Features

 

The Des Moines Arts Festival will begin its second decade June 27 - 29, 2008, in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. For ten years, this free, three-day festival of the arts has drawn over 1.5 million people and been crowned by its peers as one of the best festivals in the world!

 

The Festival features 175 talented artists. Their original artwork from 14 categories reflects the very best, having been juried from over 1,400 applicants. The Festival features arts activities ranging from family and adult arts activities to live entertainment. More than 20 eclectic food booths are on-site providing patrons with a variety of culinary delights.

 

The Des Moines Arts Festival is proud of its efforts to showcase the community and the state through programs and activities that reflect the vibrancy of the arts in action. Two programs presented by the festival are the Emerging Iowa Artists (EIA) and Nurturing a Student’s Vision (NSV). 26 Iowa residents attending universities, colleges, and art schools across the nation were selected by the professional artist jury to feature their art at the festival in the EIA program. NSV is a program that allows students in Central Iowa school districts to submit work created through the year for presentation during the festival. Last year over 325 works of art representing over 80 schools were featured.

 

Entertainment is also a memorable feature of the Des Moines Arts festival.  With musical and performing arts performances on three stages, patrons can enjoy more than 50 hours of entertainment.

 

The Des Moines Arts Festival, a non-profit organization, is presented by The Des Moines Register, founded by the Des Moines Art Center and produced by Downtown Events Group.  It is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors. The festival is dedicated to producing a free cultural event.  Festival proceeds benefit the Des Moines Art Center and the continuation of the Des Moines Arts Festival.