Arts for Life
About the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy
The Eastern Iowa Arts Academy is a nonprofit after school arts organization created for K – 12th grade students in the Greater Cedar Rapids metro area. EIAA offers classes in art, music, drama, dance, cultural arts and creative writing. EIAA’s multidisciplinary and multicultural arts programs enhance the appreciation of the arts, strengthen performance abilities, provide quality after school activities, and celebrate the rich diversity in our community.
EIAA Mission
To create inspiring arts opportunities for life.
EIAA Vision
We promise to ignite passion and build community through the exploration of visual and performing arts.
How it all started:
Local music educator David Griffin launched the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy (EIAA) in 2007.
David received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1991 with an emphasis in Piano Performance and K-12 Choral Music. He received his Masters Degree in Secondary Educational Administration from the University of Northern Iowa in 2002. He spent the first 5 years of his teaching career at Waverly Shell-Rock Jr. High School and is currently in his 28th year of teaching middle school choral music in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He currently teaches choral music at Franklin Middle School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The ambitious idea was to provide after-school arts programs for K-12 students in art, music, dance, drama, cultural arts and creative writing in the Cedar Rapids area, with classes to be taught by professional artists and educators at little or no cost to participants. Since its inception, not only have the original goals been met, EIAA’s outreach has grown to include programs for individuals with a wide variety of special needs, residents of senior living communities, partnerships with area social service agencies, and fine arts opportunities for all ages at its Music and Arts Studios.
While EIAA’s passion and primary goal has always been to provide high-quality opportunities for children to explore, excel at, and develop an appreciation for the visual and performing arts, EIAA’s programs also:
- Keep kids safe and engaged in meaningful and enriching activity.
- Provide an outlet for creative expression, helping kids build self-esteem and a general sense of well-being.
- Focus on providing artistic opportunities for low-income families, low-income neighborhoods and individuals with special needs
Art
Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Ceramics, Fiber Arts, Stained Glass, Graphic Arts, Illustration, Anime, Mixed Media and much more!
Writing
Creative Writing, Song Writing.
Music
Introduction to Guitar, Choir, Show Choir, Mallet Percussion Ensemble, Percussion, Music Production, and Rock Band!
Drama
Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theatre, Shadow Puppets, and Readers Theatre.
Cultural Arts
Exploring multiple cultures through the study of music, visual arts, dance, theatre, and creative writing students broaden their understanding of diverse cultures.
Dance
Dance teams, Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Step Teams, and Creative Movement.