student art exhibition

PLEASE NOTE: The information has been updated as a result of school closures.

TEACHERS & PARENTS: We will be sending out exhibit information mid June. Thank you for your patience!

Hubbell Homes, Des Moines Art Center and Des Moines Arts Festival® are proud to host the Student Art Exhibition (SAE). The SAE is a program that spotlights the creativity of children K-12 attending schools in central Iowa. Under the current pandemic challenges, the program looks a little different this year.

Students’ artistic achievements will be on display at the Des Moines Central Library as soon as it reopens. Students will be celebrated at the Visionary Artist Ceremony to take place at date to be announced.

Each student will be rewarded a Medallion and Des Moines Art Center Household Membership. In addition, participating teachers each receive a household membership to the Art Center and a chance to win one-of-five $250 awards in art supplies.

To participate in the Student Art Exhibition, area teachers must review the Official Guidelines below and then complete the School and Student Artwork Information Form. All selected student artwork must be mailed to the Des Moines Art Center or dropped off at the Greater Des Moines Partnership at scheduled dates/times.

UPDATE: soft deadline is Friday, May 1st. We encourage teachers to fill out their information on the form to give us an idea of the number of participating schools. All student information/artwork will be due Friday, May 22.

• Participating schools will be from the Central Iowa region.
• Each school must submit a School and Student Artwork information Form.
• Each elementary school may submit up to four works that are two-dimensional and no larger than 12" x 18".
• Each secondary school may submit up to four works that are two dimensional and no larger than 18" x 24".
• Only two-dimensional media is acceptable.
• No stretched canvas.
• Artwork must be created in the 2019-2020 school year.
• Do not mount or mat artwork. Staff will mount submitted artwork.
• Schools must agree to review and honor U.S. copyright law (Title 17) and copyright guidelines provided by the Heartland Area Education Agency.
• Schools must be willing and able to print and send the Student/Parent Letter home with each student selected to participate in SAE. (Alternatively, the Form may be emailed to the parent)
• Schools must be willing to prepare Student Artwork to the specifications below.
• Schools must be willing and able to mail Student Artwork to the Des Moines Art Center, April 27-May 22 or deliver artwork to the Greater Des Moines Partnership on scheduled dates/times. See details below.
• Schools must be agreeable to the Artwork Pick-Up Policy identified below.

• IMPORTANT: Students will be required to SIGN for artwork taken from the Library.
• Pick-up artwork immediately following the Student Art Exhibition Reception on September 2, 2020, at 6 p.m. or from the Des Moines Art Center September 3 – October 17, 2020. The reception will be held at the Central Library, 1000 Grand Avenue, Downtown Des Moines.
• Artwork will NOT be sent to schools or students.
• Artwork not picked up at the Central Library will be taken to the Des Moines Art Center (address above) and can be picked up at the Education Entrance, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning September 3. For questions regarding pick-up, contact the Art Center Education Desk at 515-271-0316.
• Please make arrangements to pick-up the artwork by October 17, 2020. After this date, artwork will be disposed of.

Please direct questions to:

Daphne Dickens, Production & Program Manager
Des Moines Arts Festival^®
E-mail: ddickens@desmoinesartsfestival.org