Arts
George Daily Auditorium
Since opening its doors in August 1997, the George Daily Auditorium has become a center for the performing arts in Oskaloosa.
The auditorium was built as the result of a partnership between the community, the school district and the Daily Trust. The auditorium was the first project of the Daily Trust, and planning began in 1994. In 2006-2007, the George Daily Auditorium had more than 760 different uses ranging from high school play rehearsals to professional shows. The same professional shows that play in major cities or in the Des Moines Civic Center also play at the George Daily Auditorium in Oskaloosa.
The George Daily Auditorium has much to offer the public. Auditorium officials have teamed up with William Penn University faculty to improve fine arts education at the college. Students get practical experience putting on shows and running an auditorium thanks to the partnership between the two organizations.
The George Daily Auditorium also features one of the only large-group recording studios in the state of Iowa. The auditorium has the space and multi-track recording technology to record symphonies and large vocal music groups. Local musicians and professional groups such as Dallas Brass record at George Daily Auditorium Productions.
The George Daily Auditorium benefits from the Friends of the Auditorium, a group of businesses and individuals who donate to handle financial needs. The Friends of the Auditorium, along with corporate sponsors guarantee that the performing arts will continue to be accessible to everyone in the Oskaloosa community.
The George Daily Auditorium is listed in our business directory.
FACE: Fine Arts and Cultural Events of Oskaloosa
The Fine Arts and Cultural Events of Oskaloosa (FACE) organization is a collaborative body representing a variety of community interests to enhance and develop the Arts and Cultural Entertainment District of Oskaloosa. F.A.C.E. is designed to develop the infrastructure and support to create a community environment that is conducive to both cultural and economic development. FACE will use various cultural arts projects based on programs and performances to serve as a catalyst for the community development and for the creation of jobs, tourism and economic opportunity. It will also provide educational opportunities in the arts because of collaborative efforts of the community as a whole. For more information contact Vicki Wright, 641.673.7629 ext. 18, or email (click to reveal)@oacdg.org.
Oskaloosa Community Theater
OCT Theater Production
For over 30 years, the Oskaloosa Community Theater has brought comedy and tragedy to local residents. A group of citizens interested in the arts formed OCT in 1975. The community theater gives amateur thespians the stage to realize their acting or directing dreams. For those who prefer to work behind the curtain on lights, props, costumes or sets, OCT offers them a welcome home.
For the past several years, OCT has performed at 406 High Ave. E. in Oskaloosa; their venue is handicap accessible. The cast and crews of OCT have performed plays such as "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Our Town."
The 12 members of the OCT board review scripts and vote on the shows the theater will perform. Also, they open auditions for anyone interested in acting. In fact, anyone who has the ability can direct a play, board members say.
For more information about OCT, visit the OCT website.
Oskaloosa Municipal Band
The Oskaloosa Municipal Band performs on Thursday nights during the summer months at the bandstand in the city square. The band has been performing since 1864.
Oskaloosa Public Library
Oskaloosa Public Library
The Oskaloosa Public Library opened its doors in 1903. The Oskaloosa Women's Club spearheaded the drive to create a public library for the community. THe Carnegie Foundation donated $20,000 for the library's construction, and the library's first book collection came from the YMCA library.
The Oskaloosa Public Library has evolved from being just a library with a large collection of books to a high-technology information center that serves both young and old.
Besides and extensive collection of print materials, the Oskaloosa Public Library offers wireless Internet service and two computer labs. Is also offers the innovative OPL@Home program that give patrons with library cards online access to the library's services from their own homes. The library also has an Iowa Communications Network room with fiber optic links to other ICN member institutions. The library also carries items such as books on CD as well as films on DVD.
The Oskaloosa Public Library also has reading programs to involve readers of all ages in the love of reading. The library's summer reading program is a hit with young readers in the area. The library began the Mahaska County Reads program in September 2004. Mahaska County Reads is a program where the whole community reads the same book.
The Oskaloosa Public Library has a staff of eight full-time and six part-time employees. The library has about 25,000-square-feet of space on there floors that includes meeting rooms, microfilm viewing areas, computer labs, a children's library and, of course, cases and cases of books.
The 1996, an addition to the library doubled its space. Many new patrons do not realize there was an addition because both the interior and exterior colors, woodwork and brick match the original building's early 20th century look.
The library features a centennial time capsule that was emplaced in September 2003 and will not be opened until September 14, 2103. During its history, the Oskaloosa Public Library has had a circulation of 15,219,347 items through August 30, 2007.
Oskaloosa Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
The Oskaloosa Symphony Orchestra has brought big-city culture to Oskaloosa since its inception in 1998. Under the direction of Tony Chang, the orchestra performs at George Daily Auditorium. A non-profit Orchestra Association was established in 2001 to nurture the development of the symphony.
Chang received a bachelors degree in violin performance from Indiana University, a masters of music from Miami University and is a doctoral degree candidate in violin performance at the University of Oklahoma. Chang has played in professional orchestras in the United States and Japan. He has been the conductor and music director of the Ottumwa Symphony ORchestra since 1988. He also was invited to conduct the Pleven Philharmonic in Bulgaria in May 2003 and was invited to return as a guest conductor in May 2006.
Chang conducts an eclectic group of musicians from the community as well as musicians from the Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Ottumwa, Central Iowa, Quad Cities and Waterloo symphonies and students and faculty members from the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, Truman State and Drake universities.
The Oskaloosa Symphony Orchestra is listed in our business directory.