Varsity Cinema seeks community support after Trump administration eliminates NEA grants
Annually, the Varsity Cinema received $20,000 from NEA grants, and used the money to create programming for the local community to enjoy.
'For us that [money] represents two percent of our yearly budget, and those are funds that really go towards our community partnership programming, our special events where we might do things like have a filmmaker in person and events with local filmmakers, etc. It's that kind of support that allows us to do those kinds of things,' said Ben Godar, Executive Director of The Varsity Cinema and Des Moines Film.
Experience the 'dark side of the bloom' when corpse flower named Stink Floyd blooms at Reiman Gardens
Now, without the money, the cinema is looking for the community's help in making up the lost funds. The cinema created an online fundraiser where community members can donate to help the future of community events for the space.
'In reaching out to our audience, we're reaching out to, in many cases folks who could already be members, they could already be donors or maybe they're just someone who likes to come and see films here. And we're just saying hey, if you like what we're doing, if you like the community partnership events, special events, these kind of things that are supported by this contributed revenue, please consider making a contribution here to help us make up that deficit and continuing the programming as expected,' said Godar.
The Varsity Cinema has a long history in the Drake neighborhood. It originally opened in 1938, and recently underwent a massive $5 million renovation and reopened its doors in 2022.
Recently, Des Moines Film, who owns and operated the cinema, purchased the building beside it for future expansions. Now, with cuts to their yearly budget, Godar says all arts groups will feel the effect.
'I think it's going to hurt no matter who it is. This isn't a situation where the federal government said they were changing the parameters for this down the road. These are existing grants that have been awarded that are being terminated. So, that really puts organizations like us behind the 8-Ball,' said Godar.
Metro News:
Varsity Cinema seeks community support after Trump administration eliminates NEA grants
Johnston man jailed for driving drunk with 3 kids in van, police say
Local letter carriers protest Trump's privatization plan for postal service
Ramp closures on I-35/80 at Hickman, Douglas begin Monday
Clive Public Library closing till June, Harbach picking up hours
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
These are the Celebrities People Say They Absolutely Do Not Want to Be Stuck Next to on a Plane
Not everyone's a dream seatmate—just ask the internet. We've all dreamed about bumping into a celebrity while flying—maybe sharing a row with Ryan Gosling or trading snacks with Beyoncé. But what about the other end of the spectrum? A recent thread asked: 'Which celebrity would be the worst person to sit next to on a long flight?' And oh boy, people did not hold back. Here are some of the most unfiltered (and hilarious) responses. 1. Tom Hanks? We weren't expecting America's Dad to make the list, but one person warned, 'Never travel with him.' To be fair… they might have a point. Between Cast Away (plane crash and island survival), The Terminal (trapped in an airport), Sully (emergency water landing), and Captain Phillips (hijacked at sea), it's safe to say Tom Hanks has a rough track record when it comes to travel. Honestly, if he boards your plane, you might want to get off. 2. Donald Trump Several people immediately mentioned Trump, with one clarifying, 'I don't know any of them personally, but I'd feel uncomfortable sitting with Trump.' Fair enough. 3. Literally Any Kardashian Apparently, there's no room for glam squads and contour palettes in coach. 'Anyone ever named Kardashian,' one commenter wrote. Harsh, but ok. 4. Will Ferrell Comedic legend or in-flight nightmare? One commenter said simply, 'He'd get on my nerves!' We love Elf as much as the next person, but I guess six hours of Buddy the Elf energy at 35,000 feet might just push someone over the edge. Maybe save the holiday cheer for after landing. 5. Pedro Pascal This one feels like a personal attack. But hey, I guess not everyone wants to sit next to The Mandalorian for six hours? (They can switch seats with me!) 6. The Cast of "Anyone on The View," one person said bluntly, and many others agreed. We'll just leave that there. 7. Tom Cruise His name popped up more than once. Maybe it's the intensity? The stunts? The Scientology? Whatever the reason, several people said they'd rather not be trapped in a middle seat next to Mr. Mission: Impossible. That said, if the plane suddenly needed an emergency landing and someone to sprint across the wing midair… he might actually be the best person to have nearby. 8. Kid Rock One commenter guessed that Kid Rock might not exactly bring 'fresh linen energy' to the cabin. To be fair, not everyone's ready for full rockstar vibes on a 6 a.m. flight. 9. The Rock Not because of logistics. 'He's so big he wouldn't fit in an economy seat,' was one of the most popular answers. Respectfully, that's... kind of valid. 10. The Charmin Bears Yes, the cartoon toilet paper mascots. 'Can't stand them,' one commenter confessed. But hey, at least they would have good toilet paper? Not all celebrity encounters are nightmare fuel; some stars are beloved both on-screen and in the aisle seat. If you're curious who made the opposite list, check out these 12 celebrities everyone seems to adore. Or, for more brutally honest internet opinions, see which actors make people want to walk out of the theater entirely. Spoiler: no one is safe. Solve the daily Crossword
CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
Zines not hashtags: Gen-Z's new protest playbook
