THE APPLICATION FOR THE 2010 SHOW IS NOW CLOSED.
Applications for the 2011 show will open on or around Sept. 1, 2010 and close Oct. 31, 2010.
What follows is the contents of the 2010 application and is posted here only for reference.
It does not necessarily apply to the 2011 show.
To receive notice the application is open go to www.zapplication.org and create/open an account. Select Des Moines Arts Festival as a show you want to be reminded of. You will receive an email from Zapplication. All applications are accepted only through Zapp.
Application deadline is Oct. 31, 2010
Artist Reactions to DMAF -
“This is one of the most professionally produced events we have participated in that caters thoughtfully to both patrons and artists.”
"Des Moines Arts Festival should be a benchmark for all other outdoor craft shows. One, we are lucky enough to have had very excellent sales. Two, the treatment of the artists before, during and after the fair is so good, it's almost sad when it's over."
"Stellar event in every way."
"I was mightily impressed with the obvious effort extended for this festival and glad to have the venue to present my work within. I was proud to be part of it.”
Artist Reactions to DMAF -
"Des Moines Arts Festival should be a benchmark for all other outdoor craft shows. One, we are lucky enough to have had very excellent sales. Two, the treatment of the artists before, during and after the fair is so good, it's almost sad when it's over."
The Emerging Iowa
The Fact Sheet
LOCATION: Downtown Des Moines, Iowa on Locust Street and Grand Ave. between 16th Street and 10th Street.
EVENT NAME: Des Moines Arts Festival
CONTACT: Stephen King, Executive Director
MAILING ADDRESS: 700 Locust Street, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50309
TELEPHONE: 515.286.4927
FAX: 515.286.4942
AVG. SALES: Gross Avg. = $9,497 (Source – 2009 Artist Survey)
ONE-TIME JURY
IMAGES: 5 images of work + 1 booth image
VIEWED: Simultaneous with 1, 2, 3 on top and 3, 4, booth on bottom
JURORS: 5 paid. Includes two invited artists from 2009
SCORING: 1-7, no 4
JURY/APPLICATION FEE: $25
BOOTH SPACE FEE: $350/$450
CASH AWARDS: $11,000
BOOTH SPACE: 10’x10’ with 1’ buffer all around
ELECTRIC: Provided free of charge. Generators not allowed.
PRODUCED BY: Downtown Events Group, 501(c)3 Non-profit corp.
ARTIST PRESENCE: Required
REPRODUCTIONS: Not allowed
NO. OF APPLICATIONS IN 2009: 1,298
No. of Exhibitors expected from Jury pool: 164
No. of Artists exempt from jury: 21
SECURITY: 24-hour
PARKING: Free/reserved
MEDIA (in 2009): 2D, 130; 3D, 59; Ceramics/Clay, 130; Digital, 25; Drawing/Pastels, 30; EIA, 39; Fiber, 76; Glass, 79; Graphics/Printmaking, 36; Jewelry, 207; Metalworks, 42; Painting, 157; Photography, 140; Sculpture, 81; Wood, 67.
Artist Information and Benefits
- Projected Attendance – More than 200,000.
- $11,000 in Cash Awards at the time of publication. $600 to each category award, $1000 to the Best of Emerging Iowa Artist; and, $1000 to The Des Moines Register People’s Choice Award.
- Awards include automatic invitation to following year’s show.
- Artist Awards Ceremony includes breakfast on Saturday morning.
- Official Festival Guide includes color image for each artist distributed to 220,000+ households via The Des Moines Register; as well as distributed to point of sale locations and on-site during event.
- Web site includes full-color image with name and live link to artist Web site.
- Free WiFi throughout Festival site
- Free reserved parking.
- Invitations to special events and receptions.
- Exclusive Hospitality Area.
- Air-conditioned restroom facilities reserved for artists only
- Exclusive “Express Lane” concessions
- 24-hour Security
- Free Electricity
- Leisurely set-up (full day is available)
- Booth sitters and energetic volunteers
- Booth Amenities
- 10' x 10' Booth with at least 121 square feet (1’ on sides and back)
- All booths on street at press time.
- Storage Behind Booth. Some booths will have 1’ behind booth, others a full sidewalk.
