As we close in on the completion of another 3-day Major Grant Review Retreat, I am humbled once again by the dedication and commitment displayed by those who respond to our request to serve as panel reviewers in this process. A dozen Iowans who count themselves as peers with those who have applied for our Major Grants came here to Des Moines on Monday to spend the afternoon learning about our process and then digging in to reading and scoring grant applications. They worked until 6:30 p.m. on Monday, and then for as many as 10 additional hours again on Tuesday, each reading at least 30 applications. Today -- Wednesday -- they are discussing each application individually in sub-panels.
Each reviewer was acutely aware that every file folder they picked up contained the hopes and dreams of passionate artists and arts professionals across Iowa, and that they paid attention accordingly. The process isn't done yet - they are completing their discussions as this is written, and then staff will crunch the numbers and Director Pederson will make her final granting decisions -- but it's an appropriate time to express gratitude to these reviewers on behalf of the IAC staff, the IAC board, and (if it's not too presumptuous) the citizens of Iowa.
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