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Call for Artists: Des Moines Arts Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on October 24, 2011 at 8:47am
Proud Inductee of the National Association of DMAFIndependent Artists Hall of Fame

 

 

WINNER OF THE GOLD GRAND PINNACLE AWARD

 from the International Festival & Events Association

 

AmericanStyle Magazine's Top 10 Art Fairs & Festivals  

June 22-24  

Downtown in Des Moines, Iowa  

185 Artist spaces  

Deadline: October 31

 

Artist Reactions to the DMAF:

I really enjoyed the show from beginning to end. Loved all the info that was sent before the show, loved all the info given at the show. It was easy to find show staff if needed. You get an A+. And I rarely rate a show that well...

 

So many people thanked me for coming. Des Moines has wonderful friendly people. Loved your show, everything about it.

 

Thank you for organizing such a wonderful show and thank you to all of the volunteers who volunteered their time.

 

The organization was near flawless. You have a great community spirit and willingness to buy art. We sold to many individuals who said they came intentionally to purchase a special piece for their home or office from this fair.

 

This show is perhaps the best run show I have ever done.

 

The City of Des Moines invites you to be part of the award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival®. The Des Moines Arts Festival® is one of the nation's most respected arts events hosting 185 of the nation's top artists in a beautiful urban setting surrounding the 4.4 acre John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. The outdoor Festival of arts and culture attracts more than 200,000 people each year to its downtown location in Iowa's capital city and largest metropolitan area. DMAF is a show dedicated to the highest standards and works diligently to maintain a positive environment for artists and their clients.

 

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The Fact Sheet
LOCATION: Downtown Des Moines, Iowa on Locust Street and Grand Ave. between 16th St. and 10th St.
CONTACT:  Stephen King, Executive Director
AVG. SALES: Gross Avg. = $7,487 (Source - 2011 Artist Post-event Survey)
ONE-TIME JURY
IMAGES:  5 images of work + 1 booth image
JURORS:  5 paid. Includes two invited (exempt) artists from 2011
SCORING:  1-7, no 4
JURY/APPLICATION FEE:  $25
BOOTH SPACE FEE:  $375/$475
PRODUCED BY:  Downtown Events Group, 501(c)3 Non-profit corp.
NO. OF EXHIBITORS EXPECTED FROM JURY POOL:  170-175 (we jury spaces with the final number of spaces available being 185)
NO. OF ARTISTS EXEMPT FROM JURY:  10

Artist Information and Benefits6a00e54fba8a7388330134876b9f2f970c-pi
  • Projected Attendance - 200,000+.
  • $10,000 in Cash Awards at the time of publication. $1500 to the Best of Show, up to five Merit Awards of $1000 each; three Juror Awards of $500 each presented by each of the jurors; $1000 to the Best of Emerging Iowa Artist; and, $1000 to The Des Moines Register People's Choice Award.   
  • Each of the above awards includes an automatic invitation to 2013 show.  
  • Official Festival Program includes color thumbnail image of each exhibiting artist.
  • Web site includes full-color image with name and live link to artist Web site.
  • Free reserved parking; Invitations to special events and receptions; Hospitality Area; Exclusive "Express Lane" concessions
  • 24-hour Security. Free Electricity. Leisurely set-up (full day is available). Booth sitters and energetic volunteers.  
About our jury process
6a00e54fba8a7388330133f5501811970b-pi?width=150The jury is scheduled for November 16-18, 2011. The location for the projection jury is the Arthur Davis Conference Center in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Applying artists and special guests are invited to a special Jury Preview on November 16, 2011 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Projection of images for the jury begins promptly at 6 p.m. The jury preview is an opportunity for artists to view their images at the same time and in the same manner the jury will see them.  In addition, the entire three-day process is streamed live on the Internet.

Should you have any questions about the process, please do not hesitate to call Stephen King, Executive Director, at 515.286.4927 or email sking@desmoinesartsfestival.org.

We value your participation and look forward to seeing you in June 2012!

For more information: www.DesMoinesArtsFestival.org
Don't wait! Apply today: www.zapplication.org

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Looking for more 2012 festivals? Visit www.CallsforArtists.com

 

Tags: Des Moines, Des Moines Arts Festival, Iowa art fairs, arts festival, calls for artists
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Comments

  • Valarie Allen October 25, 2011 at 1:35pm
    Well, for one thing, since I have only done the one outdoor show, I don't have very good booth pictures because I basically didn't know what I needed to do, plus it's pretty sparse because the wind was so awful all weekend. That's my first excuse, my second is that I've seen some of the artists that have done the DMAF and they have truly awesome work. I'm in a whole other category, I know, but it's still daunting to think about.
  • Connie Mettler October 25, 2011 at 1:01pm
    Why not apply, Valarie, to either or both? Lots to be learned by a newbie and there is nothing like experience to shorten the learning curve. Be brave.
  • Valarie Allen October 25, 2011 at 12:17pm
    I'm trying to work up the nerve to apply to ArtFest,"the other Art show", which is the one you mention at the varied industries building at the fair grounds. These are bigger shows than I've applied to before, but I guess I have to start somewhere. Your post is quite insightful.
  • James Navarro October 24, 2011 at 11:34pm
    For any other artists applying to do the Des Moines Arts Festival check out also "the other art show" run by Stookey productions. Granted the DM show is top notch but don't overlook this other show. The DM art fest is downtown and running in hot summer (and it was a hot summer) and the other show is a quick 2 miles away on the Iowa State fairgrounds varied industries building. Indoors, AC, and a nice setting. They bring free buses from downtown to the front door of the later. I went to both shows and found that they don't compete with one another. Usually one finds the main show and the other a secondary trailing craft one. Not Here the other show only compliments the bigger elite art festival and takes on a smaller, quality, relaxing show offering buyers their choice of, "if I don't see anything at the DM show then let's go check out the other show." That's it, just remember to put both of these shows on your radar if planning to enter DM.
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