â€˜Every Day, Everywhere Artâ€™ launching across Greater Des Moines

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You’ll find an unexpected satellite sculpture, a xylophone where you can play water quality data and DART buses full of live performances as Bravo Greater Des Moines leads a pilot effort to put more art in more places starting April 20.

These three initial experiences are a direct response to the Central Iowa Regional Cultural Assessment completed last fall. Funded by Bravo and led by a nine-member steering committee chaired by Drake University President Marty Martin, the Assessment identified four cultural priorities for leveraging the arts as essential drivers of quality of life and economic development. The first priority, “Every Day, Everywhere Art,” called for generating more spontaneous artistic and cultural connections in new and different places.

“We know the community recognizes the outstanding arts and culture already available in Greater Des Moines, but more art in more places is an important next step for the region,” said Bravo Greater Des Moines executive director Sally Dix. “These ‘Every Day, Everywhere Art’ pilot projects will drive more spontaneous creative collisions across the metro and create conversations to guide future projects.”

The Regional Cultural Assessment’s four cultural priorities will drive regional priorities outlined in Greater Des Moines’ Capital Crossroads vision for economic and cultural vitality. So in a very real way, Bravo’s new pop-up art projects—from an acapella group on a DART bus to a water xylophone—can enhance quality of life and advance priorities for regional growth.

“A vibrant arts and culture scene is essential for DSM’s ability to attract and retain talent and ensure a high quality of life for residents,” said Greater Des Moines Partnership CEO Jay Byers. “These pilot projects demonstrate a commitment to supporting creativity and innovation in our region.”

Group Creative Services, led by Teva Dawson and Mat Greiner, managed concept development and coordinated the artists and their projects for these initial installations.

“By bringing local, national and international artists together with regional partners like Bravo, DART and Drake University, we have tried to offer surprising and delightful experiences that will inspire audiences across the region,” said Dawson. “We hope these projects expand people’s definitions of public art and set the stage for more every day, everywhere art in the future.”

Details on the art can be found at http://www.bravogreaterdesmoines.org and by using #bravodsm and #everywhereart as the works unfold over the next two weeks.

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