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Dec. 1, 2022
One Amazing Year!

This year we celebrated the 25th Anniversary Des Moines Arts Festival, we also produced A Seat at the Table and launched the all new MicroGrant Dinners and Wine & Clay. Behind the scenes we've been busy developing more programs to support and elevate our creative community. Stay tuned for the announcements of new programs, events and activities coming your way in 2023. 

As we roll into the last month of year, we are grateful for the support from our patrons. To those businesses, organizations and individuals have supported us throughout this year, we say 
Thank you!

Our Patrons make it possible to maintain a free admission event and keep our artist participation fees low while also providing support for programming and professional development to artists and arts organizations. 

In this season of giving, consider making a donation to support the arts.
Click here to make a tax deductible donation today.
 

ARTS News
4th Annual Ceramics Invitational

Ceramics takes center stage at Mainframe Studios' 4th Annual Ceramics Invitational on Friday, Dec. 2 from 5 - 8 p.m. The First Friday event features four floors of open studios with local artists exhibiting clay sculpture and pottery, wheel throwing, live music, a group exhibition of flora + fauna and a media-melding exhibition of shadowbox scenes.

Of special note, the Central Academy Pottery program brings young potters to showcase their explorations in ceramics. Sale proceeds support the Central Academy Ceramics program.


Learn more... 

COMMUNITY Spotlight
The Varsity Reopens
 
The Varsity Cinema will reopen on Dec. 15 after a $5 million restoration. The historic theater has been completely refurbished both inside and out and has added a second auditorium, expanded lobby, upgraded concessions with a full bar all while now being full accessible.

The classic musical, Singin' in the Rain, will kick things off followed by Decision to Leave, White Noise, Elf and Lost Cinemas of Des Moines.

Learn more... 
Christkindlemarket

The Christkindlemarket Des Moines is a German-inspired outdoor Christmas market showcasing European-style foods, products and activities. Regional vendors sell hand-crafted wares from traditional wooden stalls surrounded by an abundance of cultural entertainmemt/

The Christkindlemarket is at Principal Park from Dec. 1 through the 4th. Hours and activities vary.

Learn more...

 
CREATIVE Community
Colton Vance

Student and artist at Bondurant-Farrar High School, Colton Vance, has his first art show tonight (Thursday, Dec. 1) from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Bondurant Library.

Vance works with acrylic paint and mixed media to captivate the viewer. Last year he placed #3 in the All State art competition as well as receiving awards from the Nation Scholastic Competition. 

 
Iowa Artist Featured

Collective Arts Brewing featured Iowa based graphic designer Amber Claus' artwork on a limited release beer. The artwork is part of Series #23 Life in the Clouds. 

Collective Arts Brewing is a Canadian base craft brewery that features the work from emerging artists on all of their labels. Their products are distributed in Iowa through Pequod Distributing. 


Learn more....
 
COMMUNITY Opportunities
Artist Applications

The Des Moines Arts Festival® presented by Nationwide is now accepting artist applications for the 2023 Festival. Applications are open for professional artists, the Emerging Iowa Artists program (for Iowa residents currently enrolled in an institution of higher education) and a new emerging artist program that is designed for any individual embarking on a career in the art fair industry.
 
The application process is facilitated online through ZAPPlication® (ZAPP®), a universal online application system that allows artists to submit and manage applications for participating art shows, festivals and fairs. Interested artists can visit this link and search for Des Moines Arts Festival.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 18, 2023 at 8 a.m.


Learn more... 
Interrobang Film Festival Applications
 
The Interrobang Film Festival celebrates the art of film and is presented in concert with the Des Moines Arts Festival. The audience, whether cinema enthusiasts or curious newcomers, can experience curated screenings from films around the globe. The three-day Festival is IMDb-verified and shows an average of 40 films per year. Categories include: feature length narrative, narrative shorts, feature length documentary, documentary shorts, web/tv series pilot, music video, found footage and student shorts.

The Interrobang Film Festival is now accepting submissions on Film Freeway with an early bird deadline of Dec. 31, 2022
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PREMIER SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSOR
OFFICIAL SPONSORS
Des Moines Arts Festival is committed to strengthening a vibrant and creative community. The organization is dedicated to the principles of collaboration and creative expression, inspires engagement with the arts, fosters and celebrates inclusion, values professionalism and quality, and champions new and emerging ideas.
 
Des Moines Arts Festival produces an annual outdoor festival celebrating arts and culture, provides programming and support to artists and arts organizations, advocates for an arts-first leadership model, and inspires individuals to find their creative voice.

The mission of Des Moines Arts Festival is Impact Lives through the Arts.
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Copyright © 2022, DES MOINES ARTS FESTIVAL®, All rights reserved.