It is an exciting time for Marshalltown! Congratulations to our city on the Council’s decision to invest in the implementation of our community’s Arts & Culture Master Plan! This is a positive step forward in helping Marshalltown become the place that people, young and old, want to live, learn, work, and play.

I was born and raised in Marshalltown, and I am currently a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame majoring in Marketing and Visual Communication Design. Last year, I wrote an argumentative research paper, “Cool S*** for my Hometown,” supporting the implementation of a percent-for-creative placemaking policy in Marshalltown.

I learned that creative placemaking uses arts and culture to shape the physical and social character of our environment. Research shows that investing in creative design helps attract and retain citizens by strengthening a sense of community pride and attachment.

A vibrant arts and culture scene helps people develop connections to their environment, which in turn, can lead to volunteerism and community involvement. It helps us establish a commitment to where we live and an emotional connection that drives our behavior. In addition, investments in creativity bolster “sales, income, and property tax revenues paid to local governments, enabling better maintenance of and additions to public infrastructure like streets, lighting, sanitation, greenery, and public safety.” (Creative Placemaking, Ann Markusen, Anne Gadwa, National Institute for the Endowment of Arts, 2010)

This past summer I had the amazing opportunity to work as an intern for the Arts+Culture Alliance. I’ve witnessed firsthand Amber Danielson’s passion for our community, culture, and design. With her leadership and expertise, and with the support of our City and its citizenry working together, I am confident that the council’s decision will prove to be a worthwhile investment that will help to revitalize and renew our city. And I can’t wait to see it happen!