Des Moines Arts Festival® Opens Artist Applications for the 2016 Event

The Des Moines Arts Festival® begins accepting artist applications on Friday, Oct. 2 for the award-winning three-day festival to be held June 24-26, 2016 in Downtown Des Moines’ (DSM's) Western Gateway Park. The Festival is offering a 50 percent discount off the application fee if artists apply within the first 24 hours and use the coupon code “EarlyBird2016.”

The outdoor Festival of arts and culture attracts more than 200,000 people each year to Downtown DSM. The Festival is dedicated to the highest standards and works diligently to maintain a positive environment for artists and their clients.

The application process is facilitated completely online through ZAPPlication® (ZAPP®), a universal online application system that allows artists to submit and manage applications for participating art shows, festivals and fairs via the Internet. Interested artists can apply by visiting zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=4359 or visit the Festival’s website at desmoinesartsfestival.org and click on Visual.

The jury is scheduled for January 6-8, 2016. The location for the projection jury will be 700 Locust Street, Suite 100 in Downtown DSM. Applying artists are invited to view the first night of the jury process on Wednesday, January 6 beginning at 5:30 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. Approximately 165 spaces will be available via the jury process. An additional ten (10) booth spaces are reserved for 2015 award winners and up to five (5) spaces are reserved for special invitations.

The Festival also encourages Iowan residents who are currently enrolled in an institution of higher education anywhere in the country to apply for the Emerging Iowa Artist program (EIA). The EIA program, sponsored by The Principal Financial Group, provides for residents to apply, free-of-charge, and have their work juried by the same professional jury that views and selects the professional visual artists. If selected, emerging artists are offered the opportunity to showcase their talents at one of the nation’s most decorated arts festivals. Qualified artists are required to apply in the same manner as professional artists and submit their work in accordance to the specifications. Complete information may be found on the Festival’s website at desmoinesartsfestival.org/eia.

The application deadline for the 2016 event is December 6.

For more information on the application process please visit desmoinesartsfestival.org/how-to-apply or contact Des Moines Arts Festival executive director, Stephen King at sking@desmoinesartsfestival.org.

Des Moines Arts Festival®

The Gold Grand Pinnacle Award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival® is a free annual three-day arts and culture Festival the last weekend in June. The Festival invites you to ‘go where it takes you...’ by engaging with 180 invited professional visual artists, emerging Iowa artists, the cutting-edge Interrobang Film Festival, live music, performing arts, interactive arts activities, award-winning community outreach programs, live artist demonstrations, artisan food, and beverages for every taste. For more information please visit us online at desmoinesartsfestival.org or socialize with us on Facebook at facebook.com/DesMoinesArtsFestival, twitter at @DMArtsFestival and Instagram at desmoinesartsfestival. #GoWhereItTakesYou #DMAF2016