State Poet Laureate of Ames Said Art Funding is Tight But Title Helps

Mary Swander, English professor, wanted more than an honorary title when she accepted her appointment as the state's Poet Laureate in 2009.

“I wanted to do something different and I have done a lot of interesting things,” Swander said.

She's implemented several programs since 2009, including a creative writing class offered free each summer to people with disabilities. She's been creative about funding, but when she can't find support, she's often pulled out her checkbook.

“There is no money. You are not paid,” Swander said. “People do ask you to give readings and workshops.”

She plans to pay for this summer's disabled creative writing class from her own pocket unless someone else chips in. It costs about $2,500 each year.

“It's nothing in the grand scheme of things, but it's a lot coming out of my pocket,” Swander said.

Only the best known artists receive National Endowment of Arts grants, she said. Swander herself was once one of them, but it was “incredibly difficult to get,” she said.

Iowa Arts Council funding dried up in the recession, Swander said.

“There is no support for the arts in the U.S. It's really hard to get any money, period, the end,” Swander said.

While the state title hasn't provided cash, the notoriety from the honor has been a catalyst for Swander's ideas.

Swander and Fred Kirschenmann founded AgArts, a national organization interested in exploring agriculture and the arts, before the poet laureate title “dropped from the sky” in 2009.

“I think the seeds of (AgArts) got going before the poet laureate, but the poet laureate gave it a lot of fuel,” Swander said.

The organization funds arts related to agriculture stone soup style. The artists all bring some money to a potluck and the person with the best idea takes home the pot.

An upcoming potluck takes place  in Ames at the . The organization's members are comprised of Iowans from across the state. People come to eat and discuss agricultural related art projects. Members bring a dish to share and some money to throw in a pot and then listen to ideas. They vote for the best proposed project and the winner takes the money.

Jeanie Kirkpatrick, an Iowa State University grad student, received funding for a project to collect rural women's aprons at the most recent potluck.

Swander said Kirkpatrick left the dinner with $400 and used that to obtain matching grant funds and hopes to put her apron project on display at the this fall. Swander hopes to raise $500 at the next dinner and one day have funding available for two projects per dinner. Applications are available here.

“It's really great. There's no panels, no huge waiting period, or processing; you get your money right then and there,” Swander said.

Interested in helping Swander? Contact her at: mswander@iastate.edu.