The Fact Sheet
LOCATION: Downtown Des Moines, Iowa on Locust Street and Grand Ave. between 16th Street and 10th Street.
EVENT NAME: Des Moines Arts Festival
CONTACT: Stephen King, Executive Director
MAILING ADDRESS: 700 Locust Street, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50309
TELEPHONE: 515.286.4927
FAX: 515.286.4942
AVG. SALES: Gross Avg. = $9,497 (Source – 2009 Artist Survey)
ONE-TIME JURY
IMAGES: 5 images of work + 1 booth image
VIEWED: Simultaneous with 1, 2, 3 on top and 3, 4, booth on bottom
JURORS: 5 paid. Includes two invited artists from 2009
SCORING: 1-7, no 4
JURY/APPLICATION FEE: $25
BOOTH SPACE FEE: $350/$450
CASH AWARDS: $11,000
BOOTH SPACE: 10’x10’ with 1’ buffer all around
ELECTRIC: Provided free of charge. Generators not allowed.
PRODUCED BY: Downtown Events Group, 501(c)3 Non-profit corp.
ARTIST PRESENCE: Required
REPRODUCTIONS: Not allowed
NO. OF APPLICATIONS IN 2009: 1,298
No. of Exhibitors expected from Jury pool: 164
No. of Artists exempt from jury: 21
SECURITY: 24-hour
PARKING: Free/reserved
MEDIA (in 2009): 2D, 130; 3D, 59; Ceramics/Clay, 130; Digital, 25; Drawing/Pastels, 30; EIA, 39; Fiber, 76; Glass, 79; Graphics/Printmaking, 36; Jewelry, 207; Metalworks, 42; Painting, 157; Photography, 140; Sculpture, 81; Wood, 67.
Artist Information and Benefits
- Projected Attendance – More than 200,000.
- $11,000 in Cash Awards at the time of publication. $600 to each category award, $1000 to the Best of Emerging Iowa Artist; and, $1000 to The Des Moines Register People’s Choice Award.
- Awards include automatic invitation to following year’s show.
- Artist Awards Ceremony includes breakfast on Saturday morning.
- Official Festival Guide includes color image for each artist distributed to 220,000+ households via The Des Moines Register; as well as distributed to point of sale locations and on-site during event.
- Web site includes full-color image with name and live link to artist Web site.
- Free WiFi throughout Festival site
- Free reserved parking.
- Invitations to special events and receptions.
- Exclusive Hospitality Area.
- Air-conditioned restroom facilities reserved for artists only
- Exclusive “Express Lane” concessions
- 24-hour Security
- Free Electricity
- Leisurely set-up (full day is available)
- Booth sitters and energetic volunteers
- Booth Amenities
- 10' x 10' Booth with at least 121 square feet (1’ on sides and back)
- All booths on street at press time.
- Storage Behind Booth. Some booths will have 1’ behind booth, others a full sidewalk.
Festival Hours
Friday, June 25, 2010
4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Hours subject to change.
Important Dates
Application Available
September 7, 2009
Application Deadline
October 31, 2009 11:59:59PM CST
Notifications Emailed
December 4, 2009
Deadline to confirm participation
January 16, 2010
Jury
Nov. 18-20, 2009 in Des Moines, IA
Refund Deadline
March 12, 2010
Festival Hours
Friday, June 25, 2010
4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Hours subject to change.
Important Dates
Application Available
September 7, 2009
About our jury process
The jury is scheduled for November 18-20, 2009. The location for the projection jury is the Arthur Davis Conference Center, 700 Locust Street, Suite 100.
Applying artists and special guests are invited to a special Jury Preview on November 18, 2009 beginning at 6pm. 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. An email notice will be sent to all applicants of the details.
Artists will receive notification by email of the jury results on December 4, 2009. Please note that we do not send anything my snail mail.
