Institutional Formation + Early Arts Culture
1873-1882 - Movement toward construction of Grand Opera House.
1874 - Dubuque Art Association founded.
1886 - First documented organized art exhibition in Dubuque.
1889 - Expansion of Julien’s Hotel; Major stained glass installed at St. Raphael’s Cathedral.
1890 - Marble altar installed at St. Raphael’s Cathedral.
1893 - Dubuque County Courthouse completed.
1897 - Julien Dubuque Monument constructed.
19th Century Foundations
1839 - Early hotel established at Main & 2nd Street (future site of Hotel Julien Dubuque).
1843 - Clarke University founded (BVM arrival).
1845 - Planning begins for St. Raphael’s Cathedral.
1854 - Waples House renamed Julien Hotel.
1857-1861 - Construction and completion of St. Raphael’s Cathedral.
1864 - Construction begins on St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
DubuqueArtCity Timeline
Early 20th Century + Collection Building
1902 - Carnegie-Stout Library building opens.
1904 - Major stained glass installations at St. Columbkille Church.
1910 - Dubuque Art Association reorganized.
1913 - Fire destroys Julien Hotel.
1915 - New Julien Hotel opens.
1923 - Lull Art Fund established.
1927 - Grant Wood’s Appraisal acquired.
1930 - Local artist exhibitions at Carnegie-Stout Library.
WPA Era + Public Art Foundations
1933 - Julien Dubuque Centennial pageant.
1934 - Federal Building completed.
1936 - WPA murals installed at Eagle Point Park.
1936 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt visits Dubuque WPA sites.
Public Art + Festival Era
1970 - Town Clock Plaza constructed.
1973 - Five Flags Sculpture Contest launched.
1973 - Continuum installed.
1975 - Dubuque Art Association moved to Old Jail.
1976 - 4th Street Artist Gallery founded.
1976 - Dubuque County Fine Arts Society formed.
1978 - Dubuque Area Writers Guild anthology cycle begins (inferred).
1979 - Dubuquefest established.
Mid-Century Cultural Infrastructure
1956 - Dubuque Art Association leaves Carnegie-Stout Library.
1959 - Academy of Ballet founded.
1961-1966 - Ana Mendieta lives in Iowa (including Dubuque).
1962 - Julien Hotel converted to Julien’s Motor Inn.
1965 - Russell and Ruth Nash arrive in Dubuque.
1969 - Dubuque City Youth Ballet first performance.