Fundraising for the arts website is being launched

The Nisse on the Trail Project is one of the groups "looking" for funding.

Northeast Iowa RC&D is launching Iowa's first crowd funding website for the arts. The website, www.IowaART.org, will begin accepting donations for three projects starting on Tuesday, July 1st,. Each project is requesting $5,000 and your contribution may be tax deductible as a charitable donation. Some of the projects offer special incentives for contributors.
 
Northeast Iowa RC&D Executive Director Lora Friest notes, "The public has a chance to contribute large and small amounts to multiple projects and then watch as those project funds are raised to see if the projects meet their goal." It's called crowd funding because many people can each donate a small amount to reach a larger goal.

The three projects open for contributions on July 1st include The Puppet Project, Nisse on the Trail, and the Creativity Center: Artisan Cafe and Courtyard.  The Puppet Project will help develop three giant parade puppets that will make appearances in parades around Northeast Iowa. The Nisse on the Trail Project will develop permanent Nisse sculptures along the Trout Run Trail. The Creativity Center Project will bring culinary arts to the after school fine arts program in Guttenberg.

If the www.IowaART.org crowd funding website is successful, the RC&D plans to continue using it to fund additional art projects each year.