AGP Executive Report

Visual Arts: Baltimore artist Amanda Burnham’s immersive installation is now open at the Figge Art Museum. Live Performance: Bel Canto Chorale brings a varied fall concert to Burlington on Oct. 25, while the Brown Family’s musical tribute, “Oh, My Iowa,” heads to Osage. Iowa on Screen: Robert Reich’s documentary “The Work in Progress” puts everyday Iowans on the big screen, and a historic Iowa drive-in continues to draw crowds. Night Out: A new Cedar Rapids venue is hosting a dance party for tired adults, and Davenport gets a one-night interactive ghost show on Oct. 30. Community Arts: Clinton residents credit public art with bringing their river town together.

Museum Art: The Figge Art Museum in Davenport has opened Amanda Burnham: Everything to Everyone, an immersive installation filling a gallery with hundreds of drawings exploring women’s lives and urban culture. Community & Culture: Iowa City’s fourth annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration brought residents together for cultural resources, family activities and a performance by the Eagle Feather Singers. Live Shows: The Brown Family’s “Oh, My Iowa” musical tribute is coming to Osage, while a Netflix 28 Days Haunted investigator will lead an interactive, one-night paranormal show at Davenport’s Last Picture House on Oct. 30. On Screen: Robert Reich’s documentary The Work in Progress brings everyday Iowans to the big screen, and a new feature looks at how one of Iowa’s last drive-in theaters keeps drawing audiences.

Local Radio: Grinnell’s KGRN is preparing to return under new ownership after nearly four months off the air, with local news, sports and familiar voices planned for its comeback. Visual Arts: Photographer Johnnie Chatman brought his research-driven approach to landscapes to Grinnell College, exploring how history and human decisions shape the places we see. Live Music: Micky Dolenz’s 60 Years of the Monkees tour added dates and still lists Des Moines, despite canceling five other U.S. stops. Iowa Screens: One of the state’s last drive-in theaters continues to draw crowds, keeping an enduring outdoor movie tradition alive. Arts Access: Des Moines Performing Arts is expanding its preschool program to three counties. Exhibitions: “Nordic Echoes” is on display at Vesterheim, while Iowa City’s Vintage Fest brings vintage culture to local audiences.

Arts on Display: Vesterheim’s “Nordic Echoes” is on view, while Fairfield’s Amana Arts Guild plans an art sale and chili competition. Live Performance: Des Moines Performing Arts has expanded its preschool program to three counties, and the “Dancing with the Stars” live tour is coming to Des Moines. Fairfield also gets an original performance from New Orleans pianist Brian Haas. Local Music: Youth band 7 Ark swept major awards at a statewide contest. Theater & Film: A Cedar Rapids theater company is walking away from AI-generated art, and “La Bamba” will close the Quad Cities Latino cinema series, with proceeds supporting local scholarships. Arts Legacy: Former Cedar Rapids Symphony director and conductor Richard Williams has died at 87. On the Field: Iowa rose to No. 17 in the AP poll after its 41-24 win over Washington; Northern Iowa strengthened its FCS playoff case with back-to-back wins over top-five teams.

Field of Dreams: Iowa beat Kansas 15-10 in a 16-inning fall exhibition at Dyersville, drawing more than 5,000 fans for the first Division I baseball game at the iconic site. Iowa Music: Local youth band 7 Ark swept major awards at a statewide contest. Arts & Events: Des Moines welcomed the Pumpkins After Dark experience at Water Works Park, and the Dancing with the Stars live tour is headed to the city. Creative Spaces: Cedar Rapids is planning a downtown sculpture park, while Ankeny Art Center has unveiled plans for a new home. Festival News: Des Moines’ World Food & Music Festival earned four international awards.

Live Music: Geordie Greep’s Des Moines show remained scheduled as several other U.S. dates were canceled after sexual misconduct allegations surfaced; Greep denied wrongdoing. Public Art: Cedar Rapids plans a new downtown sculpture park, while the Figge Art Museum opened an immersive drawing installation. Iowa Artists: Youth band 7 Ark swept major awards at a statewide music contest. Festival Scene: Fairfield residents rallied after the Symmetry Festival was canceled, and Des Moines’ World Food & Music Festival won four international awards.

