When we think of storytelling, we often picture something ordinary — a moment shared across a kitchen table or a memory told beside a campfire. But those small moments carry great power. Storytelling helps us build bridges between communities, preserve culture, share traditions, invite understanding, and imagine what’s possible. It draws us closer — to one another and to the place we call home — offering a deeper understanding of what shapes us, both as individuals and as a community.

That’s why the Arts + Culture Alliance is thrilled to welcome Kiran Singh Sirah to Marshalltown as the 2025 Community Artist Grant recipient. Kiran is a world-renowned storyteller, folklorist, and peacebuilder who has worked with the United Nations, the White House, NASA, the Smithsonian, and communities around the globe — always using story as a tool for connection, healing, and change.

His project, Gather ‘Round the Table, is rooted in the belief that everyone has a story to tell, and that when we listen deeply to one another, we begin to see what we share — even across differences in language, background, or perspective. Over the coming months, Kiran will engage with residents through conversations, community gatherings, and hands-on creative workshops.

The project will culminate this fall in a celebratory community gathering that we hope will reflect the heart and soul of Marshalltown.

The theme of this year’s Community Artist Grant is Build Bridges, one of the key placemaking themes outlined in the Marshalltown Arts & Culture Master Plan. And while Marshalltown is in the process of re-building several bridges, this theme is about much more than infrastructure. It’s about fostering meaningful connections — between residents, generations, cultures, and ideas.

It’s through stories that we get to know our neighbors, discover shared experiences, and celebrate what makes each of us unique. The Master Plan highlights that strong communities grow from strong relationships — and that by listening to one another, we build trust, belonging, and a deeper connection to this community we call home.

The Master Plan also emphasizes that creativity is more than just making things beautiful. When arts and culture become part of everyday life, they help build communities that are vibrant, welcoming, and resilient. This is the future we’re working to create together.

At the Arts + Culture Alliance, we believe storytelling is a fundamental part of this work. Stories remind us who we are. They help us imagine what’s possible. They can help us write a future that honors every person who calls our community place home.

We invite you to take part in Gather ‘Round the Table — to share your story, listen to others, and help build a more connected, creative Marshalltown. Because the future we imagine is one we’ll shape together — story by story, bridge by bridge.

To learn more about the project and upcoming events, visit artsandculturealliance.org/news.

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Amber Danielson is the executive director

of the Arts + Culture Alliance.