About Us
We exist to protect the places and the people that make Iowa's culture worth preserving.
Born from a love of local music
For decades, Iowa’s independent venues were more than places to watch a band. They were where communities gathered, where artists got their first real gig, and where local culture was created from the ground up.
Then, one by one, the stages went dark. Blues on Grand. The Gas Lamp. House of Bricks. Vaudeville Mews. Hull Ave Tavern. Lefty’s Live Music. Seven beloved Iowa venues lost to corporate consolidation and a system that never prioritized the artists who needed it most.
Share The Spotlight was founded on one belief: Iowa’s artists deserve a stage. We fund the venues that give them one, support the artists who need it, and advocate for the infrastructure that makes independent culture possible.
This is not a failure of passion or talent. It is a failure of infrastructure and support — and it’s one we can fix.
Meet the Team
Share The Spotlight is led by a dedicated board and staff who believe deeply in Iowa's creative community.
Carlee Wilson
Insert Role Here
This is where your bio will be.
Stay in the Loop
Show announcements, artist stories, and updates from the front lines of Iowa's creative scene — straight to your inbox.
"*" indicates required fields