Opening January 20, 2026.
James Dixon, ca. 1950s. James Dixon Papers, University of Iowa Libraries.
An Iowa native and a Hawkeye, conductor James Dixon (1928–2007) was instrumental in building orchestras at the University of Iowa, in the Midwest, and abroad. Through a look at Dixon’s adventurous international career, this exhibition provides a “behind the podium” look at how orchestras of all sizes connect with their communities and become crucial to sustaining them.
Co-curated by Sarah Suhadolnik and Katie Buehner, Orchestrating Community: The Public Service of Iowa Conductor James Dixon uses materials from Special Collections and Archives and the Rita Benton Music Library at the University of Iowa Libraries to share the important work of orchestras through the lens of Dixon’s life.
Credits
Exhibition Curation
Sarah Suhadolnik
Assistant Professor of Instruction
University of Iowa School of Music
Katie Buehner
Director, Rita Benton Music Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Preparation and Conservation
Bill Voss, Conservator Technician and Exhibit Preparator
Giselle Simón, University Conservator
Design
Lauren Coghlan, Creative Coordinator
Exhibition Project Coordination
Sara J. Pinkham, Exhibition and Engagement Coordinator, Main Library Gallery
Exhibition and Program Support
Cecil Campbell, Exhibition and Engagement Student Lead, Main Library Gallery
Installation
Bill Voss, Lauren Coghlan, Sara J. Pinkham, Giselle Simón, Kaleb Turnbough
Materials Access Support
Lindsay Moen, Lead Public Services Librarian, Special Collections and Archives
Interactive Audio Station
José Jiménez, Director of Libraries Information Technology
Will Brown, IT Support Consultant
Bill Voss
Audio Editing and Recording
Katie Buehner
Website
Ken Clinkenbeard, Web Services Specialist
Sara J. Pinkham
Communications
Anne Bassett, Senior Director, Strategic Communications and External Relations
Krista Hershberger, Communications Specialist
Kaleb Turnbough, Graphic Design Student Lead
Interactive Touchscreen, Digital Scholarship and Publishing Studio
Matthew Butler, Senior Developer
Alyssa Varner, Creative Coordinator
Financial Support
University of Iowa Libraries Exhibits and Galleries Fund
Special Thanks and Additional Assistance
Carey Bostian, Miera Kim, Christine Bellomy, Sarah Keen, Anastasia Scholze-Wang, Amy McBeth, Christine Burke, Melissa Moll, Bethany Davis, Haziel Candido da Silva Santos, Peyton Flynn, Susan Bawden, Jim Bawden, Suzanne Benson, Gary “Gino” Ciccotelli, Helen Gager, David Greenhoe, Ron Morton, Mary Neil, Carol Phoenix, Julie Scott, Gabryel Smith at the New York Philharmonic Archives, Allison Johnson at the State Historical Society of Iowa – Iowa City Research Center, University of Iowa School of Music and Director Tammie Walker, Pentacrest Museums and Director Liz Crooks, Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Executive Director Brian Baxter.