Amph it up!
In June 2020, just a few months into the COVID-19 global pandemic, George Daily Auditorium staff and board members trekked out to an overgrown amphitheater structure on the former campus of Vennard College.
There was plenty of community interest in the site, and everyone involved agreed that it was important to engage with people through the arts even though most indoor venues were shuttered. However, at the time, there simply were no funds available to see a project of this scope through to completion.
Then, in November 2020, the George Daily Community Auditorium was one of 60 arts and culture organizations across a 9-state region selected for a substantial COVID-19 recovery grant from Arts Midwest. Proposals were evaluated on:
- Exceptional artistic, cultural, and community impact
- Visionary leadership (staff and volunteer)
- Demonstrated community engagement, connection, and support
- Commitment to equity and inclusion
- Track record of stability in fiscal management and ongoing operations
- Local state, regional, and/or national impact
The United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund was intended to help arts venues address pressing needs and opportunities, from response activities to investments that would build sustainability.
Thanks to the Resilience Fund, the Vennard Amphitheater Project was born!
The structure’s foundation was sound, and so this grant money allowed for repairs and renovations to the existing structure. Ramps were added to make the space more accessible, and thanks to an ever-growing list of community partners, the Amphitheater now has power, internet access, and security cameras.
Thanks to the Golden Goose Club, the next phase of the Woodhaven Amphitheatre has started planning and organization. The focus will be on bathrooms and the first steps of establishing stage lighting in the space.
More information coming soon!
Phase 1: Physical Structure
Arts Midwest and the United States Regional Arts Organizations
MidAmerican Energy (in-kind)
Mahaska Communication Group (in-kind)
Musco Sports Lighting (in-kind)
Phase 2: Vennard Amphitheater Seating – Taylor Drost Eagle Scout Project
Kelly Asperheim
Laura Ayala
Sandy Bailey
Wendy Bares
Cheryl Benson
Brouwer Family Foundation
Rick & Connie Bryan
Rachel Buchanan
Jeremy Bunnell
Megan Ches
Shawn Christ
Linda & Craig Coen
Jeanie Bieri & Joe Crookham
DeLong Construction
Bob & Cathy Drost
Tim Drost
Ben Drost
Bert Drost
Nick & Jennie Drost
Matt & Treana Drost
Carl & Martha Drost
Darren & Karin Dykstra
Jim & Linda Else
Julie Fisher
Russ & Michelle Franzen
Jeff Greenhalgh
Margie Greenhalgh
Kurt & Jennifer Keough
David & Jane Krutzfeldt
Cory & Melissa Lamb
Jessica Van Leuven
Chris Limpach
Stan & Cheryl Lingren
Eugene & Judy Little
Kate Livingston
Ryan & Kim Marsh
Marge McCain
Andy & Allison McGuire
Jeff & Lisa McNulty
Valinn McReynolds
Stewart & Carol Melvin
Jeff Michael
MidWestOne Bank
Jeff Morris
Brent & Heather Nelson
Oskaloosa News
Oskaloosa Vision Center
Roger & Sharma Parlett
Virginia Pierson
Greg & Jessica Reuter
Chris Roach
Todd Roach
MK Golf Shops
Matt Sherlock
Loren & Erica Smith
Scott & Heidi Stefanc
Randall & Vicki Wright
Taylor Zimmerman