164 spaces will be available through the jury process. Twenty-one (21) booth spaces are reserved for 2009 category winners, Best of Show and People’s Choice award winners. Up to an additional five (5) spaces are reserved for invitation. The jury uses the following standards to guide their decision:
- Projection “blind" jury
- The jury will view each artist’s set of six images. One of the six images shall be of the artist's booth showing body of work. The images will be projected in two rows, three images on top and three images on bottom, simultaneously. All applications from professional artists must submit an authentic booth image – no photoshopped images of a booth or images with the artist name or company– no exceptions. If you submit an application without the booth image or the booth image is digitally enhanced in any way, your application will be returned to you for modification. Please note that EIA’s will show a sixth image in place of the booth image.
- The ideal work will reflect excellence.
- The work should be well conceived and expertly executed.
- The work should show an identity of design.
- All work must be original and made by hand.
- Artwork is considered solely on the merit of the work pictured. This and your submitted Artist Statement will be the only criteria considered. (See below regarding Artist Statement).
- The work should be professionally and creatively presented. The better the image presented, the better your opportunity.
- The work presented for jury must be for sale. If the work isn’t for sale, do not submit the image.
A note about the booth image. The booth image shows the jury your body of work, provides dimension and scale, and a sense of artistic and creative presentation (will the jury feel “wow”). It will also report to the jury if the work submitted in the individual images reflects your current style and overall body of work. NOTE: The DMAF does NOT accept “photoshopped” or enhanced images of your booth. We also do not accept booth images that contain the artist’s name or company name.
Artist Statement
The application will automatically have a question for an artist description of material and technique of 100 characters. You are encouraged to enter a description of material and technique that is concise and explains well the body of work. The jury responds best to a description of technique rather than how you are inspired. The first (up to) 100 characters of the submitted statement will be read to the jury.
Notification
- On December 4, 2009, the Des Moines Arts Festival will notify applicants via Zapplication (email) submitted in their profile whether accepted, not accepted or on the waitlist.
- Accepted artists will be posted on www.desmoinesartsfestival.org.
- Results will not be given over the phone.
- Jury scores are not issued.
All decisions of the jury are final.
Artist Statement
The application will automatically have a question for an artist description of material and technique of 100 characters. You are encouraged to enter a description of material and technique that is concise and explains well the body of work. The jury responds best to a description of technique rather than how you are inspired. The first (up to) 100 characters of the submitted statement will be read to the jury.
The application will automatically have a question for an artist description of material and technique of 100 characters. You are encouraged to enter a description of material and technique that is concise and explains well the body of work. The jury responds best to a description of technique rather than how you are inspired. The first (up to) 100 characters of the submitted statement will be read to the jury.
Notification
- On December 4, 2009, the Des Moines Arts Festival will notify applicants via Zapplication (email) submitted in their profile whether accepted, not accepted or on the waitlist.
- Accepted artists will be posted on www.desmoinesartsfestival.org.
- Results will not be given over the phone.
- Jury scores are not issued.
All decisions of the jury are final.
Waitlist
The Des Moines Arts Festival maintains a waitlist from the jury process. There is no scientific formula for this list other than an attempt to maintain show balance. At least two artists from each category are placed on the waitlist (could be more, could be two) based on score breaks. For example, if invited artists score breaks at 80 out of 100 (all artists scoring 80 or above are invited) and five artists score 79 and three artists score 78, all five artists scoring 79 will be placed on the waitlist. However, if the category is stronger in total scores, this number may be larger. (for example, if a smaller category scores higher and therefore the cut-off score is higher, then it is more likely more artists from that category will be placed on the Wait List). Overall, our goal is show balance. If an artist from a smaller number category withdraws, we will replace that category with the same. If an artist from a higher number category withdraws, we will look at score. Artists are notified by the Festival when a space becomes available.
Booth fees are due by January 15, 2010. Double booths are available to artists who jury into two separate categories.
Single Booth Fee: $350
Double Booth Fee: $700
Corner Booth Fee: $450
A full refund of booth fee is available until March 12, 2010.
Booth fees are due by January 15, 2010. Double booths are available to artists who jury into two separate categories.
Single Booth Fee: $350
Double Booth Fee: $700
Corner Booth Fee: $450
A full refund of booth fee is available until March 12, 2010.
Rules
The Des Moines Arts Festival considers its enforcement of the rules our exclusive right and responsibility. Festival officials will visit all displays at intervals throughout the Festival to ensure that exhibitors comply with all Festival rules, including but not limited to checking identification. Noncompliance can result in expulsion and ineligibility for jurying, awards and participation in future Festivals.
