Iowa City school district picked for Kennedy Center arts program

The Iowa City school district will work with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to create a long-term plan to improve arts education.

The Washington-based Kennedy Center announced Tuesday that Iowa City is the eighth city selected for its Any Given Child initiative.

Kennedy Center staff and consultants will review existing arts education for students in grades K-8 to see what is offered, what is lacking, and create a plan for improvement.

A committee will later be created to recommend to the district and local arts groups how to implement the plan, with the goal of increasing opportunities for the arts and reaching every child.

Superintendent Stephen Murley says it's an opportunity "to create a more comprehensive and balanced arts education program for all Iowa City students."