Community Outreach Program
The Des Moines Arts Festival and MidAmerican Energy Foundation, team up to present the award-winning Community Outreach Program. The program offers 20 nonprofit organizations the opportunity to participate on-site and share their mission and programming with thousands of guests free of charge.
PRESENTED BY:
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“Best Community Outreach Program”
~ International Festivals and Events Association Gold Pinnacle Award
Animal Rescue League
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) serves pets and people across Iowa through adoption, humane education, behavior training, spay/neuter services, and animal rescue programs. The organization is dedicated to protecting animal welfare, strengthening the human-animal bond, and preventing pet overpopulation. ARL envisions a future where all animals are safe, healthy, and loved.
Activity
Unleash your creativity with the Animal Rescue League by making DIY animal masks and fleece cat toys! Participants can color and decorate cat, dog, or bunny masks to wear around the Festival. Guests can also create fleece cat toys that will be donated to cats at the ARL to help support enrichment and playtime for shelter pets.
Blank Park Zoo
Blank Park Zoo’s mission is to inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research, and recreation. Blank Park Zoo is the only zoo that is AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited in the state of Iowa.
Activity
Show your wild side with the Blank Park Zoo by painting an acrylic tile inspired by your favorite thing about the zoo! Finished creations will become part of a special community art showcase titled “What I Love About Blank Park Zoo.
Camp Fire Heart of Iowa
Camp Fire Heart of Iowa provides youth programs that connect young people to the outdoors, their communities, and themselves. Through camps, before- and after-school care, leadership programs, and clubs, the organization creates safe and supportive spaces for youth growth and development. Camp Fire serves more than 1,600 central Iowa youth each year.
Activity
Create something uniquely you with Camp Fire Heart of Iowa by designing your own custom button! Participants can draw original artwork or choose from fun pre-made designs to turn into wearable buttons to take home and show off.
DSM Children's Museum
The Des Moines Children’s Museum promotes early childhood development through hands-on, play-based learning experiences. The museum encourages creativity, problem-solving, and family connection while
making learning fun and accessible for all children and families.
Activity
Get hands-on with creativity at the Des Moines Children’s Museum by making your own “God’s Eye” fiber art! Participants will wrap colorful recycled materials like yarn, fabric strips, and t-shirt yarn around pre-glued sticks to build layered patterns and textures, with volunteers available to assist
throughout the process.
Des Moines Choral Society
With a 45 year tradition in the community, the Des Moines Choral Society is an auditioned volunteer group of singers brought together by a unified passion for excellence in choral music. The choir consists of approximately seventy gifted and accomplished adult singers from throughout Central Iowa and has been
recognized by the Iowa Arts Council for its exceptional concert performances.
Activity
Step into the world of music with the Des Moines Choral Society by exploring your voice through Google Chrome Music Lab! Participants can visualize elements like overtones, spectrum, and timbre, and compare their vocal profiles to those of well-known singers in a fun, interactive experience.
Dorothy's House
Dorothy's House is a safe place for the practice of life for those whose lives have been interrupted by human trafficking, exploitation and prostitution. Dorothy’s House provides a foundation of safety, basic
needs, and access to resources to remove barriers and provide community engagement to allow survivors to find their healing journeys.
Activity
Visit the Dorothy’s House tent to create colorful mosaic art! Guests can choose from pre-made designs such as butterflies, fish, and flowers to create their own artwork by gluing pre-cut pieces of colorful construction paper onto the patterns to form mosaic designs.
Heartland Youth Choir
Heartland Youth Choir, founded in 2003, provides a performance-based program for youth that emphasizes musical literacy and character development through the rehearsal and performance of quality choral literature. Heartland Youth Choir offers a unique opportunity for children of diverse backgrounds with a particular aptitude in vocal music to explore that interest beyond their school setting. Kids are able to start singing with HYC at the age of 4 and can continue all the way through high school.
Activity
Make some noise with Heartland Youth Choir by creating your very own kazoo! Kids can use popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and straws to build a functional kazoo and decorate it however they’d like. Younger participants can join the fun too by decorating a pre-made kazoo that will be ready to go.
Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation
Hoyt Sherman Place preserves and enhances a historic 1877 landmark that serves as a cultural and educational destination in Des Moines. The venue hosts national touring acts, maintains a public art museum, and creates enriching artistic experiences for the community.
Activity
Send a little creativity through the mail with Hoyt Sherman Place! Participants can color and customize their own postcard design, then write a note or message to a friend or family member on the back. An old-fashioned mailbox and stamps will be available so guests can mail their postcard as part of the experience or take it home to send later.
