The Gilchrist Foundation believes access to music and arts education is essential for Siouxland youth. That is why supporting area music programs remains a meaningful part of its mission. In 2025, the Foundation supported several area initiatives that aim to make music more accessible to kids throughout the area.
Read MoreFor nearly 120 years the Akron Opera House has stood as a landmark of cultural life in the small, northwest Iowa town. Now, with support from the Gilchrist Foundation, the community is taking steps to help preserve this historic theater and prepare it for the next century of performances, gatherings and shared experiences. In 2025 and 2024, the Foundation provided a challenge match of $58,636.47 and $41,363.53 totaling $100,000, for continued restoration and renovation of its historic 1905 facility.
Read MoreThe Gilchrist Foundation awarded Briar Cliff University a $10,000 grant to help fund the initial development of a new documentary project, A Most Unlikely Place: A Century of Faith, Service, and Learning, which will chronicle the University’s 100-year history. Supporting the university’s documentary reflects the Gilchrist Foundation’s mission to strengthen the long-term viability of local organizations by funding special projects rather than short-term operating needs.
Read MoreArtSplash celebrates its 31st year Sept. 13-14, 2025. Hosted by the Sioux City Art Center, this community favorite is shifting from its traditional Labor Day weekend slot to a new fall date. The change offers visitors a fresh way to enjoy art, live music, food and family-friendly fun while supporting one of Sioux City’s most important cultural institutions.
Read MoreSioux City’s West 7th Street area is getting a colorful update, thanks in part to the Gilchrist Foundation. The Foundation partnered with 712 Market Street owners Nathan and Rachel Phillips, the City of Sioux City and artist Jill Wells to create a new mural. Located on the north side of 712 Market Street, the mural is highly visible from Wesley Parkway.
Read MoreFor more than 30 years, the Saturday around the Fourth of July has been dedicated to the area’s premier music festival, Saturday in the Park. Held annually in Sioux City’s Grandview Park, the event attracts about 25,000 music fans, many lured by the big names organizers line up for the main and Abe stages. Thanks to support from the Gilchrist Foundation, fans get to see major musical acts for free.
Read MoreJocelyn Gilchrist recognized the value of musical performances and music education. As a young woman, she frequented the Chicago Symphony and enjoyed the theater. She developed a deep fondness for the arts, both live and on the radio. This passion led her to support music through the Gilchrist Foundation, and it remains a pillar of the Foundation’s philanthropic mission today. In 2024, The Gilchrist Foundation awarded several grants and awards to support music-related initiatives.
Read MoreMusic can make us feel happy, sad, excited and even frightened – in the best ways. And for more than 100 years, the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra (SCSO) has brought music to life with its exceptional performances. Seeing music performed live by the SCSO is an enriching experience everyone should enjoy. And the Gilchrist Foundation is proud to support the SCSO’s vision to present performances that are innovative and culturally inclusive to the community.
Read MoreEvery Saturday around the Fourth of July tens of thousands of people gather in Grandview Park in Sioux City for the FREE annual Saturday in the Park (SITP) music festival. The event, which has been a summer staple since 1991, is funded by generous donors and sponsors, including the Gilchrist Foundation. In 2023, the Foundation awarded SITP a $150,000 project grant for the 2024 festival. It has supported SITP since the beginning.
Read MoreThe need for behavioral treatment in Siouxland is growing. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, national drug-involved overdose deaths has risen drastically over the last two decades from less than 20,000 deaths in 1999 to more than 100,000 deaths in 2021. Alcohol use continues to be a concern in Iowa as well. Binge drinking was higher in Iowa compared to the US national average, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. That’s why the Rosecrance Foundation’s Brighter Futures campaign to expand the Sioux City campus is so important and why the Gilchrist Foundation supported it in 2023.
Read MoreSharing experiences not only helps us learn from each other but also lets us realize we have more in common than we initially thought. And for the past year, Nebraska audiences have been able to experience what being a staff sergeant in World War II was like, thanks in part to the Gilchrist Foundation.
Read MoreSaturday in the Park is a summer highlight for those living in and around Sioux City. The outdoor concert event showcases some of the biggest and brightest stars who perform live for around 25,000 people. Past event headliners have included Aretha Franklin, Santana, Avett Brothers, John Fogerty, Kacey Musgraves, Flo-Rida, Melissa Etheridge and many more. The best part is admission to the event is free, thanks to generous donations from organizations, including The Gilchrist Foundation.
Read MoreArts education is an integral part of students’ lives. Arts education, including music, theater, dance and media and visual arts, teaches student innumerable lessons. According to Americans for the Arts, arts education teaches practice makes perfect, small differences can have large effects and collaboration leads to creativity. Arts education also teaches that there several paths to take when approaching problems and all problems can have more than one solution. The arts, including music, museums and theater were all passions of Jocelyn Gilchrist, which is why today the Gilchrist Foundation awards grants every year that foster arts education in students of all ages
Read MoreI scream, you scream, we all scream … for Ice Cream Days happening June 16 - 18, 2022 in Le Mars, Iowa. Ice Cream Days is a family-friendly, annual event that features vendors, activities and lots of ice cream. The Gilchrist Foundation is proud to be a continued supporter of this much-loved event. In 2021, the Gilchrist Foundation awarded a $2,900 micro grant to support musical entertainment and performing acts and has supported it again in 2022 by giving an award for the festival and its family activities.
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