The Fact Sheet (all information subject to change)


• LOCATION: Downtown Des Moines, Iowa, on Locust Street and Grand Ave. between 16th Street and 10th Street. The Festival surrounds the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, the Krause Gateway Center designed by acclaimed architect Renzo Piano Workshop, and the Butterfield-designed Downtown Library.
• CONTACT: Stephen King, CFEE, Executive Director
• EMAIL: info@desmoinesartsfestival.org
• TELEPHONE: 515-416-6134
• SALES: Artists retain 100% of their sales and are responsible for state and local taxes.​
• MARKETING: Comprehensive and aggressive regional marketing and media campaign spotlighting artists and their original artwork.
• ARTIST BENEFITS: Many, including cash awards, booth sitters, relaxed load-in, emergency evacuation plan, electricity, “Express Lane” at food and beverage booths, favorable hotel rates, dedicated parking, and more.
• IMAGES: 4 images of work + 1 booth image. Images may not include name of artist or business.
• VIEWED: Projected simultaneously horizontally in the order of application with the booth image being #5.
• JURORS: 5 paid. Includes two (2) invited artists exempt from jurying.
• SCORING: First scoring round is 1-7, no 4. All other rounds are a show of hands.
• JURY/APPLICATION FEE: $45 early application fee Oct 27 – Jan. 13; $55 Jan. 14 - Jan. 18.
• MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS: Multiple applications from a single artist are acceptable if the work submitted constitutes a distinct body of work.
• BOOTH SPACE FEE: $615 for 10’x10’. An additional $170 is charged for a corner booth. Limited number of Double-DEEP booths are available for $1100.
• BOOTH SPACE: 10’x10’ with 1’ buffer all around (2’ between each tent), most with abundant storage close to the booth. A limited number of 10’ (front) x 20’ (deep) interior and corner booths are available. We do not offer 20' wide booth spaces unless the artist is juried to show two bodies of work.
• ELECTRIC: Provided by the festival at no additional charge. Fuel-powered generators not allowed.
• ARTIST PRESENCE: All required (individual and partner(s)/collaborator(s)).
• NUMBER OF ARTISTS INVITED FROM THE JURY POOL: Approx. 181 (we jury spaces with the final number of spaces available being 195).
• NUMBER OF ARTISTS EXEMPT FROM JURY: At least 14 (2025 award winners, commemorative poster artist and deferments)
• CASH AWARDS: $10,500 at press time
• INSURANCE: Upon acceptance of the invitation, artists are required to provide Des Moines Arts Festival with an appropriate Certificate of Insurance, naming Des Moines Arts Festival, Inc. as an additional insured pursuant to a general liability insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $2,000,000. Artists may not set up or exhibit until the approved certificate is received and approved by the Festival office.
• ATTENDANCE: Appx. 150,000+ projected
• FESTIVAL HOURS: Friday, 11a - 10p*; Saturday, 11a - 10p*; Sunday, 11a - 5p. *New for 2026 - artists may close at 9 p.m.
• SECURITY: 24-hour
• ARTIST PARKING: Free/reserved/off-site dedicated.
• STRUCTURE: All exhibiting artists will be required to use a white, professional tent of commercial or professional grade, with heavy weights (minimum of 40 pounds) on each corner with stabilizing maneuvers that provide maximum safety to artists and guests. The use of cheap accordion-style pop-up tents is expressly forbidden. The artist who violates this requirement will not be allowed to exhibit at the show and will not receive a refund.