A new Elkader-based nonprofit launching this summer aims to bring people together through art and music.

Called Turkey River Arts and Music (TRAM), the organization was founded by Northeast Iowa residents, with Brian Gibbs from Elkader serving as executive director.

Gibbs said the nonprofit formed out of the Turkey River Cabin Concerts group, which for several years has brought together national and local music for shows along the Turkey River.

“But the history actually goes back to the Music and Monarchs Festival. We’ve been putting on music and community events since that, which would have been 2015, 2016,” he shared. “That was the first time these volunteers got together, and that transitioned into the Turkey River Cabin Concerts.”

The TRAM nonprofit was formed to add more organization, structure and capacity, according to Gibbs.

“I saw this as a way to bring more community involvement and people with experience together. I want to expand offerings,” he said.

TRAM will focus on making arts experiences accessible to all ages and backgrounds along the Turkey River Valley. To support this mission, the nonprofit is renting space in downtown Elkader—at 133 S. Main St., in the former Old Crow Mercantile building. New owner Stephanie Arensdorf will also use the building as a community gathering space, said Gibbs.

The space will host community events like free concerts, open mic nights and seasonal art showcases, as well as educational workshops and hands-on classes for instruments, songwriting, visual arts and audio production for adults and youth.

“It could also be things like natural dyes workshops, basket making, fly tying, honey bees—so more like nature in Northeast Iowa,” Gibbs explained. “My vision is I want to bring the education component.”

Additionally, TRAM will focus on youth and family outreach, partnering with local schools and the library to expand access for kids. Support for local artists will come through performance opportunities and resources for musicians and artists in Clayton County.

“I want local and regional musicians to help teach music lessons for kids and the public. Give adults and kids the opportunity to have space to come and play music and practice music, too,” Gibbs said. “I would also love to work with the schools on the Turkey River and have their art displayed in the building.”

“So using it as like a community center for all of these,” he added.

TRAM will continue events and partnerships throughout the community as well. The organization is co-hosting a free show in collaboration with Iowa Project AWARE on Thursday, July 16, at the Elkader Opera House. Iowa music icon Dave Moore will play his folk and country music, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the music starting at 7:30 p.m.

Some events are also still planned at the cabin, including the Summer Cabin Campout July 17 and 18 and a songwriter’s workshop on Sept. 13.

“We’re doing a fall fundraiser at the Volga City Opera House Oct. 10. We’re also curating the music for Art in the Park, and we’re doing a kickoff event Oct. 2, at the Coulee Creek Barn, called Art in the Dark,” Gibbs said. “So we’ll still be working with partner venues in the region to bring art and music, while also having our own space year-round on the river in Elkader.”

Gibbs feels the TRAM space will provide better accessibility and visibility. Its riverside location is also unique.

“You can come and sit down, have a warm, welcoming place, and have conversations with your neighbors. You can meet people from out of town. This is curating talent from across the country,” he shared.

Through his prior work with the music and arts scene, Gibbs has seen firsthand how local, regional and national artists are continually impressed with the area’s beauty and hospitality, its charm and slower pace of life. Relationships have “spread like an underground root system.”

“All these different venues we worked at have offered wonderful experiences to the artists and to the community. Those musicians, in turn, want to come back, but they also tell their friends and their family about it,” he reflected.

Those seeking that small-town feel will support the local economy—what Gibbs called “plussing our pluses.”

“In the past, the organization has had over 100 artists, 75 shows. We’ve had 3,500 attendees at our shows from 34 states. So you see it as an economic driver,” he said. “You’re having these experiences and drawing people downtown that frequent the different boutiques and storefronts, lodging, restaurants.”

For those who would like to learn more about upcoming events and ways to support the nonprofit, including volunteer opportunities, visit www.turkeyrivermusicartsandmusic.org.

Gibbs said any support is appreciated.

“We’re grateful to be able to expand the music and all the community building efforts. I feel like the best is yet to come,” he said.