North Iowa Cultural Center And Museum

PROVIDE CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

THE NORTH IOWA CULTURAL CENTER AND MUSEUM OPERATES, MAINTAINS, AND PRESERVES THE HISTORICAL SURF BALLROOM LOCATED IN CLEAR LAKE, IOWA. OUR MUSEUM IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAILY. WE PROVIDE NUMEROUS PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE VISITORS AND FANS ABOUT THE HISTORY, AND CONTINUING SIGNIFICANCE, OF ALL GENRES OF MUSIC WITH AN EMPHASIS ON BIG BAND AND ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC. WE CARRIED OUT OUR MISSION THROUGH 1) THE OPERATION OF A MUSEUM WHERE WE COLLECT, ARCHIVE AND PRESERVE MUSICAL ARTIFACTS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS SO THEY MAY BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE WAY MUSIC HAS DEVELOPED DURING THE LAST CENTURY 2) THROUGH THE EMPLOYMENT OF AN EDUCATION DIRECTOR WHO CONDUCTS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS BOTH AT THE SURF BALLROOM AND THROUGHOUT THE AREA INCLUDING CLASSROOM VISITS, SCHOOL TOURS AT THE BALLROOM, PIANO AND VOICE LESSONS, SUMMER PROGRAMMING AND SPECIAL EVENTS, AND 3) WE PROVIDE NUMEROUS TOURS, SEMINARS, AND MUSICAL PROGRAMS FOR THE PUBLIC WHICH DEMONSTRATE THE MUSIC PERFORMED HERE AND IN AMERICA DURING THE PAST 65+ YEARS. 2019 PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 1. HOSTING MOTORCOACH TOURS 2. HOSTING 9,820 MUSEUM VISITORS FROM 50 STATES AND 19 FOREIGN COUNTRIES 3. HOSTING CONCERTS WITH ATTENDANCE OF 36,500 AND SPECIAL EVENTS WITH AN ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE OF 10,000 4. OFFERING PIANO AND VOICE LESSONS, RECITALS ARE HELD ANNUALLY FOR THESE STUDENTS 5. THE 'RAVE ON' EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM IS AVAILABLE TO MORE THAN 710 CLASSROOMS IN CERRO GORDO AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES. WITH THE AID OF THE 'RAVE ON' CURRICULUM WE VISITED CLASSROOMS IN 12 SCHOOL DISTRICTS RESULTING IN CONTACT WITH NEARLY 2,546 STUDENTS. WE ALSO HOSTED 10 SCHOOL TOURS OF THE SURF BALLROOM WITH MORE THAN 260 STUDENTS. THE SURF BALLROOM UNDERSTANDS THAT WITH BUDGET CUTS AND EVER GROWING FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS WITHIN SCHOOL DISTRICTS, FIELD TRIPS ARE INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO FINANCE. IN 2019, WE CONTINUED TO OFFER A PROGRAM CALLED STAR (SURF TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE REIMBURSEMENT) TO REIMBURSE SCHOOLS FOR TRANSPORTATION COSTS. ANY STUDENT GROUP PRE-K TO 12 WITHIN A 100 MILE RADIUS OF THE SURF BALLROOM QUALIFIES FOR THIS PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED WITH A PERCENTAGE OF THE SURF'S EDUCATIONAL BUDGET/FUNDS. 