1. All work exhibited must be original art produced by the artist.
2. It is the work by the artist that is juried, therefore any change in the body of work by the artist is not considered juried and may not be sold until approved by the director of the show. Please see the description of our New Directions program below. Absolutely no consideration will be made if the work is of a different discipline.
3. Artists may only exhibit work they juried in the discipline in which they are accepted.
4. Only original artwork may be displayed and/or offered for sale.
5. Ceramic works must be handmade by the artist. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each piece must be signed.
6. Prints may only be exhibited by exhibitors accepted in the graphics/printmaking category. Prints must be produced in signed, limited editions, which are hand-pulled by the artist.
7. No reproductions are allowed. If a work exists as a painting, watercolor, drawing, etc. and is copied by digital or photographic means and printed on an offset press, a serigraph press or through a computer by means of an ink jet or electrostatic printer, this would be a reproduction. This includes giclees.
8. All artists must be present to exhibit. This includes partners. If partners apply as the artist, partners must be present. No proxy of any kind is permitted.
9. A picture ID is required at artist check-in by all artists accepted to exhibit. In addition, the Festival reserves the right to check ID each day of the Festival to ensure the artist is present. Artists may NOT set-up or have their booth set-up until they have provided proof of their presence.
10. Exhibitors may not sell promotional items such as postcards, notecards, calendars, t-shirts or photocopy and/or offset reproductions of any kind. The sale of non-original promotional items is prohibited. Artists may display for review portfolio or bound publications. These may not be sold, but may be given away.
11. Artists are responsible for proper insurance and protection of work and setup. The Des Moines Arts Festival will not be responsible for damage to work or setup due to weather or unrelated incidents.
12. Only artists accepted in the jewelry category may display and sell jewelry.
13. Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting all taxes, including 6% Iowa sales tax.
14. All work submitted for jury must be for sale.
In addition to the rules of exhibiting, the following guidelines/restrictions apply to the jury process:
1. Artists may jury in more than one category only with a distinctly different body of work.
2. Artists wishing to exhibit work produced in more than one media discipline must create a new profile for each category on Zapplication and submit a jury fee for each category. Only one application may be submitted per body of work represented. Multiple applications must represent work in different media categories. Artists whose work is selected in multiple categories are eligible for a single double booth space.
3. Jewelry may only be submitted for jury in the jewelry category.
4. Furniture makers may not enter in sculpture category.
5. Photography may only be submitted for jury in the photography category.
6. Upon receipt of application, the Festival reserves the right to return any application if it is deemed noncompliant for a particular discipline.
PLEASE NOTE – REGARDING COLLABORATING ARTISTS: If you are submitting an application as a collaborating artist/partner, you must submit the name(s) with the application. Here is how to submit your application as a collaborating artist - Go to “My Profile” first. Enter one of the two collaborating artists as the primary contact in the profile form (this name will always appear first in publications and online of accepted). After completing the information requested, there is a section at the bottom of the profile page to enter the collaborating artist name(s). This information is carried over to the application for purposes of identifying a collaborative effort. You may not add a partner after the jury. If you have any questions or difficulties registering the partner, please contact the DMAF office before submitting your application.
In addition to the rules of exhibiting, the following guidelines/restrictions apply to the jury process:
1. Artists may jury in more than one category only with a distinctly different body of work.
2. Artists wishing to exhibit work produced in more than one media discipline must create a new profile for each category on Zapplication and submit a jury fee for each category. Only one application may be submitted per body of work represented. Multiple applications must represent work in different media categories. Artists whose work is selected in multiple categories are eligible for a single double booth space.
3. Jewelry may only be submitted for jury in the jewelry category.
4. Furniture makers may not enter in sculpture category.
5. Photography may only be submitted for jury in the photography category.
6. Upon receipt of application, the Festival reserves the right to return any application if it is deemed noncompliant for a particular discipline.
