River Museum Receives Cultural Leadership Partners Program Operating Grant
DUBUQUE, IOWA (September 2025) – The Dubuque County Historical Society’s National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium has received a $20,000 Cultural Leadership Partners Program Operating Support Grant. Support is provided by Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).
Funding will support two strategic initiatives that endeavor to advance the River Museum’s visitor experience through the creation of a new evaluation plan and an educational assessment of current interpretive modalities and their alignment to core themes. These initiatives intersect to inform next steps for revision, evaluation, and future implementation of the Museum’s new interpretive master plan.
The Cultural Leadership Partners Grant is one of seven arts-focused grant programs offered by IEDA and administered by the Iowa Arts Council. In total, IEDA approved 173 awards to Iowa organizations and Iowans in more than 60 communities from these grant programs. Projects awarded funding range from arts and cultural festivals and live theatre performances to exhibitions, film productions, and community public art projects.
“Arts and culture are integral to economic vitality,” said IEDA Director Debi Durham. “They not only drive growth within our communities but also enhance the quality of life, making our state a more attractive destination for both visitors and new residents.”
“As one of the largest cultural institutions in Iowa and the largest in Dubuque, the River Museum is dedicated to creating relevant and contemporary experiences,” said Kurt Strand, President & CEO of the Dubuque County Historical Society. “We are grateful for the support of our partners at the National Endowment for the Arts, the Iowa Arts Council, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority and for grant programs like this one that advance the tremendous work of arts and culture communities across the state.”