6. HOSTING EDUCATIONAL SPECIAL EVENTS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR INCLUDING A WINTER DANCE PARTY ART CONTEST WHERE MEMBERS OF THE RITCHIE VALENS FAMILY WERE PRESENT TO ANNOUNCE THE CONTEST WINNERS, THE "ROCKIN' KIDS SHOW" (WINTER DANCE PARTY PRESENTATION) WITH NEARLY 400 STUDENTS PARTICIPATING, HOSTING THE CLEAR CREEK ELEMENTARY 3RD GRADE ANNUAL MUSIC PROGRAM (50'S FOREVER) WITH MORE THAN 100 STUDENTS PERFORMING FOR OVER 200 PARENTS, ETC. SUMMER PROGRAMMING INCLUDED 1) "ROCK 'N TOTS" WHICH IS DESIGNED FOR PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS/CAREGIVERS AND TOTS WHO ARE WALKING THROUGH AGE 5. ATTENDEES EXPERIENCE THE HISTORICAL SURF BALLROOM BY ROCKIN' THROUGH THEMED LESSONS THAT FEATURE STORY TIME, MUSIC, MOVEMENT, AND INSTRUMENTS. 54 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED. 2) "CREATIVE ZONE SERIES" WHICH IS ALL ABOUT THE ARTISTIC PROCESS THAT TAKES PLACE BEHIND THE SCENES, SUPPORTING THE MESSAGE OF THE MUSIC AND THE MUSICIAN'S UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE. STUDENTS COULD EXPRESS THEMSELVES THROUGH THEIR OWN CUSTOM DESIGNS OF ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN USED THROUGHOUT MUSIC HISTORY AS WELL AS BY THEIR FAVORITE MUSICIANS TODAY. 3) "SURF READING PROGRAM" IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CLEAR LAKE AND GARNER PUBLIC LIBRARIES, THE SURF BALLROOM OFFERED ITS FIRST SUMMER READING PROGRAM IN 2019. BOOKS WITH A MUSICAL THEME WERE DONATED BY THE SURF BALLROOM FOR THE PROGRAM. THE BOOKS FEATURED A STICKER ON THE INSIDE COVER TO INDICATE IT WAS PART OF THE SURF'S SUMMER READING LIST. STUDENTS COULD KEEP TRACK OF HOW MANY BOOKS THEY READ, AND PICK UP A PRIZE AT THE SURF FOR ACCOMPLISHING THEIR GOAL 7. GIRL SCOUT PROGRAMS - IN 2019 SEVERAL GIRL SCOUT DAISY AND BROWNIE TROOP MEMBERS EARNED THEIR JOURNEY BADGES BY PARTICIPATING IN THE "ROCKIN' DRIVE-IN- AND "JR MUSIC BADGE" CLASSES. MORE THAN 100 GIRL SCOUTS VISITED THE BALLROOM TO ATTEND THESE CLASSES. THEY EARNED SPECIAL MUSIC BADGES AFTER MAKING THEIR OWN GUITARS AND BELLS OUT OF RECYCLED MATERIALS. 8. INTERNSHIPS - EACH YEAR SINCE IT'S INCEPTION, THE ORGANIZATION HAS OFFERED A SUMMER INTERNSHIP TO ONE STUDENT. THE POSITION'S FOCUS CAN VARY FROM EVENT MANAGEMENT/PLANNING AND MUSEUM OPERATIONS, TO FINANCE, MARKETING OR AUDIO/VIDEO TECHNICIAN ROLES. THIS PAID POSITION OFFERS STUDENTS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF AN ACTIVE VENUE WITH TIES TO MANY DIFFERENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. 9. HOSTED THE SUMMER SHOWCASE SERIES ON THURSDAYS DURING THE MONTHS OF JUNE TO AUGUST TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL UP AND COMING ARTISTS TO GROW THEIR STAGE PRESENCE AND PERFORM TO AUDIENCES IN A SIT-DOWN ENVIRONMENT. VARIOUS GENRES OF MUSIC, SUCH AS COUNTRY, ROCK, BLUES/ROOTS, ACOUSTIC, AND R&B WERE FEATURED TO ALSO EXPOSE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MUSIC TO FIT THE TASTES OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. CROWDS OF 60 TO 70 PEOPLE WERE IN ATTENDANCE EACH EVENING. 