PLEASE NOTE – REGARDING COLLABORATING ARTISTS: If you are submitting an application as a collaborating artist/partner, you must submit the name(s) with the application. Here is how to submit your application as a collaborating artist - Go to “My Profile” first. Enter one of the two collaborating artists as the primary contact in the profile form (this name will always appear first in publications and online of accepted). After completing the information requested, there is a section at the bottom of the profile page to enter the collaborating artist name(s). This information is carried over to the application for purposes of identifying a collaborative effort. You may not add a partner after the jury. If you have any questions or difficulties registering the partner, please contact the DMAF office before submitting your application.
Discipline Descriptions
2-D Mixed Media – Includes any combination of a variety of materials to create an original work of art with a one-sided orientation. Collages are an example of this type of artwork.
3-D Mixed Media – Combines a variety of materials plus their associated techniques, to form an original work of art visible from 360 degrees.
Ceramics – The expression of art through earthenware, porcelain, or tile, made by shaping and then firing a nonmetallic mineral, such as clay, at a high temperature.
Digital – This category includes original work created solely on a computer and work created by using computer programs to significantly manipulate or alter source material(s) such as scans or digital files. Work must be limited editions, signed and numbered, using only archival materials.
Drawing/Pastels – Drawings are works on paper using pencil, crayon, ink, charcoal, pastels and a variety of other marking media.
Emerging Iowa Artist – The Emerging Iowa Artist Program provides the opportunity for Iowa residents enrolled in universities, colleges and art schools across the country to participate in the Des Moines Arts Festival free of charge. Please see above description for qualifications and description.
Fiber – Includes artwork from fibers such as basketry, embroidery, weaving, leatherwork, tapestry and papermaking.
Glass – The expression of art through transparent or translucent objects made from blowing and fashioning glass.
Graphics/Printmaking – Printmaking is a transfer process of producing original art, usually in multiples. It involves creating a drawing or other composition, on a surface other than paper, for transfer to paper through the use of a press or through impressions made by hand.
Jewelry – Ornaments, such as bracelets, necklaces, or rings, made of precious metals set with gems or semi-precious gems.
Metalworks – Creating artwork through the forging, twisting and fabricating of various metals.
Painting – To form in colors a figure of likeness on a flat surface, as upon canvas; to represent by means of colors or hues; to exhibit in a tinted image; to portray with paints; as, to paint a still life, portrait or a landscape.
Photography – The process of capturing images by the action of light, then printing the images, by chemical or digital means, onto a surface. The photography category includes traditional film photography, hand colored images, emulsion transfers and digital photography that has not been excessively manipulated to achieve results beyond what could be done in a traditional darkroom. Photographers are required to disclose their creative and printing process including editions and materials. Traditional photography using digital means should apply in the photography category.
Sculpture – The art or practice of shaping figures or design in the round or in relief, as by chiseling marble, modeling clay, or casting metal.
Wood – A category of functional art objects, such as furniture or table wares, that may be hand-tooled or machine worked.
Introducing New Directions
We are implementing a new program for juried artists in 2010. New Directions is designed for professional visual artists (we make the distinction because we have an emerging artist program) who are juried into the show and who, between the time they are juried and the date of the show are exploring new directions in their current work. Exhibiting artists will have this opportunity available to them to introduce to our guests expressions of new art they are exploring.
All artists will jury with their body of work as they normally do. Upon acceptance into the show, artists will be notified of the details of the policies surrounding its integrity. Should any juried artist find themselves exploring a new direction with their work and wants to participate in the program, we will work with them on a case-by-case basis within a set of perimeters that all of us (including the show) must follow.
In order to keep in tact the decisions of the jury, we will institute a few perimeters, including new work may not occupy but a small percentage of the overall exhibit space; the work will be identified as “new work” within the exhibit space; the work must be an extension of the work juried into the show; the new work must be clearly defined within the exhibit; and, it all must be original. What it may not be is a completely new body of work.
Our goal is to encourage artistic exploration while trying to maintain the high standards of the jury process. We recognize that artists wander outside their box and often find themselves rejuvenated by the journey of discovering a new talent you had or wanted to explore, but didn’t because you were working too hard to stay inside the box we created for you. And because we appreciate that we are collaborators in this industry we are reaching out to offer this “new direction.”
