dates :: April-June 2004

workshop co-coordinators :: Amanda Styron and Denise Dooley

how it encourages creativity :: Through "Imagine Iowa 's Future," The James Gang worked to enhance the creative lives of our state's high school students while at the same time taking the first steps towards a statewide collaborative effort to increase the livability of Iowa for young people.

how it encourages service :: Imagine Iowa 's Future encouraged young people to speak their mind about and take part in the future of Iowa, investing them in our statewide community.

fast facts ::

•  1,000 Iowa high school students participated in the workshops, which were designed by James Gang members to give students a chance to interact and explore cultural, economic, and political opportunities available to them right now in Iowa.

•  Some sample topics from these hands-on workshops include: filmmaking, zine making (zine: an inexpensively produced, self-published, underground publication), independent publishing, community organizing, and developing a local music scene.

•  In the course of this tour, The James Gang has partnered with over twenty organizations and state agencies, including the Office of the Governor, the Iowa Department of Economic Development and its Division on Tourism, Clear Channel Radio, Iowa Public Television and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, as well as youth organizations across the state.

more information :: www.imagineiowasfuture.com