October is Arts & Humanities Month

Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg with “Monument Man” George Stout’s granddaughters, Lauren Parker and Leslie Marks, and a cut-out of Stout himself at the Winterset home where he grew up.

Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg joined the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs in Winterset on Friday, Sept. 30, to unveil a historical plaque marking the boyhood home of George Stout and to declare October as Arts & Humanities Month in Iowa.

Stout was born 125 years ago on Oct. 5. He became a world-class expert in art preservation and restoration who joined the U.S. Army and led the so-called “Monuments Men” in rescuing thousands of precious artworks and antiquities during World War II.

Iowan a part of Monuments Men honored at Winterset birthplace

Here is the full text of Gov. Kim Reynolds proclamation for Arts & Humanities Month in Iowa, which Lt. Gov. Gregg read for the crowd in Winterset:

Whereas, the arts and humanities enhance and enrich the lives of all Iowans and play a unique role in the well-being of our families, our communities, and our state; and

Whereas, the arts and humanities embody much of the accumulated wisdom, intellect, and imagination of humankind, giving an importance for Iowans to share stories of significant value to them and future generations; and

Whereas, Iowans have a deep and long tradition of creativity in the arts and scholarship in the humanities where nearly 40,000 Iowans work in the arts, cultural and creative fields today including the artists and scholars who produce these vital resources to enhance public awareness of the common bonds held by Iowans; and

Whereas, civics and arts education are fundamental to ensuring Iowans continue to thrive in an ever-changing world and are able to exercise the creativity needed to explore innovative advances in our state; and

Whereas, Iowans should seek opportunities for collaboration between creative people as led by the Department of Cultural Affairs in Iowa — the only state with the unique interdisciplinary combination of arts, film, culture, humanities, history and historic preservation — inspires creativity and innovation, research, education and lifelong learning through public programming, museums and cultural anchors across the state; and

Whereas, October 5 marks the 125th birthday of Winterset native George Stout, who founded the country’s first art conservation lab and helped lead the so-called Monuments Men to rescue priceless artworks and antiquities during World War II; and,

Whereas, other Iowans have followed Stout’s legacy by preserving art and culture in the face of more recent challenges, including the floods of 2008 as well as the derecho of 2020, which prompted critical rescue and relocation efforts and restoration work at numerous arts, cultural, and historic sites in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Marion, Marshalltown, Tama, Toledo and other communities.

Whereas, Iowans will be joining other communities and states across our nation and Americans for the Arts in celebrating the role of the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities and recognizing October as National Arts and Humanities Month;

Now therefore, Kim Reynolds, governor of the State of Iowa, does hereby proclaim October 2022 as Arts and Humanities Month in Iowa and calls upon all Iowans to celebrate and promote the arts and humanities, and to engage in greater participation in the arts and humanities in their communities.

— Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs