Des Moines Arts Festival Will Open Online Artist Applications for 2020 Event on October 7

DES MOINES, IA  October 1, 2019 – The Des Moines Arts Festival® presented by Nationwide will begin accepting artist applications next Monday, Oct. 7 for the award-winning three-day festival in downtown Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park June 26-28, 2020. An early-bird discount for half off the application fee will available on Oct. 7 and 8 with no coupon code necessary.

The outdoor festival of arts and culture is one of the world’s most respected, hosting 180 of the nation’s top artists in the beautiful urban street setting surrounding the 4.4 acres John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and the newly-constructed Krause Gentle Center designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Eleven-time winner of the coveted Grand Pinnacle Award from the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA), the festival is dedicated to the highest standards of excellence that works tirelessly to maintain a positive environment for artists and their clients to support their mission to Impact Lives Through the Arts.

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 visit this link and follow the instructions from there.

The application deadline for the 2020 event is Jan. 6, 2020.

The jury is scheduled for Feb. 4-6, 2020 in Des Moines (dates subject to change). Applying artists and special guests are invited to a special Jury Preview as well. The 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 with all the details will be sent to all applicants.

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 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. Qualified artists are required to apply in the same manner as professional artists and submit their work in accordance to the specifications. 

For more information on the application process please see the 2020 Artist Prospectus here or contact Des Moines Arts Festival executive director, Stephen King, at sking@desmoinesartsfestival.org.

About the Des Moines Arts Festival^®

The eleven-time Grand Pinnacle Award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival presented by Nationwide will be held June 26-28, 2020. This free annual three-day arts and culture festival is one of the world’s most respected, set in the beautiful urban street setting surrounding the 4.4 acres John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and the newly-constructed Krause Gentle Center designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop.

DMAF 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 workshops and demonstrations, artisan food, and beverages for every taste.  

For more information please visit us online at www.desmoinesartsfestival.org or socialize with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DesMoinesArtsFestival, Twitter at @DMArtsFestival, Instagram at @desmoinesartsfestival, Pinterest at @dmartsfest, on YouTube and on LinkedIn.  #GoWhereItTakesYou #DMAF #DMAF2020 #Nationwide

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Belle Du Chene at 646-712-2196 or email Belle at bduchene@desmoinesartsfestival.org.