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Stacy Hansen, Executive Director, Iowa High School Speech Association
On October 9–10, nearly 275 IHSSA coaches gathered at the Gateway Hotel in Ames for the IHSSA Coaches Convention, “IHSSA + YOU: Cracking the Code.” Across two days, coaches connected, collaborated, created and explored new ideas for contests and classroom initiatives. New coaches were welcomed with practical resources, encouragement, and support, while experienced coaches were challenged and ignited by fresh techniques and perspectives. The convention also offered the opportunity to celebrate two outstanding coaches, Le Cox and Eric Upmeyer of Vinton-Shellsburg, as they were inducted into the IHSSA Hall of Fame. It was two days of learning, laughter, connection, and a shared commitment to and passion for affirming and furthering speech education in Iowa. |
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IHSSA Contest Managers
IHSSA Convention Committee
IHSSA Hall of Fame
IHSSA Judge Certification Committee
IHSSA Novice Coaches Forum
Heather Noethe, President, Art Educators of Iowa
Art educators from across the state came together in Des Moines on October 2–3 for the 2026 Art Educators of Iowa (AEI) Fall Conference. Guided by this year’s theme, “Honing Your Craft,” attendees explored how to reframe traditional craft media while centering student voice, choice, and creative expression.
Hosted at Hope+ELIM in the Drake Neighborhood, the two-day event offered engaging hands-on workshops, a Maker’s Fair, and keynotes from inspiring local artists:
Ben Millett, a renowned quilt artist, shared his work bridging digital concepts with physical fiber arts.
Jennifer Lee, a Des Moines ceramicist, spoke on elevating functional craft and community engagement through clay.
Thank you to conference coordinators Liz Bloomburg and Morgan Singleton, as well as all the presenters and vendors, for creating such an energizing weekend of professional learning and connection!
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Wednesday, Oct. 28, 4:00–4:45 pm
Last month, Dan Black (Council Bluffs, Modern Band & Guitar Classes and Orchestra) and David Haas (Iowa City, Digital Music Production and Choir) shared how they have brought popular music approaches into their school programs. This month, we will keep the conversation going with an open, participant-driven discussion. Bring your questions, ideas, and experiences as we explore what standards-based, high-quality instruction can look like through the lens of popular music. Email diana.hawley@iowa.gov for a calendar invitation and the meeting link.
Curious about popular music possibilities? Join the Popular Music Community of Practice to receive invitations to our monthly virtual meet-ups. These opt-in “office hours” are a chance to learn from and share with colleagues across the state. All are welcome!
Ken Harrison, Director of Educational Services, Iowa PBS
 Iowa PBS Education would love to visit your school! We are partnering with the Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum to share the true story of a brave and adventurous dog named Chica, using professionally framed illustrations from the published book. Students will enjoy a storytime with Spanish influences amid a real art gallery experience!
We will bring custom, bilingual Iowa PBS KIDS activity books, with watercolors and markers for students to use afterward. Every classroom also gets to keep a hardcover copy of Chica by Iowan Karen Duncan, illustrated by Joseph Broghammer.
This program is designed primarily for grades K–3 and is available to schools in southwest Iowa: Adair, Adams, Audubon, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Fremont, Guthrie, Harrison, Lucas, Madison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Taylor, Union, and Wayne counties.
To learn more or schedule a visit, contact abby@iowapbs.org.
Music educators from across Iowa will gather November 19–21 at Iowa State’s Scheman Building in Ames for the 2026 Iowa Music Educators Association (IMEA) Professional Development Conference. Sessions are organized into strands for band, choral, orchestra, and general music, plus advocacy, best practice, innovative practice, technology, and new teacher/collegiate, so there is something for every music educator. Highlights include reading sessions, sight-reading and assessment strategies, and a live rehearsal demonstration with students. A graduate credit option is also available through the University of Northern Iowa.
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The 2026 Iowa Thespian Festival will be held Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14, on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls. It is open to all theatre students and teachers in Iowa. Over two days, participants can:
- Grow their knowledge through interactive workshops on every aspect of theatre—onstage, backstage, and everywhere in between.
- Experience performances of all kinds: staged readings and improv, student-written works, one-acts, and full-scale main stage productions.
- Showcase their talents through college auditions, the Tech Challenge, and the Thespy Awards.
- Build their theatre family—they’ll meet hundreds of Thespians and theatre educators.
The Iowa Thespian Festival is where students see, think, and do theatre for two incredible days!
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Seeking Presenters for the 2027 Iowa Fine Arts Education Summit
The Iowa Alliance for Arts Education, together with the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Arts Council, is hosting the 2027 Iowa Fine Arts Education Summit on June 15, 2027, at the FFA Enrichment Center on the DMACC Ankeny campus. We are seeking presenters to lead 45-minute sessions addressing the Summit theme: “The Arts Are the Answer.” Presenters from all arts disciplines are welcome to apply, and selected presenters will receive a $300 stipend per session. Proposals will be accepted through January 15, 2027, and selected presenters will be notified by March 1, 2027.
Iowa students in grades K–12 are invited to enter the 2026 Bird Art Contest, hosted in Iowa by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as part of Wildlife Forever’s Art of Conservation® program. Students create original artwork, along with a short creative writing piece, featuring a bird species found in Iowa, from the American Goldfinch (Iowa’s state bird) to the Red-headed Woodpecker. Entries are online only, and teachers can submit for a whole class. The deadline is November 30, 2026. Before entering, review the contest rules & guidelines. Questions? Contact Gus Elliott at gus.elliott@dnr.iowa.gov.
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This report from the Arts Education Partnership looks at how arts education connects to the durable skills associated with workforce success, drawing on practical classroom examples aligned to fine arts anchor standards. Educators may find it a useful reference during curriculum review, course or program planning, or professional learning conversations, especially when considering how arts instruction fits with a district’s portrait of a graduate or other local priorities. |
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Keeping the Iowa fine arts education community informed and connected
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Iowa Thespian Festival | November 13–14, 2026 | University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls
Iowa Music Educators Association 2026 Professional Development Conference | November 19–21, 2026 | Iowa State Center, Ames
Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) All-State Music Festival | November 19–21, 2026 | Iowa State Center, Ames
Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) State Debate Tournament | January 8–9, 2027 | DMACC, Ankeny
Know of an event, conference, or opportunity for Iowa fine arts educators? Send it to diana.hawley@iowa.gov to be included on The Iowa Arts Education Calendar.
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Sign up and share the Fine Arts Exchange with your colleagues.
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Diana Hawley, DMA
Education Program Consultant, Fine Arts
Bureau of Academic and Learner Supports
Iowa Department of Education
Grimes State Office Building
400 E 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-371-0410
diana.hawley@iowa.gov
https://educate.iowa.gov
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