Highlights

    See what makes the Celebrate Iowa Gala unique and how it has helped give Iowans access to arts, history and culture experiences at the State Historical Museum of Iowa and across the state.

    2020

    • Honoring the life and legacy of the Oscar-winning actress Donna Reed with her daughter Mary Owen along with a special guest live from New York City -- the Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award nominee Brandon Victor Dixon.
    • Featured performances by Stevie Lewarne Poni Lejukole at Terrace Hill.
    • Ballet performance of Peter and The Wolf
    • Iowa High School Student Music Awards Showcase presented by Des Moines Performing Arts
    • Artist interview with Marissa Hernandez in Des Moines and interview Andrew Sherburne and musical performance by Blake Shaw at FilmScene in Iowa City
    • Special guest interview with Liz Gilman and Tom Arnold in Des Moines 
    • An Iowa food and beverage report from Jasper Winery in Des Moines, Maytag Dairy Farms in Newton, Piper’s Chocolates and Grocery in Chariton and Single Speed Brewing in Waterloo,  
    • Musical performance from The Brazilian 2wins at the American Gothic House and Taylor Peek at the Art Church in Malvern
    • Special guest interview with Simon Estes, Opera Hall of Famer in Des Moines
    • Museum feature of the Haitian Art exhibit with Chawne Paige in Waterloo 
    • Musical performance by the Holy Rocka Rollaz at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake

    2019 

    2018

    • Surprise serenade from the Iowa State Cyclone Marching Band
    • VIP Sponsor Reception with Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg
    • Self-guided tours of the latest museum exhibit, "Visible Vault"
    • Live painting by mural artist Ben Schuh
    • The Portrait Studio, with live drawing, and a photo booth with digital backdrops of historic Iowa photos
    • Music by Iowa Arts Council fellow River Glen, the Awful Purdies and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

    2017

    • The 2017 gala celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Iowa Arts Council and the 160th anniversary of the State Historical Society of Iowa.
    • A reception for VIP sponsors featured Honorary Chairs Lt. Governor Adam Gregg and Mrs. Cari Gregg.
    • NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson mingled with guests and donated a flight suit to the museum.
    • Annalibera, Damani Phillips Trio and Parranderos Latin Combo entertained guests with live music.
    • Guests met famous Iowans in the Living Wax Museum, populated by costumed young historians from Urbandale’s Webster Elementary School.
    • Iowa Arts Council Fellow Brent Holland installed artwork he specially designed for the celebration.
    • Iowa restaurants, brewers and distillers provided all sorts of homegrown delicacies and drinks, including Iowa’s 2017 Best Burger from Storm Lake.

    2016

    • VIP Sponsor Reception with Honorary Chairs Governor Terry E. Branstad & First Lady Chris Branstad
    • Unique foods and cocktails from across the state
    • Musical Performances by Chad Elliott, DSM Dueling Fiddles, and Christopher the Conquered
    • Guests interacted with the Living Wax Museum, a group of pint-sized, costumed historians from Urbandale’s Webster Elementary School.
    • Artists from The Portrait Studio created unique, hand-drawn portraits of attendees
    • The Slo Mo Photo Booth gave attendees the opportunity to use props and join their friends to make unique slow motion videos that could be shared through email or social media
    • Guests were some of the first to experience the new Iowa History 101 exhibit before it opened to the public.
    • Guests also had the opportunity

    2015

    • VIP Sponsor Reception with Honorary Chairs Governor Terry E. Branstad & First Lady Chris Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds & Mr. Kevin Reynolds
    • Unique foods and cocktails from across the state
    • Musical Performances by violinist Genevieve Salamone, Max Wellman, and the Dandelion Stompers
    • Iowa Culture Experience allowed guests to place themselves at one of Iowa’s historic sites
    • Artists from The Portrait Studio created unique, hand-drawn portraits of attendees
    • Guests were the first to see A Record of Service, a new display commemorating Governor Branstad’s milestone of becoming the longest-serving governor in American history

    2014

    • VIP & Sponsor Reception with Honorary Chairs Governor Terry E. Branstad and First Lady Chris Branstad
    • Special Guest Mr. Norman Lear, legendary Hollywood producer and Honorary Iowan
    • Featured performance by the Revival Center Church Choir
    • Academy Award living statue and Donna Reed impersonator
    • Edible Iowa cupcake mural

    2013

    • VIP & Sponsor Reception featuring Ballet Des Moines with Honorary Chairs Governor Terry E. Branstad and First Lady Chris Branstad
    • Civil War interpreters and century artifacts from 1913
    • 18-piece big band Turner Center Jazz Orchestra
    • Iowa’s Best Burger
    • Rand McNally globe from the former Des Moines Register building
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