Community Outreach Program

The Community Outreach Program presented by MidAmerican Energy Company offers twenty non-profit organizations the opportunity to participate on-site at the Des Moines Arts Festival, free of charge, to share their mission with thousands of families visiting the festival. To participate, non-profit organizations provide an on-site interactive arts-related activity and manage their booth during the open hours of the Creative Zone. The non-profit organization is encouraged to display approved signage and distribute organization information within the area.
 

2023 Timeline
March 6: Applications Open
March 30: Community Outreach Program 101, 11:45am-12:15pm, via Zoom (if you're new to the program or would like to learn more - register here.)
April 14: Applications Close
April 28: Selected organizations notified
May 26: Paperwork due from organizations

 

The Festival will provide:

• One 10’ x 10’ tented space in the Festival’s Creative Zone

• A banner displaying your non-profit organization’s name and logo

• Two 8’ skirted tables and two chairs

• Shared on-site storage unit (with padlock)

• MidAmerican Energy Company will provide $250.00 to each of the selected non-profit organizations to assist with Festival art supplies and staffing post festival.

 

Non-Profit Organizations will provide:

• A super-steller interactive arts-related activity (approved by Festival – we’re happy to brainstorm with you!)

• Staff/Volunteers to manage and run the booth for the duration of Creative Zone hours.

• Any costs above the $250.00 associated with the activity and staffing. We encourage you to utilize your volunteers and Board members to host your booth!
   

Exhibiting Regulations:

• Non-profit organizations are encouraged to solicit memberships and hand out promotional literature and educational materials.

• All interactive activities and performances must be pre-approved by the Festival.

• Raffling or distributing merchandise requires written approval. Please include this information in your application (we’re open to ideas!).

• No merchandise, novelties, food/drink sales, or tipping are permitted.

• Non-profit organizations are responsible for maintaining a clean and orderly tent during all festival hours. Any damage done to the tent, table, or chairs will be the responsibility of your non-profit organization.

• Organizations must leave their space the way they found it at the conclusion of the Festival. (Trash and recycling to be disposed in proper bins provided by DMAF in your area)

• Non-profit organizations are entered into a contract with the Festival and must provide a valid Certificate of Insurance.

• Non-profit organizations and their employees/volunteers must abide by the general rules and policies of the Festival - including Covid-19 protocols set by the festival.

• Booths are required to be open and attended at all times during the following hours, rain or shine. Failure to do so will result in denial of future participation.

 

Creative Zone Hours:

Friday, June 23, 11 AM - 7 PM

Saturday, June 24, 11 AM - 7 PM

Sunday, June 25, 11 AM - 5 PM
 

Acceptance notifications will be sent out by or on Friday, April 28, 2023. A program representative will be in touch should we have questions about your activities.

 

Participating organizations will be required to attend a conference call to review load in, set up, engagement during the festival, and tear down, on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.

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For questions and assistance, please contact:

Kelsie Kinne
Festival Program Intern
kkinne@desmoinesartsfestival.org

 

Interactive Activity Ideas

 

When brainstorming activities think of something that is fun for all members, creative, and different from previous years. Activities should be something that can easily be taken home or carried around the festival as soon as it’s completed, uses materials you may already have (for both financial and sustainability reasons), and is engaging for children of all ages (and isn’t too time consuming). The final activity outcome should be easy for both you and families to manage/handle. 

 

Past Participant Activities:

AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport, Inc.

• Activity: Make fleece pet toys for your furry friend or one of ours.

Community Support Advocates, Inc. 

• Activity: Create your own masterpiece necklace from different sizes of metal washers and leather cords.

Greater Des Moines Sister Cities Commission

• Activity: Create a pig corner bookmark through folding colored paper and gluing eyes, ear, and a nose. 

Iowa Music Educators Association

• Activity: Have fun creating your own egg shaker that can be used to keep rhythm. You can also enjoy music and movement activities with the Iowa Music Educators Association. 

Lutheran Services in Iowa

• Activity: Create your own tactile sensory stress ball or your own intention stick.

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

• Activity: Get creative using up-cycled t-shirts to create headbands, bracelets, and necklaces. 

Other Ideas

• Crafts using toilet paper rolls (start collecting now!)

• Recycled plastic flowers (start collecting now!)

• Encyclopedia Flowers

• Popsicle Stick Picture Frames

• Simple Bird Kites

• Google and Pinterest are your friends!