Need To Know:
- Johnson County communities have earned a number of accolades for their commitment to arts, culture and quality of life amenities. In particular, Iowa City landed the city #8 on CNN’s 2026 Best Towns in the USA list.
- Coralville, North Liberty and Iowa City have each expanded their support for arts, culture and quality of life amenities in the last calendar year. In particular, North Liberty recently received over $1 million to move Centennial Park into the next stage of development, while Iowa City’s Local Option Sales Tax funded the growth of the Iowa City Arts Alliance.
- A study by Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 published in 2023 estimated Iowa City’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated over $20 million in economic activity in 2022.
In Johnson County, arts, culture and quality-of-life amenities create places where people want to live, work and invest.
Whether attending a performance at Hancher Auditorium, exploring a local gallery, enjoying a reading at Prairie Lights, or taking in a movie at FilmScene, residents are participating in an ecosystem that supports businesses and strengthens community connections. These venues and gathering places serve as important “third spaces” beyond home and work, where relationships are built, ideas are exchanged, and a sense of belonging takes root.
Johnson County’s October events are great examples of how third spaces connect our community; FilmScene is hosting the ReFocus Film Festival Oct. 22-25. This past Sunday kicked off a week of events with the Iowa City Book Festival, and Greater IC is proud to present the Book Fair and Local Author Book Fair on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25.
There is an economic benefit to these events; earlier this decade, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study estimated Iowa City’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated over 20 million in economic activity in 2022.
Johnson County’s creative identity is nationally recognized. Iowa City was named the first UNESCO City of Literature in the United States, a distinction that elevates the region’s global profile while reinforcing the importance of creativity, education and storytelling in our local economy. Adding to the accolades, CNN recently named Iowa City #8 on its list of Best Towns in the USA.
Johnson County’s commitment to the arts is also reflected in major community assets. The University of Iowa recently celebrated a decade of creativity and recovery from the 2008 flood with Hancher Auditorium, the Visual Arts Building and the Voxman Music Building (Hancher reopened to the public in 2016 following the floods). These facilities continue to attract students, performers and audiences from across the Midwest and enhance both cultural opportunities and economic activity. Moreover, Coralville’s Xtream Arena and the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts continues to attract top talent in arts, culture and entertainment. The Iowa Children’s Museum recently received funding that connects families with hands-on cultural experiences, while North Liberty received an historic $1.2 million allocation to help move Centennial Park into the next stage of its development.
Our advocacy of the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) has created additional investment in arts and culture. Revenue generated through Iowa City’s LOST helped fund the creation and growth of the Iowa City Arts Alliance. These efforts help strengthen the creative sector, support local organizations and expand opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
The benefits extend beyond the arts community itself. Employers increasingly recognize that talented workers have choices, and quality of life often influences where they decide to build careers and raise families. From festivals and live performances to trails, parks, bookstores and vibrant downtown districts, the amenities that enrich daily life also help attract talent, support entrepreneurship, and fuel economic growth.
Simply put, investing in arts and culture is investing in Johnson County’s future. A thriving creative community doesn’t just make our region more enjoyable – it makes our region more competitive.
Follow Greater Iowa City, Inc. on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and by signing up for our email newsletter.
