Nick Benson serves in a number of roles these days, but his favorite is probably matchmaker. As coordinator of the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC), Benson is making new connections between the University of Iowa and Iowa communities.

Drive through any Iowa community and you are likely to find some form of public art. While they may not always be obvious to the eye, art installations can be found in parks, city halls, libraries, open spaces, sidewalks and more. Public art can include sculptures, murals and paintings as well as performances, concerts or lectures. These various forms of art can have a lasting impact on a...