Resources

Art Organizations & Associations

News

ART BEACON ​DIGITAL ARTIST RESIDENCY
Artists with a connection to the Midwest are invited to participate in a two-week digital artist residency on the Art Beacon Instagram profile @artbeacondsm.

IOWA PUBLIC RADIO’S, Jacqueline Halbloom highlights the efforts and activities of non-profit arts and culture organizations throughout Iowa through short interviews. She focuses on performing arts organizations, festivals, visual arts organizations, and other cultural centers. Iowa Arts Showcase shines a light on the contributions of arts organizations to Iowa communities.

900VIEWS, is an exploration of arts and community with Host Pat Boddy. Based out of Mainframe Studios in downtown Des Moines, 900Views provides a platform for glimpsing the creative work and lives of the Midwest’s cultural producers and influencers.

Creative Communities

RIVERVIEW ARTIST SALON  is a grass roots, volunteer based and member driven community of full-time, part-time, emerging and returning Iowa creatives from all disciplines.  It’s mission is to elevate the status of creatives within our city and state and provide a center for public engagement, networking, new ideas, personal development and artistic growth.

MAINFRAME STUDIOS is a new nonprofit model for providing permanent affordable workspace for artists of all disciplines. Phase 1 features 65 artists studios, 5 nonprofit offices, event rental venue, commercial kitchen and common areas.

THE FITCH BUILDING is the oldest continuing studio home for artists in Des Moines, Iowa. Built in 1917 as the manufacturing plant for the FW Fitch Co., it has also housed a janitorial services warehouse. Since the early 1990s, the upper floors have been studios for artists and independent small businesses. Many of Des Moines’ most prominent artists have had studios in the Fitch at some point in their careers.

THE BARNUM FACTORY,  a place for makers, musicians, small business owners, and entrepreneurs to set up shop, collaborate, and curate a community. The Barnum Factory has studio, office, warehouse, and gathering space for rent with flexible and creative lease terms.

IOWA ARTISTS mission is to promote and educate artists throughout the state. From painting groups to art shows and workshops, there is an opportunity for you to expand and enhance your art. Each of us has a unique creative spirit and by networking together our work will continue to grow and flourish as all things do in the Iowa heartland!

Galleries and Museums

DES MOINES ART CENTER The not-for-profit Des Moines Art Center engages diverse local and international audiences with the art of today through its museum and school, adding to the cultural record through collections and programs.

MOBERG GALLERY is a fine art gallery that specializes in contemporary art from over 50 professional artists from Iowa and across the nation. For over a decade, Moberg Gallery has contributed to the changing visual art culture of the Midwest and beyond by hosting more than 100 solo and group shows exhibiting a variety of the highest quality artworks.

OLSON LARSEN GALLERY, is a contemporary gallery representing over 60 of the finest artists in the Midwest. Located in Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines, Iowa, Olson-Larsen fulfills its commitment to original art through exhibitions and support services for clients ranging from individuals to corporations.

URBANDALE ART GALLERY a collaborative partnership between the Urbandale Public Library, the Urbandale Public Art Committee and UCAN.

Music Venues

xBk is located at 1159 24th Street in the Dogtown/Drake neighborhood of Des Moines. It is a newly renovated state of the art, 250 capacity small performing arts venue dedicated to musicians, performers, and artists that strive to present adventurous and engaging work.

NOCE is the premier home for jazz & cabaret in Des Moines, Iowa, hosting acts both local & national & featuring a world-class cocktail bar.

WOOLY’S is located in the Historic East Village. Their venue capacity ranges from 100 to 700 people. They have high-quality sound as well as booths, tables and chairs for events. A bar is located on the right side of the venue as you come in the building. They have local and national music acts come through all year long.

LEFTY’S  is a 350 capacity concert hall and full service bar in Des Moines Iowa.  Their business model is focused on quality entertainment, quality sound and quality atmosphere where all genres are welcome. A space that can accommodate everything from large touring bands to garage bands, Lefty’s was born from the old adage “if you want something done right, do it yourself.” Des Moines is home to a diverse and talented music culture and a sound centric venue is necessary for its continued growth.

Resources and Support

IOWA ARTS COUNCIL empowers Iowa to build and sustain culturally vibrant communities by cultivating creativity, learning and participation in the arts.

Established in 1967, the Iowa Arts Council serves as Iowa’s state arts agency and works in collaboration with its federal agency partner, the National Endowment for the Arts, and regional arts partner, Arts Midwest, to build the capacity of Iowa’s arts ecosystem. The Iowa Arts Council strives to create opportunities for the arts to flourish in Iowa by nurturing cultural leadership and investing in projects that provide access to arts experiences in communities and public spaces throughout Iowa.

ARTS MIDWEST promotes creativity, nurtures cultural leadership, and engages people in meaningful arts experiences, bringing vitality to Midwest communities and enriching people’s lives.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS is an independent federal agency that funds, promotes, and strengthens the creative capacity of our communities by providing all Americans with diverse opportunities for arts participation.