This fall marks the 4 year anniversary of Public Space One’s time in the historic Close House, and the 6 year anniversary of our time on the Northside – over 2000 days of a long-term home for art in Iowa City with open doors to the creative needs and desires of our community. Around the time you read this, we will be marking PS1’s 24th anniversary of opening doors and making spaces for art.

Our 2025 impact report shares how the space – both physical and conceptual – that PS1 creates has supported our community this year, from sheer numbers to deep engagement. 

We continue to witness and learn what works and what’s needed, guided by a core ethos that uniquely combines access and care, inviting all who wish to collectively make, take, and sustain creative space on a daily basis.

On the best days, dozens of diverse community members make, move, share, reflect, learn, and plan harmoniously, feeding off the collective energy of sharing an inspiring historic space. 

On hard days, when something breaks, something equally important happens – we practice and learn better how to be together, amidst challenges. 

Now more than ever, we are acutely aware of what it takes to sustain and care for community space – from the basic structure (roofs, floors, doors) to the time and energy of coordinating and supporting thousands of hours of low-barrier access to arts resources and experiences. We are ending 2025 with more engagement, attendance, studio use, and collective energy than ever before. PS1 is a leader in national and regional arts organizing and provides essential support to local artists and creatives.

This work is costly – both financially and energetically – and this work is needed.

We are at a crossroads as we try to match the creative needs of our community with the resources required to meet them. This year we have invested deeply in what’s needed to keep PS1’s spaces in living, breathing service to Iowa City – and beyond – for years to come.

To close our budget gap and make it possible to continue this work in 2026 and beyond, we need to raise $53,000 by the end of this year.

We are humbled by the number of community members who show up regularly with generous and diverse contributions of time, funds, expertise, and energy. (You may already be among them!) 

Will you add to this support? Together, we can make it possible for PS1 to continue the vital work of creating space, supporting artists, and building community in Iowa City.

Thank you!