and contemporary arts. The Southwest Iowa Arts Council is a nonprofit organization.