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Get matched →The Des Moines Arts Festival® is one of the world's most respected juried art festivals, hosting 195 artists in a beautiful urban street setting surrounding the 4.4 acres of John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and the Krause Gateway Center designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop . 16-time winner of the coveted Grand Pinnacle Award from the International Festivals and Events Association, the outdoor festival celebrating arts and culture attracts more than 150,000 people each year to its downtown location in Iowa's capital city and largest metropolitan area. The Festival is dedicated to the highest standards of excellence and fosters a progressive environment for artists and their clients. The Festival is produced by a non-profit organization, with any proceeds earned going to the continuation of the Festival, keeping artist fees low and supporting the advancement and advocacy of working professional and emerging artists.
DES MOINES ARTS FESTIVAL ®
30th Anniversary
16-TIME WINNER OF THE PRESTIGIOUS GRAND PINNACLE AWARD
from the International Festivals & Events Association
ENCORE AWARD
Bravo Greater Des Moines
TOP 10 ARTS FESTIVALS
USA Today
TOURISM BEST FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Iowa Department of Tourism
PEOPLE'S CHOICE, BEST CULTURAL EVENT
Des Moines Business Record
What they're saying...
(from the post-event artist survey and comments)
"Artists whisper fervently of the shining unicorn of a show that is Des Moines"
"I left with empty walls and a full wallet"
"I had never been to Des Moines and what a welcome. It was my best show ever."
"Best managed, designed and run art show in the country."
"This is one of the best-run shows anywhere in the country. They think of everything."
"You treat artists with such respect."
OUR MISSION
Impact Lives Through the Arts
Our Core Values are to:
Inspire Appreciation of the Arts
We cultivate, educate and engage our audience toward a heightened appreciation of the arts.
Celebrate Original Art
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.
OUR VISION Strengthen a Vibrant and Creative Community
THE FACT SHEET (all information subject to change)
LOCATION : Downtown Des Moines, Iowa, on Locust Street and Grand Ave. between 16th Street and 10th Street. The Festival surrounds the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, the Krause Gateway Center designed by acclaimed architect Renzo Piano Workshop, and the Butterfield-designed Downtown Library.
CONTACT : Stephen King, CFEE, Executive Director
EMAIL: [email protected]
MAILING ADDRESS : P.O. Box 1434, Des Moines, IA 50305
SALES: Artists retain 100% of their sales and are responsible for state and local taxes.
JURY: One-time projected simultaneously across one line left to right with the booth image being image #5.
IMAGES : 4 images of work + 1 booth image. Images may not include identifiers, including the artist's name or business.
JURORS : 5 paid. Includes two (2) invited artists exempt from jurying.
SCORING (see details below): First scoring round is 1-7, no 4. All other rounds are a majority show of hands.
JURY/APPLICATION FEE : $45 early application fee November 2 – Jan. 17; $55 Jan. 18 - 24.
BOOTH SPACE FEE : $625 for 10'x10'. An additional $170 is charged for a corner booth. Limited number of Double-DEEP booths available for $1120. Double-wide space limited to artists selected in separate mediums.
BOOTH SPACE : 10'x10' with 1' buffer all around (2' between each tent), most with abundant storage close to the booth. A limited number of 10' (front) x 20' (deep) interior and corner booths are available. We do not offer 20' wide booth spaces unless the artist is juried to show two bodies of work.
ELECTRIC : Provided by the festival at no additional charge. Fueled or noisy generators are not allowed.
ARTIST PRESENCE : All required (individual and partner(s)/collaborator(s)).
NO. OF EXHIBITORS EXPECTED FROM JURY POOL : Approx. 180 (we jury spaces with the final number of spaces available being 195).
NO. OF ARTISTS EXEMPT FROM JURY : At least 14 (award winners from the previous year, and special invitation including previous year's poster artist and deferments)
INSURANCE : Required. Upon acceptance, artist(s) must provide Des Moines Arts Festival with an appropriate Certificate of Insurance, naming Des Moines Arts Festival as an additional insured pursuant to a general liability insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 2,000,000. Artists may not set up or exhibit until the approved certificate is received by the Festival office.
ATTENDANCE : Appx. 150,000+ projected
FESTIVAL HOURS : Friday, 11a - 10p; Saturday, 11a - 10p; Sunday, 11a - 5p.
SECURITY : 24-hour
PARKING : Free/reserved/off-site dedicated.
STRUCTURE : All exhibiting artists are required to use a white, professional tent of commercial or professional grade, with heavy weights (minimum of 40 pounds) at each corner, and to use stabilizing measures to provide maximum safety to artists and guests. Cheap accordion-style pop-up tents are expressly forbidden. Send questions about the tent to [email protected]. Note: The jury does not consider the structure in the booth image. That is a staff responsibility.
ARTIST BENEFITS
Comprehensive and aggressive marketing and media campaign spotlighting artists and their original artwork, through television, billboard, radio, social, digital, earned media, and public relations. The dedicated campaign stretches to Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri. Our research shows many patrons visit the festival from surrounding states.
Top-notch & experienced Artist Relations Volunteer Team.
Booth sitters, complimentary water, and a snack wagon delivered throughout the day.
$10,500 in cash awards at the time of publication. $1500 to the Best of Show; three Juror Awards of $1000 presented by each of the jurors; up to five Awards of Excellence at $1000 each. These amounts may be altered by the jury, but the total will remain intact.
Favorable hotel rates at downtown hotels within walking distance of the festival site, offering an artist rate and late-night food and bar menus. Hotel rooms and rates are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Responsive online artist gallery and high-octane social media campaign
Access to indoor air-conditioned restroom facilities.
Exclusive "Express Lane" concessions means you don't stand in line.
24-hour security and Des Moines police.
Electricity is included in the booth fee.
Art Bucks program (gift certificates sold in advance of the festival exclusively for artwork)
Leisurely and accessible set-up (anytime after 1 p.m. on Thursday and 8-10 on Friday morning).
Comprehensive emergency/evacutation plan dedicated to keeping artists and guests safe.
Booth Amenities include at least 121 sf, street location, and storage.
EMERGING IOWA ARTIST PROGRAM (EIA)
Iowa residents currently enrolled in or recently graduated (within one year) from a university, college or art school anywhere in the U.S. are eligible to apply to the Emerging Iowa Artists (EIA) program. This program allows selected artists to promote their talents, demonstrate their craft, and sell their artwork at the Des Moines Arts Festival. Emerging Iowa Artists do not pay a booth fee and exhibit under a festival-provided tent. The application fee is also waived as long as the applicant uses the provided coupon code when submitting their application.
Qualified artists m