Hawkeyes: No. 20 Iowa bounced back with a 41-24 win over Washington in Seattle, powered by Kamari Moulton’s 208 rushing yards and three touchdown passes from backup QB Jeremy Hecklinski. Visual Arts: Fort Madison artist Danna Fruetel’s “Nature and an Artist Untethered” show explores bold contrast, botanicals and mandalas. An immersive drawing installation also opened at the Figge Art Museum. Around Iowa: Pumpkins After Dark made its Des Moines debut at Water Works Park, while Cedar Rapids unveiled plans for a new downtown sculpture park. Live Music: Galena-based country virtuoso Greg Garing is set to play an intimate Quad Cities concert Sunday.

Interactive Art: An immersive drawing installation opens Saturday at Davenport’s Figge Art Museum, while Cedar Rapids is planning a new downtown sculpture park. Arts Support: The Principal Foundation renewed its support for the Des Moines Art Center, backing Iowa’s arts scene. Onstage: The University of Iowa School of Music presents “Hansel und Gretel” Oct. 16–18; the Brentano String Quartet also recently honored Beethoven at a Voxman performance. Festival News: The inaugural Field of Dreams Festival has been cancelled. Iowa Art: A new look at Grant Wood’s life and work highlights the artist’s enduring place in the state’s cultural story.

Live Performance: The Brentano String Quartet brought a Beethoven program to the University of Iowa’s Voxman Music Building, while Des Moines Performing Arts is expanding its preschool program to three counties. On Stage: The “Dancing with the Stars” live tour is set to visit Des Moines in 2027. Film & Community Arts: Ottumwa’s Halloweenapalooza is featuring a horror film festival, and a Cedar Rapids theater company is stepping away from AI-generated art. Arts Education: Iowa 4-H youth took part in 642 communications events at the State Fair, and a Sioux Center fifth-grade band director is building a foundation for young musicians.

Arts for Young Iowans: Des Moines Performing Arts is expanding its preschool touring program to Polk, Dallas and Warren counties, bringing four productions and 26 performances to classrooms after last year’s pilot reached more than 1,500 students. On Campus: The Brentano String Quartet performed Beethoven at the University of Iowa’s Voxman Music Building on Oct. 7 and coached student musicians during its residency. Fall Fun: Iowa City’s CAB Fall Fest offered students pumpkin painting, garland-making and free coffee at Hubbard Park on Oct. 8. Live Events: Dancing with the Stars’ live tour is set to visit Des Moines in 2027. Sports Venues: The Field of Dreams Ballpark will host Iowa’s community college baseball regional tournament from 2027 to 2029; a proposed $65 million Des Moines soccer stadium still faces property and approval hurdles.

Live Music: SCOPE Productions named Smino the headliner for the University of Iowa’s 2026 homecoming concert, while Des Moines is set to host the Dancing with the Stars live tour. Local Arts: Iowa City’s Odd Luck opens its first permanent coffee, vintage and art shop Oct. 10; Ankeny Art Center has also unveiled plans for a new home. Film & Community: Ottumwa’s Halloweenapalooza returns with horror films and celebrity guests, and southeast Iowa’s Silent Scream concert raises money for mental health services Saturday. Classical Music: Richard Williams, the former Cedar Rapids Symphony director credited with helping transform it into a professional orchestra, has died at 87. Orchestra Iowa’s new season has also opened with a program spotlighting a local composer and West Side Story. Festival News: Des Moines’ World Food & Music Festival won four international awards.

Iowa Music: Iowa City soul artist James Tutson’s new album, Late Bloomer, celebrates life, family and the local musicians and supporters behind his career. Fall Events: Ottumwa’s Halloweenapalooza brings horror films and a Dawn of the Dead star to its lineup. Live Shows: Olivia Lane will open for Jo Dee Messina at Davenport’s Rhythm City Casino on Jan. 30. Arts & Community: Ankeny Art Center has unveiled plans for a new home, while Waterloo’s Hoover Middle School is collecting cans and bottles to support student musicians. Des Moines Development: Polk County approved a planning agreement for a potential entertainment district. Festival Honors: Des Moines’ World Food & Music Festival picked up four international awards.