Zines not hashtags: Gen-Z's new protest playbook Gen-Z activists are rethinking protest tools. Opting to go offline over concerns of misinformation and surveillance, zines offer another way to organize. For the latest "The Assignment" podcast episode, CNN's Audie Cornish speaks with artist and organizer Kennedy McDaniel about what's prompting the shift from hashtag activism. 01:51 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 10 videos Zines not hashtags: Gen-Z's new protest playbook Gen-Z activists are rethinking protest tools. Opting to go offline over concerns of misinformation and surveillance, zines offer another way to organize. For the latest "The Assignment" podcast episode, CNN's Audie Cornish speaks with artist and organizer Kennedy McDaniel about what's prompting the shift from hashtag activism. 01:51 - Source: CNN Nationwide demonstrations across Israel demanding hostage deal A planned nationwide strike in Israel on Sunday saw hundreds of thousands take part to call on the government to bring the remaining hostages in Gaza home. CNN's Oren Liebermann reports from Tel Aviv. 01:23 - Source: CNN Canadian government orders end to Air Canada strike After more than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants went on strike seeking wage increases and paid compensation for work when planes are on the ground, the Canada Industrial Relations Board has ordered them to return to work according to an announcement by Canadian Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu. 01:05 - Source: CNN Spike Lee's Reaction to Trump's Smithsonian Orders 'To roll back the clock' says Director Spike Lee to CNN's Victor Blackwell in response to President Donald Trump's Smithsonian orders. 01:14 - Source: CNN Russian media reacts positively to Trump-Putin Summit Russian state TV gave a positive coverage of the outcome of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, celebrating the handshake between the two leaders. Russian officials also stated that the meeting resulted in progress on sanctions and opened up room for future negotiations. CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports. 01:23 - Source: CNN London's toxic trash 'volcano' Arnolds Field landfill on Launders Lane in east London is better known to locals as the 'Rainham volcano.' The site was used as an illegal dump for years and now, every summer, it bursts into flames, sending plumes of acrid smoke over nearby homes, parks and schools. CNN's Laura Paddison speaks to residents who feel abandoned and trapped. 02:05 - Source: CNN Hong Kong twin pandas turn one Giant panda twins Jia Jia and De De celebrated their first birthdays in Hong Kong on Friday. The cubs were born last August to Ying Ying, who became the oldest giant panda on record to give birth. 00:43 - Source: CNN Football player's emotional press conference sparks conversation University of Nebraska freshman punter, Archie Wilson, left his home in Australia to play for the Cornhuskers. During a press conference, a reporter asked Wilson how he was doing being so far away from his family and his emotional reaction sparked a conversation around masculinity. Writer and philosopher Ryan Holiday joined CNN's Boris Sanchez to discuss. 01:29 - Source: CNN McDonald's Japan causes Pokémon food waste frenzy Piles of untouched Happy Meals littered sidewalks outside McDonald's restaurants in Japan over the weekend, as frenzied customers scrambled to buy limited-edition sets with Pokémon cards. CNN International Correspondent Hanako Montgomery has the story. 00:55 - Source: CNN Taylor Swift unveils album details on boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast Taylor Swift announced her 12th studio album 'The Life of a Showgirl' will be released on October 3rd. Swift made an appearance on the podcast 'New Heights,' hosted by her boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce where they discussed the album 00:48 - Source: CNN
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
The family who made Kennedy Center medals at their kitchen countertop have been dropped by Trump as he eyes new Tiffany design
A Washington-area family that has handmade the Kennedy Center honorees' signature rainbow-and-gold medallions for nearly five decades has reportedly been cut loose, the latest change in President Donald Trump's ongoing reshaping of the nation's flagship public arts institution. James and Mila Baturin have been making the medals, which were designed by New York artist Ivan Chermayeff, since the first Kennedy Center Honors ceremony was held in 1978. Since then, the center's distinctive awards pieces, featuring three gold-plated medallions on a rainbow ribbon necklace, have largely been assembled by hand on the family's kitchen countertop in Bethesda, Maryland. However, they learned earlier this month that the Kennedy Center would no longer be working with them, as the arts center reportedly has contacted jeweler Tiffany & Co. about designing a new medal. 'As the Kennedy Center looks toward the future and embarks on a new chapter, we will be transitioning to a new partnership for the creation of the Honors medallions,' reads a letter, dated Aug. 6, seen by The Washington Post. 'We suspected something would happen as soon as the president decided he was going to take over the Kennedy Center,' Baturin told the paper. The Independent has contacted the Kennedy Center and Tiffany for comment. President Trump announced the latest crop of Kennedy Center honorees earlier this week, naming '70s rock band KISS, country legend George Strait, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, actor Sylvester Stallone, and British actor Michael Crawford. They will be celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors award ceremony in December, hosted by none other than Donald Trump. In February, Trump bucked decades of bipartisanship at the public-private arts institution and pushed out presidentially appointed trustees from the Biden era. The new board then took the unusual step of voting Trump as its chair. Since the takeover, Trump has vowed to eliminate 'woke' content from the Kennedy Center, and has been met with some boos and boycotts from audience members and performers. The president's Republican allies, meanwhile, have proposed a bill that would rename the Kennedy Center the Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts. Announcing the honorees this week, the president said he was personally involved in the selection and vetoed "a couple of wokesters" proposed by the Kennedy Center board. Staff were reportedly caught off guard by the decision, and Kennedy Center Honors executive produce Matthew Winer announced his resignation this week. The Kennedy Center isn't the only major Washington public institution getting a Trump makeover. The White House is reportedly planning a sweeping review of the Smithsonian Institution, home to many of the nation's premier historical and cultural museums, to ensure everything from exhibits to operations are in line with the president's interpretation of history ahead of upcoming celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S.
