Over a dozen cultural organizations have united as the Muscatine Cultural Alliance. Dedicated to the performing and visual arts, placemaking, and our local history, the organizations will join together to hold the “Cultural Alliance Celebration: Volunteer Recognition & Fundraiser” on Friday, November 15th. The luncheon will take place at the Merrill Hotel Ballroom from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Doors open at 11:00 a.m.
The program will open with remarks from Mayor Brad Bark. The keynote speaker is Chuck Swanson, former Director of the University of Iowa’s Hancher Auditorium. Keith Porter, President and CEO of the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, will serve as the master of ceremonies.
The luncheon will include a buffet with dessert, live music, a silent auction, and a slideshow celebrating the recent achievements of the participating organizations and their volunteers. This year’s winner of the Shirley Jean Drake Great Initiatives Award will be announced during the event. The award recognizes the efforts of an individual volunteer.
Kent Corporation, CBI Bank & Trust, RJK Inc., Bayer, Geri Kent, Chuck and Kim Swanson, and Deb and Keith Porter are sponsors of the inaugural Cultural Alliance Celebration. Supporting organizations are the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine.
The organizations that make up the Muscatine Cultural Alliance are the Muscatine County Arts Council, Muscatine Symphony Orchestra, Muscatine Civic Chorale, Jackson Concert Series, Pearl City Players, Friends of the Muscatine Art Center / Muscatine Art Center, Friends of the Old Barn, Friends of the Pine Creek Grist Mill, Friends of Musser Public Library, Muscatine County Conservation, Muscatine Public Art Advisory Commission, Muscatine History & Industry Center / National Pearl Button Museum, Friends of the Fairport Fish Hatchery, and Friends of the Old Stone Church.
In recent years, some of these organizations have collaborated on special events. Earlier this year, the Muscatine County Arts Council, the Muscatine Art Center, the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra, and Friends of the Old Barn worked together to present Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, a two-time Grammy award winning group. Several of the groups also rallied around the 2023 performance of Ballet Des Moines on the Muscatine riverfront.
“Through teamwork and some great connections, Muscatine has been able to enjoy many memorable experiences,” explains Melanie Alexander, Director of the Muscatine Art Center. “We are thankful to have a network of support and are thrilled to welcome Chuck Swanson back to Muscatine. In his role at Hancher Auditorium, he looked out for performers and opportunities to bring some real magic to Muscatine. Now that he has retired, he continues to connect us with talented performers.”
The Cultural Alliance Celebration will support future collaborations under the Cultural Alliance umbrella while raising funds for the participating organizations. Equally important, the event is intended to spark an interest in volunteer participation, membership, and engagement in programs and other offerings. While each group has its own particular set of needs, the organizations want the broader community to understand the many ways in which individuals can work together to help keep Muscatine vibrant.
The groups that make up the Cultural Alliance offer thousands of experiences to local residents and visitors to our community. These cultural experiences connect us to our neighbors, keep us learning at every stage of life, spark joy and wonder, preserve our unique history, and make our community a better place to live and work.
Individual tickets for the event are $55 or a table of 10 can be purchased for $500. Advance reservations are required and may be purchased through the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine. Purchase tickets online or by mail or in person at the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine, 215 W Mississippi Drive, Muscatine, IA 52761.
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