emerging iowa artists

The Festival features a unique opportunity for visual artists who are Iowa residents and currently enrolled in an institution of higher education. The Emerging Iowa Artist Program presented by Principal offers new artists the opportunity to showcase their talent at one of the nation's most decorated arts festivals.

Congratulations to the following students who were selected by the jury to exhibit at the 2019 Festival:

Kayla Bates, Grand View University, Des Moines, IA

Kelly Devitt-Steenhagen, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Darya Geary, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Mason Howerzyl, Iowa State University, Pella, IA

Wade Judge, University of Northern Iowa, Marshalltown, IA

Sarah Justice, Grand View University, Mitchellville, IA

Anna Segner, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Rachel Trimble, Grand View University, Dubuque, IA

Kelsey Wilson, Savannah College of Art and Design, Nevada, IA

About the program:

Iowa residents currently enrolled in or recently graduated (within one year) from a university, college or art school anywhere in the U.S. are eligible to apply to the Emerging Iowa Artists (EIA) program. This program provides individuals the opportunity to promote their talents and sell their artwork at the Des Moines Arts Festival^®. It also provides opportunities to artists beginning their careers.

Artists can participate in the EIA program for two years (either consecutively or non-consecutively). Because of financial support from Principal, this program is free to qualified artists. There is no charge to submit images for the jury or for booth space once the work is accepted by the jury.

Qualified artists are required to apply to the show in the same manner as professional artists and submit their work in accordance to the specifications. All applicants are required to provide at the time of application proof of residency and enrollment. All work submitted is juried by the same jury. The Festival jury will select the emerging artists separately from the Festival artists. And in June, the Awards Jury will jury all participating artists and award an emerging artist a $1,000 Best of Show Award for the Best Student Artist.

For information on applying to the Festival, click here.

For more information about the program, contact Stephen King.

The Emerging Iowa Artist program is made possible because of the generous financial support from