Webster City Selected for Creative Places Accelerator Program

Webster City has been chosen as one of just six Iowa communities to take part in the Creative Places Accelerator Program, a two-year initiative designed to strengthen communities through the power of art, creativity, and collaboration.

This exciting opportunity is made possible through a partnership with the Iowa Arts Council and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, who will provide guidance, resources, and facilitation throughout the program.

Representing Webster City is a talented local team that includes:

• Arts R Alive: Janet Adams, Board President, and Tim Adams, Local Artist

• Legacy Learning Boone River Valley: Jordan Johnson, Executive Director; Maureen Seamonds, Board President; and Kevin Rubash, Board Member

• Hamilton County Fair & Chamber of Commerce: Jamie Griffith, Board President

Together, this group will help shape a shared vision for how art and creativity can fuel Webster City’s placemaking and vibrancy.

The Creative Places Accelerator is designed to help communities increase collaboration around local art, support new ideas that strengthen social connections, and highlight the creative and cultural assets that make each place unique. Through the program, teams will receive hands-on support and become eligible for up to $20,000 in grant funding, matched locally, to turn ideas into action.

To kick off the program, Webster City welcomed Jon Berg, Creative Community Development & Infrastructure Programs Manager, Iowa Economic Development Authority and Jennifer Drinkwater, Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Visual Culture at Iowa State University. Their visit included a walking and driving tour showcasing many of our community’s artistic and cultural highlights:

🎨 Downtown Webster City – featuring public art like the Butterfly mural and pieces  from the rotating sculpture collection
🎭 The Webster Theater – with a behind-the-scenes tour led by HERO Board Member Tyler Abens
🖼️ Creative Shops and Studios – highlighting the businesses and makers who add life to our downtown
🏛️ Cultural Landmarks – Driving tour of Webster City Community Theatre, Kendall Young Library, Jane Young House, Wilson Brewer Park, and Briggs Woods Park & Conference Center
🌳 West Twin Park – home to the city’s rotating sculpture collection
☕ Legacy Learning Boone River Valley’s Coffee & Create – an inspiring stop to end the day

The team will meet again later this month to continue planning and will travel to Des Moines on November 14 for a session with Springboard for the Arts at the Iowa Economic Development Authority offices.

With an estimated $43,000 total investment in local and program resources—plus the added value of technical assistance and statewide partnerships—this program represents another big step forward for Webster City’s creative community.