Harvesting the Arts 2020

Dear EIAA Friends, 

Well, nothing has been ordinary about this year! We hope that you are weathering the many changes that have happened due to COVID-19. We are working every day to make sure that the arts are readily accessible to students to help them process what they are experiencing, despite not meeting in person. We are even getting art supplies and instruments into the hands of our members to help them make art and music! Due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread effects of the Derecho that passed through Iowa on August 10th, EIAA’s annual Harvesting the Arts event will look different this year. 

There are two ways you can support EIAA this year. 

• We will have a limited online auction including art by area artists as well as some amazing baskets. The auction will be open November 1st and will run through November 13th. Please check out the items up for bid by visiting www.auctria.com/auction/HTA2020 any time during that two-week period. 

• Additionally, we are asking for your support through a direct donation to the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy. Our hope is that each person/couple who “attends” HTA 2020 will consider a donation of $200*, which is the average amount spent to purchase a ticket to the event along with the cost of games and beverages. If we meet that goal, we will come very close to raising the amount we raise at HTA in a typical year. To make a direct donation, please visit our Donation Station on the website, or mail your check to 1841 E Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, by November 13th. 

Area non- profits, like EIAA, need your help now more than ever to keep our programming going and to continue to reach out to area students. We are missing our students and they are missing us. Recently, a parent reached out to EIAA staff to say, 

 “I just want to say that I really wish more people knew how amazing, kind and generous everyone is at the Arts Academy. Not just the staff for parents, but the kids pick goodness up from ALL of you. In a year of so much negativity, you guys bring so much needed light”. 

Thank you, in advance, for your support of this year’s reimagined event. We will look forward to seeing you all, in person, in November 2021!!! 

- David Griffin, Co-Executive Director
- Tracy McPartland, Co-Executive Director 

 *The 2020 CARES Act now allows for a $300 deductible charitable donation, even for those who do not normally itemize.