Please join us for a special evening exploring Iowa City as a creative ecosystem during the public keynote panel opening the 2026 Association of Academic Museums and Galleries (AAMG) Conference. All are welcome. This is a unique opportunity for Iowa City residents to experience a gathering of museum and cultural professionals from across the country, right here in our community, regardless of conference registration.

The event will bring together leaders working across the arts, humanities, writing, museum practice, and cultural engagement to reflect on how place shapes creativity and collaboration.

Moderated by University of Iowa School of Music Director and Professor, Tammie Walker, in conversation with panelists Cate Dicherry (Director, International Writing Program), Maura Pilcher (Director, Grant Wood Art Colony), Bruce Scherting (Former Director, Project Art), and Alisa Weinstein (Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Administrative Services Coordinator in Creative Writing, Instructor and Co-Founder of Home Ec. Workshop, and former Program Coordinator for the Iowa Summer Writing Festival).

Together, they will explore Iowa City as an internationally recognized creative hub and consider how the University of Iowa and broader community form a connection as artistic practice, scholarship, and public life intersect and evolve.

The event is presented as part of the opening night for the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries (AAMG) 2026 Conference in partnership with the University of Iowa's Galleries, Libraries, Museums, and Archives (GLAM) and sponsor Bloomberg Connects.