Iowa Bird Rehabilitation
Iowa Bird Rehabilitation is committed to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing wild birds in Iowa. Iowa Bird Rehabilitation strives to provide immediate care for injured, sick, and orphaned birds, ensuring their return to the wild, while educating and engaging the community about the critical need for bird conservation. Established as a non-profit in 2018, Iowa Bird Rehabilitation serves as a vital resource in Central Iowa.
Activity
Spread your creative wings with Iowa Bird Rehabilitation by creating your own fingerprint bird art! Using colorful, water-based ink pads, guests can transform fingerprints into unique bird designs on small wooden disks. Participants can then add details like eyes, wings, and beaks using paint pens to create a personalized ornament or tag to take home.
Iowa Primary Care Association
The Iowa Primary Care Association works to ensure all Iowans have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. Supporting community health centers across the state, Iowa PCA helps provide medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to hundreds of thousands of Iowans each year.
Activity
Paint a little positivity with the Iowa Primary Care Association by designing a meaningful rock using paints and markers. Participants can create a design that reflects gratitude, resilience, kindness, or an encouraging message for someone else to discover. Along the way, facilitators will offer creative prompts focused on healthy self-expression and emotional wellness. Finished rocks can be taken home as a reminder of hope and coping strategies or added to a community exchange display to spread encouragement throughout the Festival.
Iowa Radio Reading Information Service for the Blind (IRIS)
IRIS is a free statewide service that provides 24/7 access to news and information for individuals who cannot read printed materials due to visual, physical, or learning impairments. Volunteers read newspapers and other publications aloud to listeners across Iowa.
Activity
Discover the art of Braille with IRIS by creating your name using paint and Braille outlines! Participants will receive 3x8 cards printed with Braille patterns and can use paint and small brushes to fill in the dots, creating a personalized keepsake to take home.
Iowa Stage Theatre Company
Iowa Stage Theatre Company produces intimate and impactful theatre that inspires, entertains, and strengthens Iowa’s arts community. The organization is committed to storytelling that is truthful, relevant, and artistically engaging.
Activity
Step into the spotlight with Iowa Stage Theatre Company by creating your very own paper puppet! Participants can design and decorate puppets using sequins, yarn, markers, glue, gems, and more. Pre-made examples will be available for inspiration, and staff members will help bring each character to life. Once finished, participants can use their puppets to perform fun quotes from popular
shows.
Living History Farms
Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor museum dedicated to preserving and sharing Midwestern rural heritage. Through educational programming and hands-on experiences, the organization connects
visitors to the stories and traditions of Iowa’s past.
Activity
Celebrate creativity and history with Living History Farms by designing your own “America 250” flag! Participants can decorate a blank flag template with their own unique design, then choose to turn it into a handheld flag on a craft stick or a custom button to wear and take home.
Pulse 101.7FM
Pulse 101.7FM is a positive pop and hip-hop radio station focused on spreading hope, encouragement, and community connection. Through music, DJs, and events, Pulse creates uplifting experiences for listeners in Des Moines and beyond.
Activity
Leave your mark with Pulse 101.7 FM by turning your fingerprints into adorable animal art!
Guests can use ink to stamp their fingerprints onto small cards and transform them into unique animal designs using their imagination. Template ideas will be available for inspiration, but every creation will be one-of-a-kind thanks to each child’s unique fingerprint.
Raising Readers in the Heartland
Raising Readers in the Heartland promotes early childhood literacy by providing free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five in Polk County. The organization believes reading is the foundation for lifelong learning and future success.
Activity
Flutter into creativity with Raising Readers in the Heartland by creating colorful butterfly crafts inspired by Dolly Parton’s signature symbol! Participants can use markers to decorate coffee filters and transform them into butterflies using pipe cleaners or clothespins. Guests can also spray their designs with water to create a beautiful blended watercolor effect.
Repurpose Rising
Repurpose Rising encourages creativity and sustainability by repurposing donated craft supplies into new artistic opportunities. The organization promotes environmental stewardship while ensuring creative
resources are accessible to all members of the community.
Activity
Go on a creative adventure with Repurpose Rising by designing your very own treasure map! Participants can use handmade recycled paper, cut-out shapes, and stamps to create a one-of-a-kind scroll map. Once finished, guests can roll up their treasure map and choose a ribbon from an assortment of scrap ribbons to tie it together and take home.
Science Center of Iowa
The Science Center of Iowa inspires curiosity and lifelong STEM learning through hands-on educational experiences for children, families, and schools. The organization is committed to creating accessible and inclusive opportunities that support innovation and science education across Iowa.
Activity
Shine bright with the Science Center of Iowa by creating your own UV bead bracelet! Participants can design colorful bracelets using special UV beads that magically change color when exposed to sunlight and turn clear again indoors.
