116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Eastern Iowa Arts Academy makes the arts accessible for kids and adults
Academy plans to expand programming after buying Arthur Elementary School
Jul. 4, 2024 5:30 am, Updated: Jul. 5, 2024 7:37 am
CEDAR RAPIDS — When Evan Stock, a director and producer at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy, records with kids performing at TalkBack Studios, he gets to join in their excitement for the new experience that “validates” what they’re doing, he said.
The recording studio is just one facet of the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy, located in Cedar Rapids. Stock said he has helped kids and adults record everything from podcasts and spoken word to creating audition tracks of a cappella groups and full bands at the studio.
“I’ve seen kids struggling to find their place in this world, and music gives them that chance. It’s like therapy. It’s healing,” Stock said.
The hourly fees adults pay to record in the studio helps support programming for students, about 75 percent of whom get financial assistance to participate in various art and music classes at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy. Stock is looking forward to moving into a new space the academy just bought where there is room for a better studio with the ability to “do more,” he said.
The Eastern Iowa Arts Academy last month purchased Arthur Elementary School in northeast Cedar Rapids in an agreement approved by the school board for the Cedar Rapids Community School District.
The academy is paying $130,000 for the building and property, assessed at almost $261,000, according to the Linn County assessor. But under the deal, the academy over the next decade will provide the district with an additional $130,000 in programming — which district chief financial officer Karla Hogan is worth at least $270,000.
To pay for the new building, the academy is selling its current office and music and art studios at 1841 and 1847 E Ave. NE in Cedar Rapids.
Heather Wagner, executive director of the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy, said the academy needs to raise an additional $1 million to fund renovations to Arthur Elementary. Renovations include adding an elevator and making the building overall accessible to people with disabilities.
The new space also will add 14 studios available to rent to local artists. A maker space with a 3D printer and tools like saws, drills and hammers will be added, as will a food pantry, clothing closet, and a sensory room designed to provide calm, focus and comfort to people with sensory processing problems.
Students work on clay models during an art class at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Monday, June 24, 2024. Students were tasked with making a clay model of an existing video game character as well as a model of a character of their own creation. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Program director Lauren Manninen instructs students during an art class at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Monday, June 24, 2024. Students were tasked with making a clay model of an existing video game character as well as a model of a character of their own creation. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Ben Barnes, age 10, works on a clay model of Mario during an art class at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Monday, June 24, 2024. Students were tasked with making a clay model of an existing video game character as well as a model of a character of their own creation. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Cecelia Collins, age 10, works on a clay model of Mario during an art class at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Monday, June 24, 2024. Students were tasked with making a clay model of an existing video game character as well as a model of a character of their own creation. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Ryker Fisher, age 11, makes a clay model of Pikachu surfing during an art class at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Monday, June 24, 2024. Students were tasked with making a clay model of an existing video game character as well as a model of a character of their own creation. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Lucy Frost, age 16, plays the guitar and sings during a rehearsal at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Rock academy director Naomi Ruckus Rose (center) goes over a song with students at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Rock academy director Naomi Ruckus Rose plays the drums at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Thousands of kids across Eastern Iowa are served annually by the academy.
About 3,000 students in the Cedar Rapids Community School District receive fine arts enrichment courses at their elementary, middle and high schools and at the academy through an annual agreement. This is a contribution from the district to the academy of up to $30,000, according to the agreement approved by the school board last month. The programming the academy will provide the district as called for in the building sale is in addition to what it provides now.
An estimated 11,000 children are served by the academy through Art Huts, similar to little free libraries around town where patrons can take for free an art supply kit.
Programs offered at the academy
The music studio offers a variety of classes with group instruction and private lessons for students of all ability levels. Students also have the opportunity to participate in Rock Academy.
Rock Academy is home to eight youth rock bands ranging from ages 10 to 18 which play their favorite genres of music, such as country, rock, pop and heavy metal. Each band is directed by a professional performing local musician.
The arts and creative writing studio hosts classes and workshops and provides a workspace for students to work on individual projects with input and direction from professional instructors and artists.
A newer program called Pick Me donates guitars to local students in middle school who otherwise would have “no way to ever be able to buy a guitar,” Wagner said. She reaches out to local middle school teachers to ask where the need is.
Over the last two years, the academy has given away 20 guitars — many of them electric guitars that come with an amp — and eight weeks of free lessons.
“The arts save lives for so many kids. We see it all the time. Art heals their souls. Kids come in and find their people, their friends and feel supported,” Wagner said.
Art, music and creative writing classes and workshops for adults, taught by local professionals, are offered throughout the year. Some of the most popular classes include stained glass, painting and drawing, textiles, collage, sculpture, printmaking, guitar and keyboard. The fees for these classes also help support student financial aid.
“Anytime adults come in and learn, it’s helping the kids. It’s a neat way to give back. You sign up for an adult class, you’re helping a kid get access to instruments and art supplies,” Wagner said.
As a nonprofit, the academy also relies on local, state and federal grants, private donations, corporate sponsorship and fundraisers to complete its almost $390,000 annual budget, Wagner said.
Check it out
If interested in any of the programs offered at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy or to make a donation, visit the academy online at easterniowaartsacademy.org
Performances through its Rock Bands program will be held around the community throughout the summer.
Four bands will be performing at the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market from 9-11:30 a.m. July 20. Bands also will be performing at X-Golf Cedar Rapids, 5235 Buffalo Ridge Dr., Suite 100, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27.
Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com
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