Jessica Johnson

CEDAR RAPIDS – Jessica Johnson of Cedar Rapids will be introduced as the new executive director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance’sduring the organization’s annual Celebration of the Arts event Nov. 15, at CSPS in Cedar Rapids. The 5 to 7 p.m. arts event will feature recognition and awards presentation and a keynote presentation by Jay Dick from Americans for the Arts. The public is welcome to attend, meet Johnson and hear about ICCA initiatives for the coming year. Tickets are $9, available online at Legionarts.org or by calling (319) 364-1580.

Johnson she will lead the 150-member coalition of arts and culture groups to enhance collaboration, networking funding, and the quality of life the Corridor’s rich cultural environment provides to all of its visitors and residents. She replaces Abby Ballain who moved out of state in September.

“We are very pleased that Jessica has accepted our offer to be the new executive director of ICCA,” Marcia Hughes, ICCA Board president, said. “Her professional background and passion for the arts will be a strong asset to each of our partners and to the alliance as a whole.”

Johnson comes to ICCA with a broad range of experience including economic development, communications and marketing. Most recently, Johnson was director of business development and community relations at Frew Nations Group. She also previously served as director of marketing and research at the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. She is an active member of the community serving on numerous local and state boards and commissions.

Johnson is a 2008 graduate of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber’s Leadership for Five Seasons program and was named one the region’s “Forty Under 40” by the Corridor Business Journal. A Cedar Rapids native, Johnson earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids.

“Art and culture is an essential asset to building and sustaining a vibrant, thriving community,” Johnson said. “I am excited to work with ICCA’s many partners and to lead an organization that is a driving force of these efforts in the Corridor.”