The City of Indianola is currently in the process of applying for an Iowa Great Places designation, and has made it to the final round of the process which included a tour of the area. Lorin Ditzler with Hometown Pride, which was designated by the Indianola City Council to administer the application, tells KNIA News the Iowa Great Places Designation is a statewide program that recognizes places in Iowa that are unique, and allows those designated as a great place to apply for funding opportunities and resources. Ditzler said among many areas of focus for the application was the arts and culture of Indianola that stand out.

“Our opportunities like the National Balloon Classic and the National Balloon Museum, the Des Moines Metro Opera which is a unique offering, and of course all the performances from our schools as well as Simpson College. Carousel Theatre, the Indianola Concert Association, and other cultural opportunities we focused on, those arts and culture things that make us stand out in Indianola.”

The Iowa Great Places Designation is run by Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and focuses on elevating the role arts, history and culture play as an economic driver, a catalyst for the creative sector, and a key ingredient in our quality of life.