St. Vincent de Paul of Des Moines
St. Vincent de Paul of Des Moines helps individuals and families facing economic, emotional, or spiritual hardship through compassionate support and community services. Programs include food and clothing assistance, education, and job training aimed at helping people achieve self-sufficiency.
Activity
Slow down and get creative with St. Vincent de Paul by making your own colorful pipe cleaner snail! Participants can shape pipe cleaners into playful snail designs and finish them off with googly eyes for a fun take-home creation.
Uplifting Puppet Co.
Uplifting Puppet Company uses puppetry and collaborative art experiences to inspire creativity, storytelling, and community connection. Through workshops, performances, and public events, the organization creates welcoming opportunities for people of all ages to engage in the arts.
Activity
Step into a world of imagination with Uplifting Puppet Co. by creating your own wearable fairy wings! Participants of all ages can design colorful wings using paper, fabric, cellophane, and decorative materials to create a unique take-home creation. Festival-goers can also experience live interactive puppetry featuring a 10-foot-tall giant puppet that will dance, move, and engage with guests throughout
the space for a magical, immersive arts experience.
White Eagle 7th Generation Multicultural Powwow
The White Eagle 7th Generation Multicultural Powwow brings communities together through music, dance, food, storytelling, and cultural celebration. The organization promotes friendship, education, and
inclusion while working to create understanding across cultures and generations.
Activity
Learn and create with White Eagle 7th Generation Multicultural Powwow by making your own paper tipi! Participants can assemble and decorate paper tipis while learning about the cultural significance of tipis in Native American traditions. Each take-home creation will also include information and the date for the organization’s upcoming Pow Wow celebration.
2026 Community Outreach Program Information Guide
The Community Outreach Program, presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation, offers twenty non-profit organizations the opportunity to participate on-site at the Des Moines Arts Festival to share their mission with thousands of guests free of charge. To participate, non-profit organizations provide an on-site, interactive, arts-related activity and manage their booth during the Creative Zone's open hours. The non-profit organization is encouraged to display approved signage and distribute information about the organization within the area. Participating nonprofit organizations receive a $250 stipend for art supplies and staffing, thanks to the MidAmerican Energy Foundation.
2026 Timeline
March 24: Applications Open
April 15: Virtual Info Session
May 10: Applications Close
May 19: Selected organizations notified
June 2: Paperwork due from organizations
The Festival will provide:
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One 10’ x 10’ tented space in the festival’s Creative Zone
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A banner displaying your non-profit organization’s name and logo
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Two 8’ skirted tables and two chairs
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Shared on-site storage unit (with padlock)
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$250.00 to be used for the purchase of Festival related art supplies or staffing (received one week post festival)
Non-Profit Organizations will provide:
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An interactive arts-related activity (approved by Festival – we’re happy to brainstorm with you!)
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Staff/Volunteers to manage and run the booth for the duration of Creative Zone hours:
(Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. / Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.).
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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:
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All interactive activities and performances must be pre-approved by the Festival.
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Non-profit organizations are encouraged to solicit memberships and hand out promotional literature and educational materials.
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Raffling or distributing merchandise requires written approval. Please include this information in your application (we’re open to ideas!).
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No merchandise, novelties, food, or drink sales are permitted.
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No tipping is permitted.
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No stickers.
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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.
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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)
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Non-profit organizations are entered into a contract with the Festival and must provide a valid Certificate of Insurance.
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Non-profit organizations and their employees/volunteers must abide by the general rules and policies of the Festival.
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Booths are required to be open and attended to at all times during the following hours; Friday, June 26 & Saturday, June 27: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. / Sunday, June 28: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m, rain or shine. Failure to do so will result in denial of future participation.
PLEASE NOTE BEFORE APPLYING
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Only apply if your organization is capable of providing an on-site activity and staffing at your booth.
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Electricity is not provided in this area of the Festival. Do not submit an activity that requires the use of power.
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If you are selected and subsequently cancel your participation at any time, you will be ineligible for program participation for the next three years. Additionally, your organization will be responsible for any pre-festival costs incurred (e.g., signage printing).
Acceptance notifications will be sent out by or on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026. 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 17, 2026.
For questions and assistance, please contact:
Georgia Catlett
Program Intern
gcatlett@desmoinesartsfestival.org
(515)783-4769
101 Community Outreach Program Virtual info session Are you a non-profit organization interested in participating in the Des Moines Arts Festival’s Community Outreach Program (COP)? Join us for a virtual information session designed to help selected organizations maximize their experience at the festival! Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 12:00 p.m.