The University of Iowa's Hancher has spearheaded an effort that has resulted in Iowa City being chosen for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Any Given Child program. Iowa City is the eighth city to join the program, which creates a long-range arts education plan for students in grades K-8.

Iowa City joins Sacramento, Calif.; Springfield, Mo.; Portland, Ore.; Southern Nevada; Tulsa, Okla.; Sarasota, Fla., and Austin, Texas. Hancher facilitated the collaboration that led to the selection of Iowa City and will continue to be a central collaborator as the project moves forward.

Any Given Child seeks to bring access, balance, and equity to each child’s arts education, using an affordable model that combines the resources of the school district, local arts groups, and the Kennedy Center. With the assistance from Kennedy Center staff and other professionals, community leaders develop a long-range plan for arts education that is tailor-made for the school district and community.

"Hancher and so many of our peer organizations here in Iowa's Creative Corridor have been deeply committed to arts education in our schools for many years," says Hancher Executive Director Chuck Swanson. "The Any Given Child program gives this community the opportunity to strengthen those efforts even more. We’re pleased and honored that the Kennedy Center has welcomed Iowa City to the Any Given Child ranks. We look forward to working with the Kennedy Center and the arts organizations in our community."

Many individuals, including Iowa City Mayor Matthew Hayek and Iowa City Community School District Superintendent Stephen Murley, were instrumental in securing a place in the program.

"This is a perfect project for Iowa City," says Mayor Hayek. "We enjoy a high level of arts learning in our school district, but Any Given Child will facilitate even more collaboration between local arts organizations and schools. Iowa City is very supportive of the arts and an initiative like this will resonate with much of the community."

Superintendent Murley agrees.

"I'm extremely pleased that the Iowa City Community School District will be partnering with Hancher and the Kennedy Center for the Any Given Child initiative," Murley says. "Creativity and critical thinking are two essential 21st century skills that our students will develop through this initiative. We also know that participation in these programs will develop lifelong participants in the arts. We are excited for this opportunity to create a more comprehensive and balanced arts education program for all Iowa City students."

Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser thinks Iowa City is an excellent fit for the program.

"Iowa City is a vibrant community of arts organizations, and I commend Mayor Hayek and Superintendent Murley for committing to provide the next generation with a foundation in the arts," Kaiser says. "A consistent arts education improves students’ intellectual, personal, and social development. The Kennedy Center wants to ensure that every child receives a solid, meaningful arts education from kindergarten through eighth grade."

As the national center for the performing arts, the Washington, D.C.-based John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is committed to increasing opportunities for all people to participate in and understand the arts. To fulfill that mission, the Kennedy Center strives to commission, create, design, produce, and/or present performances and programs of the highest standard of excellence and of a diversity that reflects the world in which we live—and to make those performances and programs accessible and inclusive.