The Des Moines Symphony Academy and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa recently launched a new program to bring beginner-level string instrument classes to 16 area youths.  

The Beginning Strings Program seeks to reach children who have limited or no access to music instruction or instruments. Underwritten by Harry and Pam Bookey, the program is modeled after Harmony Project, a Los Angeles-based after-school music program that was recently featured on National Public Radio.

"We recognize the significant impact that quality music instruction has on children's lives and their intellectual development, and ... we are thrilled to partner with the Boys and Girls Clubs to help bring these experiences to their students," says Des Moines Symphony Academy managing director Joshua Barlage.       

• Professionals and community members are invited to the 2015 Herb and Karen Baum Symposium on Ethics and Professions on April 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., in Drake University's Olmsted Center (2507 University Ave.). The symposium will cover how people in a wide range of professions can engage in human rights work. Registration for the event is free for Drake University students, faculty and alumni; $32.64 for the public. For more information and to register, click here. In conjunction with the symposium, a free public lecture by former Sen. Tom Harkin will be April 16 at 7 p.m. in the same building; register here.




• A series of events today through April 18 will mark Polk County Housing Trust Fund's (PCHTF) Affordable Housing Week, including the Housing Matters Symposium April 16; Hawthorn Hill's 6th annual Art & More for Shelter fundraiser April 16; and the Community Walking Tour of affordable housing in downtown Des Moines April 17. Locations and times vary; click here to see the calendar. Visit pchtf.org for more information.

   
• ArtForceIowa will open "Consent 2 Create," an exhibit featuring artwork by at-risk youths, at Polk County Heritage Gallery (111 Court Ave.) April 20. The gallery also will host the Consent 2 Create Gala May 21 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. that will include art and music by the youths, a silent auction featuring works by prominent area artists and catering by Patton's Restaurant. Tickets to the gala cost $40 in advance, $45 at the door, and the can be purchased here. For more information, click here. The exhibit runs through June 3.

Sherryl Viars, a longtime Des Moines marketing professional, has joined K. Renee as the client relations and sales manager. You can meet Viars at a special event the clothing boutique will host April 23-25 that will feature custom creations from Amina Marie Millenary. Stop by during store hours to sip a complimentary mint julep and peruse the collection of one-of-a-kind hats as well as the store's new spring collection.    

As most artists know, the creative process can be a solitary--and lonely--affair. That fact spurred local arts advocate Chad Michael Cox to start Art Hang, a new group that meets the fourth Friday of every month (April 24 this month) at the Ritual Café downtown (1301 Locust St.). The breakfast gathering is open to writers, visual artists, musicians and others involved in creative endeavors, says Cox, who recently published his first book, a fantasy called "The Adow," and serves as the group's facilitator. Though Cox says there's no formal agenda, Art Hang helps foster camaraderie as well as ideas and inspiration. "It's an opportunity to share your artistic journey with others," he says. Art Hang begins at 8 a.m. and lasts about an hour; for more details, email Cox at chadmichaelcox@gmail.com or call 343-7163..