Josie Fischels

The painting, which has been part of the Sioux City Arts Center's permanent collection since 2007, has been sent to the Midwest Art Conservation Center in Minneapolis for a year-long conservation process.

The Waterloo Community School District reversed its decision to participate in the 19th African American Read-In, hosted by the University of Northern Iowa Department of Education on Feb. 20, and returned free children's books intended to be sent home with students.

The National Endowment for the Arts announced sweeping changes to its guidelines for 2026 grant applications in compliance with President Donald Trump's executive orders to reject DEI. But money from a now-eliminated grant hasn't been awarded yet to an Iowa arts organization for 2025.

Thomas Dambo, a world-renowned Danish artist and environmental activist, will install his whimsical creations in Clinton next year. He's created over 150 trolls in 17 different countries out of recycled wood and scraps.

Iowa City's first-ever "Free Week," held Feb. 18-22, offers over 40 free events and performances across more than 20 venues downtown.

Artists from near and far flocked to Washington Park in Dubuque last week for the competition, in which they had four days to create the best snow sculpture. But with all of the city's snow melted by the dates for the festival, how did they pull it off?

The music festival, which has hosted both Chappell Roan and Noah Kahan, and matched her donation, pledged its support for "access to mental health care for all musicians."

Mins Studios, located in West Des Moines, offers K-pop albums, merchandise, stationery, Korean beauty products and skincare. It's the first of its kind in the state.

Cobble Hill chef Andy Schumacher is a Best Chef Midwest semifinalist. Simon's, an Italian restaurant in Des Moines, is named for Outstanding Hospitality.

The Hinterland Music Festival returns this August to St. Charles, Iowa with a lineup that includes the first hip-hop act to headline the festival in its 10-year history.