Cultural alliance models regionalization

It's said that there's strength in numbers, and Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance is a fine example of the maxim.

Since forming in 2005, the ICCA has been a model of regional cooperation in our area.

By banding together, the group's 150 member organizations and individuals (Gazette Communications among them) benefit from each other's experience, strengths and skills.

They expand community understanding of and appreciation of local arts and culture, creating more fertile ground for each individual mission.

As the ICCA's executive director, Joe Jennison, told us this week, the regional alliance is a way for individual organizations to “pull each other up.”

“The basic idea is when we all work together, we can accomplish so much more,” he said.

It's an approach that other interest groups in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor area would do well to emulate. The Corridor Business Alliance, born last year, is following a similar strategy and building economic development momentum.

Instead of guarding their turf, local advocates and leaders should be looking for opportunities to collaborate - to band together in ways that will help further their causes throughout the region. They should build on their individual strengths.

After all, the issues, people and communities in this region are inextricably linked. It makes sense for organizations to behave the same way.

This Sunday, the ICCA will host the fourth-annual Iowa Cultural Corridor Excellence in Innovation Awards, otherwise known as The Icky's. To recognize the event, mayors are proclaiming the day “Arts and Culture Day” in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

It's just one example of how the ICCA has promoted the arts in the greater community. Among others are its presence at locations such as The Eastern Iowa Airport, and a Web site, www.culturalcorridor.org (which Jennison said averages a million hits per month). The ICCA's collaboration makes it easier to learn about cultural opportunities.

In 2006, the ICCA commissioned an economic impact study that found non-profit arts groups contributed $63.08 million to our local economy each year.

This year, that study will be updated. The ICCA also will spearhead joint marketing and advertising opportunities, and other projects are likely to be fostered.

The importance of those relationships hit home during floods of 2008, Jennison said, when the ICCA was able to connect groups who wanted to help with those who desperately needed the help. That spirit of cooperation sped recovery.

But even during routine times, it's smart for like-minded groups to share resources - to build interest, collaborate and learn from each other. Not just to survive but to thrive.