Summer of the Arts launches fundraising campaign to celebrate 20th year

IOWA CITY — Summer of the Arts is celebrating its 20th year by launching a fundraising campaign to create a greener, more welcoming Riverfront Crossings Park.

The "Roots & Rhythms: 20 Trees for 20 Years" campaign aims to plant 20 new trees at this popular concert venue, providing much-needed shade and natural beauty for generations of park visitors and community members.

The campaign launched Aug. 30, 2025, and runs through the 2026 festival season, with a goal of raising $10,000 to support tree planting in the spring of 2026 and the summer concert series. The new trees will provide shade and beauty for the “Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings” and other community activities in the park for years to come.

Summer of the Arts is partnering with the City of Iowa City, Iowa City Parks & Recreation and Sustainable Landscape Solutions to make this vision a reality. Thanks to support from the Iowa City Area Rotary Clubs, they will match the donations up to $5,000 to accomplish this goal. They are also providing volunteers to assist with the planting of the trees next spring.

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This initiative reflects Summer of the Arts' commitment to creating equitable public spaces that serve all community members. Public parks like Riverfront Crossings are especially important for residents who don't have access to private green spaces, making this investment in the park an investment in a more just and sustainable community landscape.

All donors will be recognized on the Summer of the Arts website, and donors who give $100 or more will be recognized at each “Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings” concert. The campaign supports both environmental sustainability and the organization's ongoing commitment to providing free, high-quality arts programming.

For more information or to donate, visit https://summerofthearts.org/calendar-event/fundraiser-roots-rhythms-20-trees-for-20-years-with-summer-of-the-arts/.