DES MOINES, IOWA (August 16, 2022) — The Iowa Architectural Foundation (IAF) is pleased to announce that it has selected Laura Porter as its new Foundation Director. Porter will replace Claudia Cackler, who has led the foundation for the past six and a half years. Brian Crichton, who headed the search committee, stated, "We are so pleased to have found Laura Porter to take the reins of the Iowa Architectural Foundation. Laura is a proven leader with the vision and organizational skills to take this organization to the next level. She also has a deep passion for the impact that architecture has on our communities and history."
Porter comes to IAF by way of her previous higher education and arts nonprofit work. After completing her PhD in United States history at the University of Notre Dame, she taught at Sciences Po-Reims (Reims, France), the University of Florida, and Drake University. She continues to write and publish on historical topics, but has devoted her recent energies to non-profit fundraising and business management as Director of Operations at Civic Music Association of Des Moines.
Porter's lifelong appreciation of the arts and humanities, breadth of teaching experience, and historical training all drew her to the unique mission of the IAF, which exists to educate Iowans about socially- and artistically-significant architecture and design. She hopes to build on the foundation laid by her predecessor in promoting Iowa's impressive architectural portfolio and expanding programs statewide. She is also eager to build connections with K-12 schools, appreciating the great potential of IAF's programs to support arts, social studies, and STEM curricula.
IAF exists to inspire appreciation of architecture and design through educational programming for adults and children. Its statewide programs encourage citizens to engage in design issues and consider high standards as they build and shape their communities. IAF is a non-profit charitable organization, depending on donations and fees for support. For more information about tours, classes, and special events, visit www.iowaarchfoundation.org.
