Arts Impact creating public art space in Mt. Pleasant

MT. PLEASANT — The Mt. Pleasant Arts IMPACT — Impacting Mt. Pleasant Arts and Culture Together — has the lofty goal of creating a public arts space. The group’s goals have been the same throughout the years.

The group has always wanted to “ignite and promote broad community excitement in the appreciation, support and growth of artistic and cultural activities in and around Mt. Pleasant,” according to their mission statement.

However, it is about more than just public art; it’s about bringing an arts culture to Mt. Pleasant.

“Even though we’re the towns art council, we’re really trying to serve the community in a much bigger capacity,” said Dave Adams, a board member of the group.

The group has done a few things for the community to help progress toward that goal, such as providing entertainment before the summertime series of community band concerts.

From crafts to artists in the park to art displays from Plein-air artists the IMPACT organization has tried to bring community members out to embrace the arts culture in Mt. Pleasant.

“We do anything to get more people to come out and enjoy the concert,” Adams said.

The group hosts artists from around the area and helps them display their art. The group hosts regional and state art meetings through its partnership with Iowa Wesleyan.

All of these initiatives are to help promote a vibrant arts culture here in Mt. Pleasant to revitalize the community and draw more younger people to the area. According to Adams, after a presentation at the state arts council in 2017 it became clear that an arts culture is linked to a flourishing economy.

“It’s like Cedar Falls and how those downtown areas were revitalized by the influx of people into the community,” Adams said. “That’s something in Southeast Iowa we struggle with. Bringing people to live in the area, especially younger people. Having that arts culture definitely helps contribute to that.“

Adams said that having a similar arts culture could revitalize Southeast Iowa and bring in more economic power.

“When you are able to draw that younger demographic then you will have businesses open up to support that demographic. Then younger people will use their economic power and purchase,” Adams said.

With the community flourishing and an arts culture forming in Mt. Pleasant, the group appreciates the support from the community.

“We appreciate the support that we’ve received from the community, and we look forward to collaborating with the other organizations in town,” he said.