Student Art Exhibition
The Student Art Exhibition (SAE) presented by GreenState Credit Union spotlights the creativity of children in grades K-12 attending schools in Central Iowa through a special exhibition at the Festival. Additionally, the students are recognized at the Visionary Artist Ceremony on Saturday of the Festival and again at a special reception in September.
The Student Art Exhibition is designed to encourage children to pursue their passion for the visual arts, and to recognize student and teacher achievements and artistic talent.
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PRESENTED BY
“Best Educational Program”
~ International Festivals and Events Association Gold Pinnacle Award
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Contact for Questions:​​
Briella Esbeck
Festival Intern
Des Moines Arts Festival®
2026 Documents and Resources
​​​2026 Timeline:
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Now through March 9: Review the Official Guidelines and complete the interest form to receive a reminder email when the submission form opens online.
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March 10: School and Student Artwork Submission Form opens on our website
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April 26: Last day to submit student artwork online
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April 28: Begin artwork drop-off – at the DMAF office located inside Mainframe Studios (900 Keosauqua Way, Studio 455, Des Moines, IA 50309)
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May 22: Final day for artwork drop-off
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June 27: Visionary Artist Ceremony at Des Moines Art Festival
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July 7: Artwork displayed at GreenState Credit Union locations
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​​​Official Guidelines
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Participating schools will be from the Central Iowa region. 
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Each school must complete the electronic School and Student Artwork Information form(located at the bottom of the page) and must be willing to send home with the student artist the Student/Parent Letter. 
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​Artwork must be submitted by the student's art teacher. Artwork submitted by students or parents are not accepted.​
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Each elementary school may submit up to four works that are two-dimensional and no larger than 12" x 18". If artwork is larger than this dimension, it will not be displayed.
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Each secondary school may submit up to four works that are two-dimensional and no larger than 18" x 24". If artwork is larger than this dimension, it will not be displayed.
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Reminder: If a school has more than one art teacher, the school can only submit 4 pieces of artwork in total – NOT 4 pieces from each teacher.
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Only two-dimensional media is acceptable. 
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No stretched canvas. 
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Artwork must be created in the 2025-2026 school year. 
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Do not mount or mat artwork. Staff will mount submitted artwork. 
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Schools must agree to review and honor U.S. copyright law (Title 17) and copyright guidelines provided by the Heartland Area Education Agency.
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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 letter may be emailed to the parent).
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Schools must be willing to prepare Student Artwork to the specifications found in the SAE Official Guidelines.
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Schools must be willing and able to mail Student Artwork or deliver artwork on scheduled dates/times.
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Schools must be agreeable to the Artwork Pick-Up Policy​
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Additional questions may be sent to Briella, DMAF Intern, at besbeck@desmoinesartsfestival.org.
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List of Participating Schools 2026
Ames High School
Ames Middle School
Anderson Elementary
Ankeny Centennial High School
Ashland Ridge Elementary
Ballard East Elementary
Ballard High School
Ballard Middle School
Big Creek Elementary
Bondurant-Farrar High School
Bondurant-Farrar Junior High
Brody Middle School
Brookview Elementary
Carlisle Elementary School
Carlisle Middle School
Central Elementary
Clive Learning Academy
Cornell Elementary
Cowles Montessori
Dallas Center - Grimes Elementary
Dallas Center Grimes High School
Dowling Catholic High School
Eastview
Emerson Elementary
Emerson Hough Elementary
Fust Homeschool
Gilbert High School
Gilbert Intermediate School
Grand View Christian Elementary School
Grand View Christian School
Grant Ragan Elementary
Greenwood Elementary
Hanawalt Elementary School
Hansen Elementary School
Hartford Upper Elementary
Heritage Elementary
Hillside Elementary
Holy Trinity Catholic Church and School
Horizon Elementary
Indianola Middle School
Intermediate School
Interstate 35 Elementary
Irving Elementary
Jackson Elementary​​
Jordan Creek Elementary
Lakewood Elementary School
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary
Lawson Elementary
Madrid Jr./Sr. High School
Morris Elementary School
Noble Oaks Schoolhouse
North Ridge Elementary
Northview Middle School
Norwalk High School
Norwalk Middle School
Oak View School
Ogden High School / Middle School
Orchard Hills Elementary
Oviatt Elementrary School
Parkview Middle School
Pleasant Hill
Pline Homeschool
Prairie Ridge Middle School
Runnells Elementary School
Sacred Heart School
Saydel High School
Shuler Elementary School
St. Augustin Catholic School
St. Joseph Catholic School
St. Theresa Catholic School
Stilwell Junior High School
Sugar Creek Elementary
Summit Middle School
Timber Ridge Elementary
Trailridge
Valley High School
Virtual Campus
Walnut Hills Elementary
West Central Valley Dexter Elementary
West Central Valley Stuart Elementary
West Des Moines Schools HSAP
West Elementary
Whittier Elementary
Woodland Hills Elementary
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School
Wright Elementary
Post Festival Display Locations - available for viewing through september 5
Altoona green state
104 8th Street SE, Altoona, IA 50009
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Anderson Elementary School
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Berg Middle School
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Bondurant-Farrar High School
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Emerson Hough Elementary School
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Fust Homeschool
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Morris Elementary School
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Pleasant Hill Elementary School
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Runnells Elementary School
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Southeast Polk Junior High School
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St. Joseph Catholic School
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Woodrow Wilson Elementary School
2025 Artwork Pick Up Reception
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Date: Tuesday, September 9
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309 (Big Room - First Floor). Free parking is available in the lot under the building and in the lot directly to the south of the building.
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Families and teachers can pick up student artwork (and medallions if you weren't able to attend the Festival) starting at 5:00 p.m.; remarks and raffle drawings at 6:00 p.m. Pick up closes at 7:00 p.m. Artwork not picked up at the reception will be available for pick at the DMAF offices (inside Mainframe Studio, Studio 455) through October 11, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Saturday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Artwork not picked up will be recycled.
2025 Artwork Pick Up​
Artwork not picked up at the September 9th reception will be available for pick at the DMAF offices through October 11th. Artwork not picked up will be recycled.
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Location:
DMAF Office at Mainframe Studios
900 Keosauqua Way, Studio 455, Des Moines, IA 50309
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4th floor Studio #455 (follow the pick up instructions posted outside the office)
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Free parking is available in the lot under the building and in the lot directly to the south of the building.
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Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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contact for questions:​​
Daphne Dickens
Director of Guest Engagement,
Des Moines Arts Festival®
Email: ddickens@desmoinesartsfestival.org
Information for the 2026 Student Art Exhibition will be shared in February.​
