The James

Leslie and Mark Nolte are working to bring this new performing arts venue for small audiences to life for the Iowa City Area as our part of helping to make this truly The Greatest Small City for the Arts.   Our hope is to operate it as a Benefit Corp or LLLC if the Iowa Legislature approved.  Basically a business that won’t make any money, but also not a non-profit that will compete with other local art and charitable organizations. 

Right now its hard for many emerging artists to find a venue they can affordably perform in.  There is a niche that this space can fill.  We envision this space being a classroom and workshop by day for the performing arts high school concept we are also working on.  Then by night hosting musicians, dancers, writers, plays, comedians, magicians and anything else that needs an affordable stage to build an audience.  

Our plan is to collaborate with the other arts entities such as the Englert to help curate amazing audience experiences and fill a niche in the local performing arts scene.   Our vision is that new organizations and artists groups are able to incubate on this stage and grow into something bigger and better.  But they need a place to start.  That is what this space can be. 

The Noltes are making this investment and taking the financial risk.  Again, we are not going to operate this as a non-profit and will not compete with other arts organizations for annual operating expenses, but we would gratefully accept any help offsetting some of the startup costs and renovations to the space.   

Our new design includes making the stage larger and more flexible for a variety of uses, making the space more accessible for people with disabilities, upgrading the dressing rooms and front of house, with all new sound, lights and seating options.   

We are asking our friends and local businesses for some help with these upfront costs.  (Please note, as we are not a non profit your contribution is not tax deductible, but can be a marketing expense for your business.) 

What We Need & What You Get

There may be some larger sponsorship opportunities available for naming rights around the theatre, but for now we are starting with seat sponsors.   

• For $1000 your gift will be rewarded with permanent recognition of your generosity for all future audiences to see.
• Our sponsors will be invited to our special pre-opening performances provided by local and national artists as our way of saying thank you. 

Other Ways You Can Help

We hope you will consider supporting if you can,  if you could share on your social media and with your networks and If you have other ideas on how you can help us bring this space to life, we are all ears.  This community is so special to us and we want to make The James part of our gift back to keeping it connected, growing and cool.   

Thank you, 

With Love, Leslie and Mark