The George Daily Community Auditorium is located on Ioway land in Oskaloosa, Iowa, population 11,500. Built in 1997, the Auditorium sits between the Oskaloosa School District’s middle school and high school. Beyond its 696-seat mainstage auditorium space, the facility contains a black box space and community meeting room each the same size as the stage. The founding partnership between the school district and the Auditorium is evident immediately upon entry. The school’s Central Offices are located right inside the front door. If you move into the lobby, you’ll see a large glass wall commemorating the individuals and businesses that financially supported the Auditorium’s construction.
The Friends of the Auditorium employs four full-time staff members – an Executive Director, an Education Director, an Operations Manager – and a Development Director. In a year, the Auditorium building has up to 800 uses.
The 24-year-old agreement between the district and the Friends of the Auditorium provides the district with office space at the heart of campus and a gathering place large enough for any school or community events. In return, the school covers the Auditorium’s maintenance costs, ensuring that Friends’ money can go as far as possible.