This year the University launched a new outreach program, Arts Across the Curriculum, which builds upon the success of Hancher’s Stage Door Series and Arts Share program.

"Arts Across the Curriculum was born from our understanding that Iowa’s schoolchildren need arts programs with curriculum tie-ins," says Michelle Coleman, education director at Hancher Auditorium. "We already had seen our Stage Door and Arts Share programs reach these kids. But our goal, as artists, educators, and faculty at the University, is to have as many points of connection with K-12 students as possible."

Thanks to grants to The University of Iowa Foundation from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust and many other generous donors, 12 schools in six Iowa communities are able to participate in the new program.

One of the communities is Columbus Junction, a town of 1,600 people with a large Hispanic population. In this rural town, where the hog processing plant is a major employer, access to the arts is severely limited by space, time, and a median household income in the $25,000 range (less than half the statewide average). So when Arts Across the Curriculum traveled to Columbus Junction with New York-based Ethos Percussion Group last spring, it was a rare opportunity.

"Because we’re a low-income community, there is a real need for the arts here," says Tony Onesto, an art teacher in Columbus Junction. "We have a language barrier, but the wonderful thing is that people speaking any language can succeed equally in arts and music."

Prior to Ethos’ visit, University of Iowa dance professor Armando Duarte visited the town’s two schools to demonstrate the dances of Brazil, focusing on the rhythms of the music and on the cultural significance of Carnaval.

"I am a native Brazilian, so in my work I am capable of bringing aspects of my culture to the choreography and teaching," Duarte says. "I love working with students through Arts Share because it’s such a wonderful way to share culture and the arts with communities around Iowa."

By the time Ethos arrived on April 5, the children were ready to spend the whole day feeling and learning through rhythm and music. Fifth-grader Margo Colhurst says it was the most exciting, memorable day of her school year.

"What seemed really important to me was how Ethos could just make instruments out of all sorts of things," Colhurst says. "There were some that were bamboo and there were drums that had skins with real fur on them. There was an old cowbell that they took the little ringer out of, and they’d hit it with drumsticks."

On the evening of April 6, students who had worked with Duarte and Ethos put on a performance for their families. Evening events often have a low turnout in town, due to communication problems and the schedules of many parents who must work second and third shifts. But this time, the auditorium was packed.

"The way Ethos explained everything and showed us how all the instruments were made and taught us how to use them, that got us all involved," Colhurst says. "And the noise…it was beautiful."