Iowa’s Living Roadways Celebration

Get Creative: Tactics for Placemaking

On November 7th in Ames, small-town residents from throughout the state will gather to explore artful and unique ways to celebrate our communities, while enhancing transportation systems. Sometimes even small, temporary projects can lead to big impacts. Since 1996, the Community Visioning program has collaborated with more than 260 Iowa towns to create thoughtful, innovative solutions that build on the values and pride of the people who live, work, and play there. Come see the visions for our 2024 communities and learn tactics for how you might try out some creative placemaking in your town.

Description of the Day

Take a day to get in touch with your imaginative side! You don’t have be a Van Gogh to create community art, and you don’t have to be a Rockefeller to pay for it. Simple, inexpensive, artful elements can have a positive, lasting impact on your community by engaging with the local population to beautify a space and create a sense of place.

Panel and Roundtable Discussion

Learn about artful placemaking from Tony Garcia, nationally recognized expert in placemaking and co-founder of Street Plans, and Jennifer Drinkwater, ISU Extension Community Arts Specialist. Then spend some time with others at your table talking about local successes.

Tour of Community Boards

Get inspired by the 2024 Community Visioning towns’ creative concepts.

Luncheon, Keynote, and Partner Recognition

During lunch, Luis Rico-Gutierrez will discuss how artful intervention can create vibrant places.

Exhibitor Fair

Meet representatives from businesses with the knowledge and expertise to help you complete a community project, whether you need design services, signage, lighting, or other amenities.

Afternoon Mini-Workshops

Our morning panelists will lead placemaking activities and present examples to get your creative juices flowing.

Grant Writing 101

Learn tips and tricks for writing an effective grant application from ISU specialists.

New Community Orientation

The 2025 Community Visioning towns will dive into the process by learning about the components that make up the local transportation system and by applying their local knowledge through a mapping exercise focused on their community.

Registration is now closed.