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Visit our store where you can donate any amount, from $1 to $5,000 (or MORE!).
Checks are also accepted and can be sent to:
Eastern Iowa Arts Academy
2630 B Ave NE
Cedar Rapids, IA
52402
(Please put "Arthur" in the memo line)
If you would like to discuss donating an even larger amount to our ADA Capital Construction Project, please contact our Executive Director, Heather Dewey Wagner by calling 319-350-1805, or emailing her at heather@eiaaprogram.org
Arthur School Is Becoming a Home for Accessible Arts in Cedar Rapids
When Eastern Iowa Arts Academy moved into the historic Arthur Elementary School, we did more than save a building. We opened the doors to a growing arts home for children, teens, adults, artists, musicians, families, and neighbors.
Today, Arthur is already full of life. Students are taking art classes, music lessons, Rock Academy rehearsals, private lessons, recording sessions, open studios, adult classes, and community programs inside a building that once served generations of Cedar Rapids students. The halls are active again, and the impact is immediate.
Since moving into Arthur, our onsite student participation has grown by nearly 400 percent. Nearly 80 percent of our kindergarten through twelfth grade students receive financial assistance. Through our onsite programs, school partnerships, outreach, and Community Art Huts, Eastern Iowa Arts Academy reaches thousands of young people and families each year.
Arthur is no longer just a former school. It is becoming a place where creativity, access, belonging, and community support come together every day.
Why We Still Need Your Help
Although the building is active and growing, it is not yet fully accessible.
Our next major priority is completing critical accessibility improvements so that every student, family member, artist, musician, volunteer, and visitor can fully participate. This includes an elevator, accessible restrooms, accessible sinks and counters, improved entrances, clearer wayfinding, and safer access throughout the building.
These updates are not extras. They are essential.
We believe the arts should be available to everyone, and that means our building must reflect that promise. Your gift helps us move closer to a fully accessible community arts center where students of all abilities can create, perform, record, learn, and be part of something meaningful.
What Your Gift Supports
A donation to the Arthur accessibility and repurposing project helps Eastern Iowa Arts Academy:
- Create accessible spaces for students and artists of all abilities.
- Complete ADA restrooms, elevator access, sinks, counters, and building improvements.
- Preserve the historic character of Arthur School while giving it a new life.
- Support students who need financial aid, transportation, food, clothing, and creative opportunities.
- Expand programs such as Rock Academy, TalkBack Studios, North Star Studio, adult art programs, open studios, and community events.
- Provide safe, welcoming spaces for local artists, musicians, teachers, families, and neighbors.
Every gift matters. A gift of any size helps us keep this momentum going and brings us closer to a building that truly works for everyone.
Our Goals for Arthur School
Create a fully accessible arts center
Our most urgent goal is to make Arthur accessible. Students, families, and artists should not be limited by stairs, inaccessible bathrooms, narrow entry points, or spaces that were not designed for their needs. Accessibility allows more people to learn, create, record, perform, volunteer, and participate with dignity.
Preserve a historic Cedar Rapids building
Arthur School has served this community for more than a century. We are honoring that history by preserving the building’s character while giving it a new purpose. The original wood, glass, signage, school details, and neighborhood history are part of what makes Arthur special.
Expand creative opportunities for all ages
Arthur gives us room to grow. It allows us to serve children, teens, adults, local artists, musicians, students with disabilities, families, and community partners in one shared space. From private lessons to recording sessions, from adaptive art to adult workshops, from youth bands to community gatherings, Arthur makes more possible.
How Arthur Is Already Impacting the Community
The impact is already visible.
Students who once had limited access to arts programming now have a place to come after school, on weekends, and throughout the year. Teen musicians have rehearsal and performance opportunities. Young artists have studios, supplies, teachers, and encouragement. Adults are finding creative connection through classes and open studio opportunities. Families have access to a food pantry, clothing closet, financial aid, and a supportive community.
TalkBack Studios gives students and community members access to recording, sound engineering, vocal work, podcasts, and music production. Rock Academy continues to give young musicians real stage experience. North Star Studio is being developed to serve students with more significant disabilities through adaptive creative experiences. Our Community Art Huts continue to reach neighborhoods beyond our building by providing free art supplies to children and families.
Arthur is helping us meet people where they are, while giving them a place to grow.
How We Will Sustain This Work
Eastern Iowa Arts Academy is building a sustainable future inside Arthur School through a mix of programming, earned income, fundraising, partnerships, rentals, and long term donor support.
Revenue from adult classes, private lessons, recording services, gym rentals, community rentals, and future artist spaces will help support the building and keep programs accessible. At the same time, grants, donations, sponsorships, and endowment growth will help protect the mission long term.
Our goal is not only to renovate a building. Our goal is to create a permanent home for accessible arts education in Cedar Rapids.
How We Will Measure Success
We will know this project is successful when Arthur is fully accessible and actively serving the community every day.
Success means students of all abilities can enter the building, use the restrooms, reach classrooms, access studios, and participate fully. It means more students receiving financial aid. It means more families using our programs and support services. It means more artists, musicians, teachers, and community members using the building. It means preserving the history of Arthur while creating a future that belongs to everyone.
Most importantly, success means students feel safe, seen, creative, and connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eastern Iowa Arts Academy doing with Arthur School?
Eastern Iowa Arts Academy is repurposing the historic Arthur Elementary School into an accessible community arts center. The building is already home to youth art and music programs, Rock Academy, TalkBack Studios, private lessons, adult classes, open studios, community events, a food pantry, a clothing closet, and growing adaptive arts programming.
The next major step is completing the accessibility work needed to make the building fully welcoming for people of all abilities.
Why is accessibility such a major part of this project?
Because access is the foundation of our mission. A community arts center cannot truly serve the community if some people cannot fully use the building. Elevator access, ADA restrooms, accessible sinks, safer entrances, and improved navigation will make it possible for more students, families, artists, and visitors to participate.
How does this project honor Arthur School’s history?
Arthur School has been part of Cedar Rapids for generations. Instead of allowing the building to sit empty or disappear, we are giving it a new purpose while preserving the details that make it special. The history of the building will remain visible and valued as it becomes a home for arts, music, learning, and community connection.
Are there rental spaces available?
Arthur School includes spaces that can be used for community rentals, gym rentals, events, classes, and future artist use. Rental income helps support the building and keeps our programs accessible.
How can I help?
You can help by making a donation, volunteering, sharing our story, connecting us with donors, or supporting our events and programs.
A gift today helps us complete critical accessibility improvements and continue building a permanent home for the arts in Cedar Rapids.
Make a Gift
Help us finish this important work.
Your donation helps Eastern Iowa Arts Academy create a fully accessible arts center where students, artists, musicians, families, and neighbors can create, connect, and thrive.
Donate today and be part of Arthur School’s next chapter.