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Des Moines Arts Festival® presented by Nationwide

booth selection

​​GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT the Festival Site

The Des Moines Arts Festival site surrounds the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Dedicated on September 27, 2009 the $40 million park is home to over 20 important contemporary sculptures. The Pappajohn Sculpture Park is located in the thirteen-acre Western Gateway Park, home to the Festival. The park is located from 10th to 17th Streets between Grand Avenue and Locust Street at the west entrance into the city’s downtown urban core. The park includes various small businesses, restaurants, Des Moines’ Central Library, Pappajohn Higher Education Center, Arlington-Hallett Apartments, Temple for Performing Arts, dotdash Meredith, Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield, the Renzo Piano Workshop-designed corporate headquarters for Krause Group, and Nationwide, our presenting sponsor. If you would like an aerial view of the site, Google 1400 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA – click on the satellite view.

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BOOTH PREFERENCE OPPORTUNITY

Please read all of the information and instructions. There is no prize for being first!

We provide artists the opportunity to share with us a preference for booth location at the festival. Please read the notes and instructions below:

  • The SITE MAP identifies artist booth locations. (if using the site map, we do not recommend viewing on a phone. the file is large and will take time to load.) They are the YELLOW boxes along the North and South curbs of Grand Ave. (to the North) and Locust Str. (on the South) in the ORANGE identifying rectangular boxes. You can zoom in on the map by using the “+” or if using a PC, press down the Control Key and scroll up using your mouse. If on a MAC, press down the COMMAND key and the “+” key. 

  • To see an aerial view of the site, follow this LINK to Google Earth.

  • All booths on Locust St. (North and South) MUST be against the curb – no exceptions.

  • Slight adjustments will be made once we are on the street in June because of unforeseen circumstances that do not exist today. 

  • For those who have participated in the past:

    • “Same as last year” is not an option and will place you at the back of the line 😉

    • The map (and booth numbers) have changed since last year.

  • Identifying a first choice does not guarantee placement, nor does being the first person to submit the form. Please also note that we may use discretion to place you in the same general area as your preferred booth placement.

  • We provide courtesy to artists who have been in the same spot for years and prefer to remain there. 

  • Use the Dropdown menu on the Form to select your top three choices. 

  • Use the "Other Considerations" text box to share information like "place me next to my partner, [insert name]" "I exhibit encaustics," “I need to be facing North,” “same general area,” "DSM is awesome" 

  • If you ask to be placed next to someone for whatever reason, please be sure they enter the same information. We will NOT honor a request to be placed next to someone if the named person does not also make the request. We will not contact that person to ask.

  • Select corner booths ONLY if you have already paid for a corner. And again, not everyone who requests/paid for a corner will receive them because there is not enough inventory.

  • Double-Deep booths are located GN28C – GN43C.

  • All booths accommodate storage behind the assigned booth area. Some booths provide more storage than others. There is two feet (2’) between each interior booth. This space is to provide airflow and is NOT to be used for storage or exhibit space (unless you have received expressed permission by your neighbor) If you are looking for ample storage behind your booth, select booths GN1C – GN25, GN45-GN48, GN52-GN60C. 

  • You are permitted vehicle access for load-in and load-out. 

  • All booths are located on concrete/asphalt streets. 

  • Staking is strictly prohibited by the city. 

  • The deadline to submit choices is Sunday, April 13. Booth assignments will be posted on or before April 25 on your Gallery Profile and on the Artist Planning Guide Page.

 
Our booth numbers make sense once you know the formula. Booth Legend:
L = Locust Street
G = Grand Ave.
N = North
S = South
C = Corner
So, LN32C is Locust Street North corner number 32. 

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Ready to go? Have you read all of the information? Perfect, click HERE for the Booth Preference Form. Patience; it may take a few seconds as you are redirected to a new site URL.

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Go back to Artist Planning Guide.

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