Legion Arts and CSPS, Cedar Rapids

	CSPS? Legion Arts? What's the deal? Simply put, Legion Arts is the people, CSPS is the place. If you're talking about the organization or business, you're talking about Legion Arts. If it's a location or venue you have in mind, it's CSPS. More precisely, Legion Arts is a nonprofit arts organization. CSPS doesn't exist as an organization, though it once did. (See next section.) Similarly, Legion Arts is not a place. For journalists and others who are interested, here are some examples of usage we like: Legion Arts presents art, music and theatre at CSPS (and at other places as well). Legion Arts is raising money to improve the heating system at CSPS. Or, Vance Gilbert has been performing at CSPS since 1997. Legion Arts has presented Ani DiFranco at CSPS, the University of Iowa and the Paramount Theatre. Druha Trava performs at CSPS next week. And so forth. Or, Legion Arts has great volunteers, a savvy, dedicated board of directors, and a small professional staff. CSPS has a cool vibe, provocative art and outstanding acoustics. Etc. (If you're a journalist, agent or artist who needs advice in usage, feel free to phone or e-mail. We're happy to help.)
	What does CSPS stand for? Legion Arts has its base in a century-old, former Czech social hall near downtown Cedar Rapids. Built in 1891, the building was originally known as C.S.P.S. Hall, after Cesko-Slovanska Podporujici Spolku, the organization that built it. The name roughly translates as Czech and Slovak Prudential Society, an outfit that was part insurance company, part social club and part cultural preservation society. The organization still exists today, as the Czechoslovak Society of America or CSA Fraternal Life, though its functions have changed over the years and it no longer has any formal association with the building that houses Legion Arts. Reflecting the significant role it's played in the life of Eastern Iowa over the years, C.S.P.S. Hall has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
	The cats Three cats have been associated with CSPS. The most established residents are a brother and sister pair, Grady and Hazel. They were born, in the same litter, in July 1989. Artist Jane Gilmor first introduced them to CSPS, and they moved here in 1992. Jessie is the newest and youngest of the cats. In fact, she was only three months old when she walked in off the street, along with musician Betsy Hickok, for a Laura Love concert in November 2002 (pretty good taste, eh?). No one ever claimed her, and she lived happily at CSPS since that night. All three cats have enjoyed living in an art-filled environment and interacting with visitors. That said, Jessie is the most outgoing (these days anyway), and Hazel the most reclusive. Grady remains sociable and basically friendly, if a bit moody from time to time. Update #1: After a long and very rich life, Grady left us on Christmas Eve 2004. He'll be missed by the staff — who he never hesitated to chide when they needed it, or to encourage when encouragement was required — as well as the hundreds of friends he made during his time at CSPS. Update #2: Jessie, who grew up to become a remarkably energetic, determined and self-possessed adult cat, passed away on April 1, 2007. She's also greatly missed. Back to top