With less than two weeks left to raise money, three area art projects are way behind their goals

The Northeast Iowa Arts Funding Council is struggling to reach its goal of raising $5,000 for each of three local art projects.

The group has created a crowdfunding website, www.iowaart.org, and is trying to use it to raise money for three projects:

--The Puppet Project in Decorah has raised $448.33 in donations to create three large-scale parade puppets to add to their troupe.
 
--Nisse on the Trail in Decorah has raised $403.33 in donations to create permanent Nisse sculptures on the Trout Run Trail.

--The Creativity Center's Artisan Cafe and Courtyard in Guttenberg has raised $543.33 in donations to develop a student-run cafe.

Fundraising for all three projects will run through the end of July.  "The challenge for us is having to educate people on what crowdfunding is--before even being able to discuss the website," said Northeast Iowa Arts Funding Council member Mary Kay Johnson.  "We hope some major events in the area like Nordic Fest and RAGBRAI bring national attention to this website, but we still need to get the local people supporting their local artists and fellow community members," she added.

To learn more, visit www.IowaART.org.