My Biz :In merging careers, director keeps very busy

By Katie Mills Giorgio, correspondent

Name: Abby Ballain

Title: Executive Director

Company: Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance

Address: 900 First Ave., Coralville

Phone: (319) 849-8ART (8278)

Website: www.culturalcorridor.org

Elevator speech: “There is always something going on. I am never bored.”

Some might consider Abby Ballain a cheerleader of sorts.

Ballain serves as the executive director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, a membership-based organization made up of more than 150 arts and cultural organizations in Linn and Johnson counties, as well as the nine counties adjacent to them.

The mission of ICCA - and Abby's role as chief cheerleader - is to promote the varied cultural activities of partner organizations and to nurture a sustainable cultural community.

She started in August of 2010 still finds much to keep her busy.

“I have yet to have two days look alike,” she said.

Her duties range from radio and TV interviews to meetings with partner organizations and from dealing with the budget and membership renewals to weekly email blasts and social-media updates.

Ballain took the job after finishing her MBA in arts and not-for-profit management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“I decided at a young age that I enjoyed both the arts and business, and found arts administration to be a career path where I could explore both of those loves,” she said. “I was actually forwarded this job description by a friend … and thought it would be the perfect fit for my skill set and personality.”

As the only staff member of ICCA, Ballain is quick to point out she has support from her 15-member board of directors and her various college interns.

“We are small, but mighty,” she said of her organization, which she operates out of offices in Coralville and Cedar Rapids.

“The most challenging part of my job is being a one-woman show,” Ballain added. “While many organizations have individuals for different parts of their organization (such as membership, development, finance, marketing), I am responsible for all areas.

“It's challenging, but also allows me to be a well-rounded expert about the organization.”

On the other hand, she says assisting her member arts and culture organizations is the most satisfying part of her work.

“Meeting with individual partners to discuss their successes, challenges, and how ICCA can help is very rewarding,” she said.

“ICCA was created for its partners, so we are always looking for ways to better serve them.”

Think the business you own or manage should be considered for “My Biz”? Is the company more than one year old? Contact business editor Michael Chevy Castranova at michael.castranova@sourcemedia.net.