Many thanks for your interest in the Des Moines Arts Festival. Should you have any questions about the process, please do not hesitate to call Stephen King, Director, at 515.286.4927 or email stephen.king@desmoinesartsfestival.org.
We value your participation and look forward to seeing you in June 2010!
Discipline Descriptions
2-D Mixed Media – Includes any combination of a variety of materials to create an original work of art with a one-sided orientation. Collages are an example of this type of artwork.
3-D Mixed Media – Combines a variety of materials plus their associated techniques, to form an original work of art visible from 360 degrees.
Ceramics – The expression of art through earthenware, porcelain, or tile, made by shaping and then firing a nonmetallic mineral, such as clay, at a high temperature.
Digital – This category includes original work created solely on a computer and work created by using computer programs to significantly manipulate or alter source material(s) such as scans or digital files. Work must be limited editions, signed and numbered, using only archival materials.
Drawing/Pastels – Drawings are works on paper using pencil, crayon, ink, charcoal, pastels and a variety of other marking media.
Emerging Iowa Artist – The Emerging Iowa Artist Program provides the opportunity for Iowa residents enrolled in universities, colleges and art schools across the country to participate in the Des Moines Arts Festival free of charge. Please see above description for qualifications and description.
Fiber – Includes artwork from fibers such as basketry, embroidery, weaving, leatherwork, tapestry and papermaking.
Glass – The expression of art through transparent or translucent objects made from blowing and fashioning glass.
Graphics/Printmaking – Printmaking is a transfer process of producing original art, usually in multiples. It involves creating a drawing or other composition, on a surface other than paper, for transfer to paper through the use of a press or through impressions made by hand.
Jewelry – Ornaments, such as bracelets, necklaces, or rings, made of precious metals set with gems or semi-precious gems.
Metalworks – Creating artwork through the forging, twisting and fabricating of various metals.
Painting – To form in colors a figure of likeness on a flat surface, as upon canvas; to represent by means of colors or hues; to exhibit in a tinted image; to portray with paints; as, to paint a still life, portrait or a landscape.
Photography – The process of capturing images by the action of light, then printing the images, by chemical or digital means, onto a surface. The photography category includes traditional film photography, hand colored images, emulsion transfers and digital photography that has not been excessively manipulated to achieve results beyond what could be done in a traditional darkroom. Photographers are required to disclose their creative and printing process including editions and materials. Traditional photography using digital means should apply in the photography category.
Sculpture – The art or practice of shaping figures or design in the round or in relief, as by chiseling marble, modeling clay, or casting metal.
Wood – A category of functional art objects, such as furniture or table wares, that may be hand-tooled or machine worked.
Introducing New Directions
We are implementing a new program for juried artists in 2010. New Directions is designed for professional visual artists (we make the distinction because we have an emerging artist program) who are juried into the show and who, between the time they are juried and the date of the show are exploring new directions in their current work. Exhibiting artists will have this opportunity available to them to introduce to our guests expressions of new art they are exploring.
All artists will jury with their body of work as they normally do. Upon acceptance into the show, artists will be notified of the details of the policies surrounding its integrity. Should any juried artist find themselves exploring a new direction with their work and wants to participate in the program, we will work with them on a case-by-case basis within a set of perimeters that all of us (including the show) must follow.
In order to keep in tact the decisions of the jury, we will institute a few perimeters, including new work may not occupy but a small percentage of the overall exhibit space; the work will be identified as “new work” within the exhibit space; the work must be an extension of the work juried into the show; the new work must be clearly defined within the exhibit; and, it all must be original. What it may not be is a completely new body of work.
Our goal is to encourage artistic exploration while trying to maintain the high standards of the jury process. We recognize that artists wander outside their box and often find themselves rejuvenated by the journey of discovering a new talent you had or wanted to explore, but didn’t because you were working too hard to stay inside the box we created for you. And because we appreciate that we are collaborators in this industry we are reaching out to offer this “new direction.”
Many thanks for your interest in the Des Moines Arts Festival. Should you have any questions about the process, please do not hesitate to call Stephen King, Director, at 515.286.4927 or email stephen.king@desmoinesartsfestival.org.
We value your participation and look forward to seeing you in June 2010!
