It’s been a remarkable year.
Following the flood of 2008, and a successful capital campaign, Legion Arts had the great honor of repairing and reopening a landmark building that’s served Eastern Iowa for more than a century.
The renovation of CSPS Hall succeeded thanks to the generosity of people like you. Now we’re asking for your support as we move forward.
Built by immigrants 120 years ago, CSPS has always been a center, multidisciplinary and multicultural long before those terms were invented.
Today, we’re thrilled to maintain that tradition, in a completely updated facility.
Since Labor Day, a refurbished CSPS has hosted painters, sculptors and songwriters from throughout Eastern Iowa — ceramicists and potters from across the Midwest — and accomplished artists from such far-flung locales as Texas and Brooklyn, Italy and Poland, Ireland, Nepal, the Czech Republic and the Ivory Coast.
Performers coming through in the next few months include well-known names like Peter
Yarrow, Guy Davis, Peggy Seeger and Jonathan Edwards — as well as talented young creators just beginning their careers.
Bringing such artists to town is central to our mission. And yet, as proud as we are of our programming, we’re equally excited by our engagement with the community.
This fall, with additional space available in the redesigned building, we’ve been able to accommodate conferences and training sessions, parties and film screenings, nonprofit board meetings, a memorial service and at least one baby shower.
In December, we even hosted a live broadcast of CNN’s John King, USA.And that’s not all.
Legion Arts has emerged as a leader in connecting cultural activity to economic development. The renovation of CSPS brought with it an $8 million investment in the community, creating scores of jobs in the process.
That refrain will continue in 2012. In January we’ll launch the Arts Incubator at CSPS Hall, providing space and professional training for area artists and arts organizations. On the ground floor of the building, three retail businesses will soon open their doors. And as the historic anchor of New Bohemia, we’re eager to begin working with our newest neighbors, including New Bo City Market, KNBO neighborhood radio, Bata’s Restaurant, and others.
We’ve come this far thanks to people like you — people who had the vision and foresight to believe that a small arts organization in Iowa could combine (a) world-class programming, (b) a commitment to historic preservation, and (c) a distinctive approach to community development, in order to create (d) a cultural center unique in the region.
Of course, as you’d expect, the new building brings with it not only increased overhead, but some pretty extraordinary opportunities.
- A larger operation requires a larger staff.
- We need new tables and chairs.
- We really need to finish that parking lot next spring.
- We’d like to build a courtyard.
We can only do these things with your help. So as one year (marked by achievement) draws to a close, and another (full of promise) begins, I really hope you’ll consider making a generous, tax-deductible gift to Legion Arts.
You can donate online by clicking here; you can write a check to Legion Arts and send it to 1103 Third St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401; or you can donate over the phone by calling 319.364.1580.
If you’re interested in underwriting a few dozen chairs, a parking lot or courtyard, please feel free to phone me at CSPS or write john@legionarts.org.
In any case, please accept our best wishes for a happy new year. We’re looking forward to a stupendous 2012, and we hope that you’ll be a part of it.
— F. John Herbert
Executive Director
Photos: Still from Marina Zurkow’s Slurb; Ivory Coast singer Dobet Gnahore; view of the renovated stage; songwriter Kenny White; Carlo, the bar.