Horror Weekend: Ottumwa’s Halloweenapalooza returns Oct. 9–10 with “Dawn of the Dead” star Ken Foree, horror-film screenings, Q&As, vendors and an escape room. Local Art: Fort Madison’s October exhibit features Danna Fruetel’s intricate scratchboard work, with a live demonstration at the Oct. 8 opening reception. Campus Cinema: UNI’s Film Appreciation Club welcomes movie fans for relaxed screenings and discussions every Friday at 7 p.m. On Stage: The University of Iowa’s “Hansel und Gretel” is scheduled for Oct. 16–18. Arts News: Ankeny Art Center has unveiled plans for a new home, while the Des Moines Symphony opened its season with a program spotlighting a local composer and “West Side Story.”

Community Resources: A Davis County Poverty Task Force is building a centralized, open-source guide to connect residents with housing, food, mental health, substance abuse, jobs, transportation, and more—bringing about 16 local organizations together so referrals don’t depend on one coordinator. Animal Welfare: Precious Acres Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Scott County marked a major milestone by completing a major fencing project funded largely by the Scott County Regional Authority, a step toward its future rescue and sanctuary facilities. Arts & History: The University of Iowa’s Halsey Hall—opened in 1915 as a women’s gym—has a demolition timeline set for summer 2027 as the dance department relocates and the Iowa Memorial Union parking ramp project moves forward. Music & Performance: Rosemount High School’s marching band won the Bands of America Iowa Regional Championship at UNI, sweeping caption awards and earning a spot at Youth In Music in Minneapolis. Sports (Local Spotlight): Iowa’s Hank Brown is listed as starting QB vs. Washington but called his status “definitely still a little bit of a question,” while the Hawkeyes also get a boost from L.J. Phillips Jr.’s return. Pro Soccer in Des Moines: Sporting Kansas City and MLS Next Pro partners unveiled a plan to bring a team to Des Moines with a new ~6,000-seat stadium near downtown.

Wireless Hall of Fame: The Wireless History Foundation inducted five new honorees—Brian Boyle, Jim Bugel, John DeFeo, Julius Knapp and Craig Snyder—celebrating the people behind key advances in the wireless industry. Higher Ed Leadership: Arkansas State named Dr. William McLean provost and executive vice chancellor, tapping a long A-State career to help expand research and strengthen academics. Horror & Pop Culture: Ottumwa’s Halloweenapalooza returns Oct. 9-10 at the Bridge View Center with horror-film guests, indie screenings, vendors, live podcasts, trivia, and an escape-room experience. Civics & School Policy: Iowa is rolling out a version of the U.S. citizenship test for high school diplomas, with Burlington reporting only 60% passing on the first try. Local Arts & Community: Des Moines is taking entries for its annual Fall Tree Photo Contest, and Bondurant broke ground on a new outdoor amphitheater and augmented-reality mural in its historic grain district. Fitness Opening: VASA Fitness is set to open its first Iowa location in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 10. Film for Iowa audiences: The documentary “World Without Cows” is headed to select theaters, including Iowa, starting Oct. 14.

Local Arts & Community: Cancer Support Community Iowa and NW Illinois is hosting a free “Bringing Colors to Life” creative art session Oct. 19 (6–8 p.m.) at Gilda’s Club Moline, with registration required. Music & Faith: Sarah Hart brings her Catholic music ministry to New Berlin for a “Night of Peace” public concert Oct. 9 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Arts in the Spotlight: Orange City’s Dollar Fresh is transitioning into a full-service Hy-Vee, with a ribbon-cutting Tuesday and a community celebration Oct. 10. Sports & Entertainment Crossover: Phish fans mourn the death of longtime taper Duncan Oldham, killed after a Saturday show in Atlantic City. Iowa Infrastructure (Public Life): The Iowa 9/WIS 82 Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing is set to open to traffic Nov. 6, ending the free car ferry service. Road Work: Sioux City lane closures begin Oct. 6 for crack filling on Business U.S. 20/Gordon Drive and Iowa 376/Lewis Boulevard.