The following organizations and site mentors have been our partners for the Humanities for the Public Good internship program. We reached out to these organizations because of their strong work in eastern Iowa, their dedication to social and environmental well-being for all members of our community, their collaborative spirits, and their smart and generous leadership. Thank you for learning more about their work and supporting them as donors and patrons.
African American Museum of Iowa is a statewide museum dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching Iowa’s African American history. As Iowa’s leading educational resource on the topic, AAMI educates more than 30,000 people each year through museum tours, traveling exhibits, research services, and youth and adult education programs.
The HPG interns have worked on developing curriculum related to AAMI’s Underground Railroad programming with Sean Donaldson, Museum Educator, and assisted with research on upcoming exhibitions with Felicite Wolfe, Curator.
The Englert Theatre is located in downtown Iowa City. Its mission is to inspire and activate positive community growth through the arts. In addition to maintaining Iowa City’s last historic theater as a vital community arts space, the Englert’s programming vision and collaborative efforts extend beyond its walls. Through vibrant partnerships with other organizations, it leads Mission Creek Festival and Witching Hour, seeking to program familiar and unknown, emerging and established, local and far-reaching artistry.
HPG interns worked with Andre Perry, Executive Director, to learn more about how The Englert is perceived in the community, especially by UI students, and to develop strategic recommendations for how to extend the organization’s reach to new audiences and partners.
FilmScene was founded in 2011 with the belief that art house film programming was an essential piece of Iowa city’s thriving arts community. It is a nonproft organization dedicated to enriching the cultural vitality of the Iowa City area through film that challenges, inspires, educates, and entertains. It recently expanded its footprint with a new, state-of-the-art three-screen facility at The Chauncey.
Hancher is a multidisciplinary performing arts presenter committed to connecting artists and audiences with transformational artistic experiences. For 45 years, Hancher has been the cultural hub of the University of Iowa campus—presenting world-class dance, music, and theater. Along the way, Hancher has extended its reach far beyond campus, engaging thousands of Iowans each year, on campus, throughout the community, and across the state. Hancher is one of the leading university presenters of the performing arts in the nation and has earned an international reputation for excellence.
Our interns have assisted with extending Hancher’s reach with undergraduate students and underserved populations, and have created programming notes and podcasts. We have worked with the Public Engagement team, including Paul Brohan, Chuy Renteria, and Micah Ariel James (now at the University of Chicago).
Iowa City Area Development is a 501c6 nonprofit based in downtown Iowa City. This 5-person team works to grow the local economy. The Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD)’s mission is to create, collaborate and lead regional economic development initiatives that contribute to the creation and growth of companies, wealth and quality jobs through a spirit of innovation and a culture of sharing that transforms knowledge into economic opportunity. Formed in 1984, ICAD Group serves the communities of Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Kalona, Solon, Tiffin, Tipton, the Amana Colonies, West Branch, West Liberty, and Johnson County.
Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development is place-based and uniquely built to address varied local needs and concerns. Their team, based in Amana, works to grow local economies, strengthen food systems, foster protection and enhancement of natural resources, and develop awareness for the arts, history, and culture. IVRCD facilitates partner collaboration, solves problems at a system level, and leverages resources to get more done. Their expertise is in community food systems, planning, and placemaking.
Projects with which HPG interns have worked include Grow Johnson County, Iowa Valley Scenic Byway, and watershed planning. Our IVRCD site mentor is Jessica Rilling, Executive Director.
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library preserves, presents, and transcends unique stories of Czech and Slovak history and culture through innovative experiences and active engagement to reach cross-cultural audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. It is designated a Smithsonian affiliate. Established in 1974 by second and third-generation Czech Americans, the museum was flooded in 2008 and was restored and expanded into a 50,000 square-foot facility.
The HPG intern has helped with educational programming and worked with K-12 Learning Specialist Sarah Henderson.
Public Space One is Iowa City’s community-drive contemporary art space. Located in two houses on the northside of Iowa City, PS1 includes gallery space, The Center for Afrofuturist Studies, IC Press Co-op, Media Arts Co-op, studio space, and regular programming.
With guidance from PS1 Co-Director Kalmia Strong, our HPG intern worked with the Center for Afrofuturist Studies to strategically develop programming and audience support.
The University of Iowa Labor Center provides educational programs and research support to Iowa’s working people and their organizations. Since 1951, the Labor Center has acted as a bridge between the University and Iowa’s labor community. They offer a wide range of non-credit courses designed for workers, youth, community members, and labor union leaders.
HPG interns have worked with the Center on its ongoing Iowa Labor History Oral Project and a newer project about women in trades. Our site mentors at the Center are Jennifer Sherer, Director, and John McKerley, Oral Historian.
The University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections provides access to rare and unique books, manuscripts, and maps that span over 4000 years, and is home to remarkable archives including the University Archives, Iowa Women’s Archives, International Dada Archive, and the Ruth and Marvin Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry.
uihumanitiesforthepublicgood.com 