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Giving Thanks on Giving Tuesday
On this Giving Tuesday, we want to take a moment to say thank you to all of the businesses, organizations and individuals who have supported us throughout this year. Their contribution to the arts has positively impacted our community and strengthened the fabric of our creative economy.
Scroll down to learn more about how these partners supported the arts this year. Want to give to the arts? Click here to make a donation today! Thank you!
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Visual Artists
The process to be an artist at the Des Moines Arts Festival® is rigorous and competitive, but its through this process that brings the very best artists to the streets of downtown Des Moines each June.
This year our organization added Wine & Clay which offered our community an opportunity to support local artists working in ceramics, wood, metal, glass and more.
Thank you to the hundreds of artists who've worked with us this year, and special thanks to our partners Nationwide, Principal, Silent Rivers Design + Build and Prairie Meadows for supporting the artists this year.
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Performing Arts
While most people associate our organization with visual artists, its the performing arts contribute significantly to elevate the experience at our events and programs.
This year, the Des Moines Arts Festival featured an explosive variety of live music and performing arts on two stages, as well as pop-up performances across the site. We also welcomed performing artists to events like REVEAL and Wine & Clay.
Thank you to the dozens of performing artists who worked with us this year and to Bravo Greater Des Moines, Hy-Vee and Meet in Iowa, for supporting our performing arts programming.
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Equity in the Arts
One of our core values is to foster and celebrate the involvement of all people. We're advancing this value through programs like A Seat at the Table and by conducting outreach to expand opportunities to all individuals across the community.
Thank you to all of the partners who participated this year in A Seat at the Table and worked with us to expand our network across the community.
A special thanks to Kate Highshoe for facilitating the conversations and to our panelists, Cadex Herrera, Emmett Philiips, Jill Wells, Seso Marentes, Michael Nunez, Carole Alden, Brett Gonzalez, Wendy Jason, and Kelly Montijo Fink.
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MicroGrants
This year we launched our first MicroGrant Dinner. Through this event, five artists pitched their projects to our guests. After all five presentations, the guests voted on their favorite idea, and the winning artist took home the ticket proceeds as a micro-grant to complete their project.
The opportunity was open to artists of all mediums - dancers, musicians, graphic novel designers, muralists, painters and more.
Thank you to West End Architectural Salvage, Gateway Market, the outstanding artists who pitched their projects and to the numerous guests who supported the inaugural event.
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Non-Profit Partners
We work with numerous non-profit organizations throughout the year on Festival programs such as the Community Outreach Program, Beverage Stations, Green Arts and more. The production of these programs is dependent on these non-profit partners and we work closely with them to maximize the benefits for their work.
Thank you MidAmerican Energy Company, Dotdash Meredith and to the 25 non-profit partners who have supported us this year.
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Volunteers
This year, the Festival and the subsidiary events were supported by over 400 volunteers dedicating 2,000 hours. Without their tireless work, none of the work we do would be possible.
Thank you Polk County Board of Supervisors, and Natural Grocers for supporting the volunteers this year, and thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who make it all happen. We appreciate YOU!
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Youth Arts
Spotlighting the creativity of children in grads K - 12 is one of the things we are most proud of. The Student Art Exhibition encourages children to pursue their passion for the visual arts and recognizes student and teacher achievements.
Recently we've been working on a new program that will inspire and educate more students to pursue their artistic interests by connecting their classrooms with professional artists.
Thank you GreenState Credit Union and the Iowa Arts Council for supporting youth arts this year.
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Event Management Team
The Event Management Team is a dedicated team of over 50 volunteer leaders who assist in the planning, production and management of the annual Festival. It is their knowledge, skills, kind spirits and profound cheer that makes the Des Moines Arts Festival a leader in the Festival industry.
Thank you to the Event Management Team for the endless hours and countless steps you give to the Des Moines Arts Festival each year.
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