Gary Kelley Artist in Residence Endowment Fund at the Hearst Center for the Arts
The Gary Kelley Artist in Residence Endowment Fund supports a unique program at the Hearst Center for the Arts that honors the legacy of Cedar Falls illustrator Gary Kelley while creating new opportunities for artists in northeast Iowa.
The Hearst Center for the Arts, operated by the City of Cedar Falls, opens doors to the humanities and creative arts through accessible arts education, exhibitions, and community programs. For nearly four decades, the Hearst has served as a regional cultural cornerstone, engaging more than 25,000 residents annually from Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and surrounding communities. The Friends of the Hearst, the Center’s nonprofit support organization, advances this mission through fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement.
The Gary Kelley Artist in Residence program transforms Kelley’s donated studio furnishings into a working creative environment for area artists. Through a competitive selection process, artists receive a stipend and dedicated studio space, including access to Kelley’s original work table and easel, to pursue independent creative projects while collaborating with the Hearst on community-based initiatives.
The program addresses a need within the regional creative community by providing dedicated, supported studio time that is often difficult for artists to access outside of academic settings. Distributions from the endowment fund provide ongoing support for artist stipends and program expenses, ensuring the residency program remains a sustainable resource for artists and a lasting investment in the cultural life of the Cedar Valley. To learn more about the Hearst and its programs, visit www.thehearst.org.