10. SURF DISTRICT ROCK 'N ROLL GRILL - INVESTED IN SHATTERPROOF CASES TO PROTECT AND DISPLAY MEMORABILIA IN A NEIGHBORING RESTAURANT (ARTICLES OF CLOTHING, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, POSTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS, ETC.) MORE THAN 50 PIECES OF MEMORABILIA NOW HELP OFFER A UNIQUE DINING OPPORTUNITY THAT ROCKS 11. "EVERYBODY ROCKS" CLASS - A PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS/AUTISM, THIS CLASS PROVIDED STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE SURF BALLROOM AND ITS IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY AND THE HISTORY OF THE MUSICIANS THAT HAVE PLAYED HERE. STUDENTS ALSO SPENT TIME DANCING AND CREATING THEIR OWN INSTRUMENTS. THIS PROGRAM WAS PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE SURF BALLROOM AND THE AUTISM CENTER/ONE VISION. 15 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM. 12. MUSIC ENRICHMENT CENTER (MEC)- IN JULY 2019, THE ORGANIZATION PURCHASED AN ADJACENT BUILDING LOCATED AT 509 BUDDY HOLLY PLACE. WITH FIRM CONTRACTS AND OFTEN TIME UNPREDICTABLE SCHEDULING OF ENTERTAINMENT, THE SURF RECOGNIZED THE NEED AND IMPORTANCE TO HAVE A SPACE DEDICATED TO EDUCATION. THE MEC IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ENGAGING, HANDS ON, LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS OF ALL AGES IN THE GREATER NORTH IOWA AREA. WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT SHARING THE STORIES OF THE HISTORIC SURF BALLROOM, CREATING RELAVANT CURRICULUM TO ASSIST SCHOOLS AND CONTINUALLY WORKING TO INSPIRE GENERATIONS THROUGH THE MUSIC THAT LIVES ON. GUITAR LESSONS WERE OFFERED AT THE MEC WITH 6 STUDENTS PARTICIPATING. A PARTNERSHIP WAS FORMED WITH NORTH IOWA AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE WITH A COMMON GOAL OF UTILIZING THE SPACE FOR ADULT CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THESE CLASSES TEACH INTRO TO GUITAR AND DIFFERENT STYLES OF PLAYING AS WELL AS TECHNIQUES, PERFORMANCE TIPS, AND MUCH MORE. 13. WITH AN INCREASED DEMAND FOR MATERIALS FOR HOMESCHOOLED STUDENTS, AS WELL AS THE REINTRODUCTION OF IOWA HISTORY TO THE IOWA CORE STANDARDS CURRICULUM, THE ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED THE NEED TO INCREASE THEIR SUPPORT OF MUSIC AND HISTORY EDUCATION PARTNERS. THE ORGANIZATION CREATED AND NOW OFFERS DOWNLOADABLE TEACHING RESOURCES ON THEIR WEBSITE. TEACHERS CAN DOWNLOAD LESSON PLANS, WORKSHEETS, PBIS REWARDS AND MORE TO USE EITHER AS STAND-ALONE TEACHING MATERIALS, OR USE ALONG WITH THE CURRICULUM-BASED SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERED BOTH ON SITE AT THE BALLROOM AND IN AREA CLASSROOMS. 14. HOSTED A FREE WILL DONATION FOR GENTLY USED INSTRUMENTS WITH THE GOAL OF STARTING A TRAVELING INSRUMENT TRUNK PROGRAM. THE DONATION EVENT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL, ALLOWING US TO CREATE TWO TRAVELING TRUNKS FOR AREA SCHOOLS - A ROCK N' ROLL INSTRUMENT TRUNK AND A BIG BAND INSTRUMENT TRUNK. THIS PROGRAM BRINGS THE SOUND OF ROCK 'N ROLL AND BIG BAND MUSIC TO AREA CLASSROOMS. FOR TWO WEEKS STUDENTS CAN FEEL, HOLD, PLAY, AND HEAR THE CLASSIC TOOLS OF MUSICIANS. STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE INSTRUMENT, HOW IT PRODUCES SOUND, PLAYING TECHNIQUE, AND IT'S TIES TO MUSIC THROUGHOUT HISTORY. THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO SCHOOLS WITHIN A 50 MILE RADIUS. THE NEW PROGRAM REACHED 60 STUDENTS.