Dubuque’s First Fridays is a monthly tradition for art lovers and culture enthusiasts. Now, a new online resource, firstfridaysdubuque.org, offers a centralized hub for all things First Fridays, making it easier than ever for locals and visitors to explore the monthly arts events in downtown Dubuque. Initiated through efforts of the Dubuque Forward Arts Passion Team, this new platform unifies information from multiple venues, offering event listings, an interactive maps, and a look back at recent First Friday events.

The First Fridays promotional effort was developed as a branch of the AllTogether Dubuque platform, a previous arts branding and marketing initiative inspired by the City of Dubuque’s Arts & Culture Master Plan and funded through prior grants from the CARES Act and Iowa Tourism.AllTogetherDubuque.com serves as a directory of local artists, creative businesses, and arts organizations.

“First Fridays have always been a grassroots effort,” says Ivonne Simmonds-Fals, a member of the Arts Passion Team. “Our goal withfirstfridaysdubuque.org is to make these events accessible to everyone, including tourists, new residents, and anyone curious about the arts scene. We want to welcome everyone to explore, support local venues, and experience the talent we have here in Dubuque.”

The new website aims to unify promotion for a diverse lineup of participating venues, including Planted, Dubuque Area Arts Collective at the Smokestack, Voices Studios, Stoned Art Studio, Widdershins Artisan Gallery, the Stu, and the Carnegie Stout Public Library. For November, First Fridays will also feature exhibits from the Dubuque Museum of Art and student displays from the University of Dubuque and Clarke University.

Thanks to initial seed funding from Dubuque Main Street, Clarke University, Stone Art Studio, Dubuque Area Arts Collective, Dubuque Museum of Art, and Voices Studios, along with in-kind time investments from Gigantic Design and Burro Branch Studios, the First Fridays platform will be promoted via digital advertising to widen the reach and use of the new online resource.

By centralizing connection to information about these monthly arts events, the new platform provides a valuable tool for both seasoned art lovers and those new to Dubuque’s cultural offerings. To learn more, visit firstfridaysdubuque.org and mark your calendar for a night of art, culture, and community in downtown Dubuque.