Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs

The INF is excited to announce a new content partnership with the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (IDCA). Entitled “Iowa Culture Wire”, the IDCA will provide a quarterly arts and culture article series to INA members– who may utilize the content free of charge in their newspapers.

From the IDCA:

“The series offers fresh stories about arts, history, film and culture from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. With solid reporting, stylish writing and lively photos, this publish-ready content covers every corner of the state to help readers discover the people and places that make Iowa such a fascinating place to live.”

About the writers:

Michael Morain covered arts and culture for the Des Moines Register from 2005 to 2016 before becoming the communications manager at the Department of Cultural Affairs. He is a two-time fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts Institute for Arts Journalism and (more important) the nephew and grandson of two INA Master Editor-Publishers: Rick Morain and the late Fred Morain of Jefferson.

Jeff Morgan has served the Department of Cultural Affairs since 2004, following two decades of experience in public relations, and journalism. He has formerly worked for Des Moines Performing Arts (formerly the Des Moines Civic Center), the Des Moines Register, Des Moines Business Record, Iowa City Press-Citizen and various Meredith Corp. publications.

The current series of articles is available to download today. The series covers the following topics:

The Great Eclipse
In August 1869, exactly 150 years ago, scientists and sky watchers descended on Iowa to study a solar eclipse. It was the Midwest's last total solar eclipse of the 19th century -- and the first to be photographed.

Transcontinental Railroad's 150th
Grenville Dodge of Council Bluffs helped mastermind the first transcontinental railroad, which was completed 150 years ago and is being celebrated with a restored 1941 steam locomotive's cross-country tour.

Please contact Geof Fischer at (515) 422-9070 or gfischer@inanews.com for additional information or if you have questions.