PRESENTED BY NATIONWIDE
Emerging Iowa Artists
2025 APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED
The Emerging Iowa Artist (EIA) Program presented by Principal® is a juried showcase of promising visual artists that delivers a pathway into the established competitive career within the visual art industry. It aims to foster professional and artistic development while nurturing creative skills.
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The program was launched in 2003 when G. David Hurd, Chairman and CEO of Principal Financial Group (now Principal), envisioned the next generation of artistry and artists. The program has provided opportunity for over 200 pre-professional artists. Some of our past artists include Ben Schuh (painter and muralist), Stephanie Brunia (photography, Iowa Arts Council Fellow), Katie Waugh (photography, sculpture, video). The EIA program is made possible by Principal. Principal is a global financial investment management and insurance company headquartered in Des Moines.
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To qualify for the program, applicants must be Iowa residents currently enrolled in or recently graduated (within one year) from a university, college or art school anywhere in the country. Individuals can participate in the EIA program for two years (either consecutively or non-consecutively) as long as they remain in school and are Iowa residents. Applicants apply to the program the same way, and at the same time, the professional artists apply through ZAPPLICATION. Applicants provide six (6) images of their work for the blind jury to review and make their selections. The on-site exhibition opportunity is limited to five (5) artists. The Festival provides infrastructure through a single 10’ x 50’ tent and pro panel display walls (the artist provides any other equipment). Selected artists are required to attend a learning session at the time it is called before the festival to review best practices, rules, and important information. Additonally, selected artists are required to provide a demonstration of their work product during the festival.
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Because of financial support from Principal, this program is free to qualified artists. There is no charge to submit images for consideration. If you are interested in being considered for the exhibition, contact Stephen King via email at sking@desmoinesartsfestival.org.
PRESENTED BY
2025 Emerging Iowa Artists (EIA) Application Information
Emerging Artist Program
​​The Emerging Artist program is for artists embarking on a career in the art fair industry. Artists must have less than three years of experience exhibiting and selling their work at outdoor/indoor festivals/events that showcase artists. The application procedure for Emerging Artists is the same as that for professional artists. The same rules will apply. Emerging Artists will pay a lower booth fee upon acceptance. Please note that artists may only apply with a single medium per application. Emerging Artists are encouraged to provide a booth image. If you do not have a booth image, you will provide a 6th image of your work. This does not preclude an artist from submitting more than one application. The on-site exhibition opportunity is limited to five (5) emerging artists. Emerging artists provide their own infrastructure, including professional canopy and display walls, as well as any other equipment. Please see the rules for details on acceptable equipment.
2025 Emerging Artists Application Information
2024 Emerging Iowa Artists
Micah Ferin, Johnston, IA
Lisa Ellingworth, Waverly, IA
Carly McCoy, Ankeny, IA
Audrey Stirling, Runnells, IA
Heath Wheeldon, Pleasant Hill, IA
2024 Emerging Artists
Pam Hibbs, Des Moines, IA
Betsy Rudicil, Des Moines, IA
Annette Silkwood, Saint Charles, MO
Robin Whalan, Huston, TX