Several Q-C arts and cultural organizations received emergency relief funding, among 173 grants throughout Iowa announced Wednesday by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (IDCA). The department awarded more than $1.1 million in grants — $923,372 for emergency relief and another $178,000 in humanities grants to help Iowa cultural organizations rebound from the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Funding for the emergency relief grants was made possible by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The IDCA distributed CARES Act funds through its partnerships... Read More

Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!, the Family Museum’s newest traveling exhibit opens Saturday, June 6 and runs through September 13. Introducing young children into the world of Curious George, the exhibit leads visitors on a fun, meaningful interactive math, science and engineering-based adventure while it emphasizes the central role that parents and caregivers play. The exhibit is based on the familiar characters in H.A. and Margret Rey’s classic stories and the television series produced by Imagine Entertainment, WGBH Boston and Universal Studios Family Productions airing on PBS KIDS®... Read More

Quad Cities Museum Week, previously scheduled for June 6 – 14, has been postponed. Museums, in partnership with Visit Quad Cities, determined that the dates were not feasible for all museums to participate because of current COVID-19 guidelines in the Quad Cities bi-state region. The museums and Visit Quad Cities will regroup in July to discuss moving forward with a September or October date.  Quad Cities Museum Week launched in June of 2015 through efforts by Visit Quad Cities and area museums. The goal was to create an annual event that celebrates the individuality of each museum’s experience... Read More

Bettendorf’s Family Museum and Davenport’s Figge Art Museum have taken different approaches to re-opening after shutdowns caused by the Covid-19 crisis. Since Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds allowed museums to re-open (among other places) on May 22, the Family Museum opened that day, while the Figge will open June 9, following members-only opening June 6 and 7. Kim Kidwell, director of the Family Museum, used the two-month closure to completely clean the facility, do needed renovations and train staff in disinfecting and safety guidelines. “We have been getting ready to reopen, pretty much over the... Read More

Following Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ lifting of restrictions for public openings this week, the Figge Art Museum (225 W. 2nd S., Davenport) will reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 9 and to members-only on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7. Admission will be free in an effort to create a no-touch visitor experience and visitors will be required to reserve a time slot prior to their visit. New policies and procedures designed to keep the museum staff and visitors safe upon reopening will be shared soon, according to Figge marketing director Natalie Dunlop, The Figge Cafe will remain closed in... Read More

Like many musicians, artists, theaters and other arts organizations in this surreal time, Quad-Cities museums are putting their collections and programs online. Forced by the coronavirus crisis to close down March 17, Davenport’s Figge Art Museum, German American Heritage Center & Museum, and Putnam Museum & Science Center have significantly boosted their websites and social-media presence. The “virtual museum” has become reality for museums worldwide. “The challenge is with reaching our audience during this time of closure, really has brought this new opportunity... Read More

The German American Heritage Center is shutting down through April 16, extending their closure as per the recommendation of the governor. The museum released the following statement today: The GAHC wants to do our part in “flattening the curve” to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. We will extend our closures to April 16, as recommended by Governor Reynolds. But we want to let you know our staff is doing well, working from home and checking on our beautiful property daily. We hope you are all doing well too and we want to let you know about a few things we are working on. We can’t... Read More

Hey, let’s face it, we all know this is a troubling time. With all of the precautions, panic and precarious situations surrounding the coronavirus, it’s gotten very difficult to maintain a positive outlook. However, no matter how negative things may get, there are always people out there helping, there are always people out there trying to do the right thing, there are always people out there being kind and trying to make the world a better place, and those people and their actions are all the more significant and impactful now. That’s why this column, and the live segment on KWQC-TV6’s... Read More

Davenport’s German American Heritage Center is closing its doors through at least the end of March, due to coronavirus concerns. The museum sent the following release out today: Dear friends, The health and safety of our community and the German American Heritage Center volunteers, members, guests, and staff is our top priority. In the past weeks we have implemented sanitizing and cleaning procedures to keep our facilities a safe place to visit. But the time has come to temporarily close our doors to the public through Tuesday, March 31. This means we have postponed our Eiermarkt Spring... Read More

Show your love for the Figge Art Museum this Valentine’s Day – Friday, February 14! Don’t spend money on flowers that will wilt, or calorie filled chocolate, instead make a gift for the museum’s first Annual Day of Giving. Whether you make a gift of $5 or $500, the Figge would love to be your Valentine and any amount will make a difference in reaching our one-day goal of $5,000. Enjoy special incentives and contests while showing your support with an online gift at: www.mightycause.com/organization/Figge. “This is the Figge’s first annual day of giving and we are so excited,” says... Read More