Awards
Over the years, the Festival has been recognized by a number of associations and trade magazines making it the most celebrated event in Iowa. No awards have been more significant to the emergence of the Des Moines Arts Festival® on the international stage as the Grand Pinnacle Award in 2010 and over 94 Pinnacle Awards by the International Festivals & Events Association over the past six years for marketing, merchandising and programming.
2011 Awards
- Bronze Grand Pinnacle Award reflecting the "best festival in the world" by the International Festivals & Events Association.
- Winner of 19 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festivals & Events Association.
- Named 2011 Best Cultural Event in Des Moines by the Des Moines Business Record.
2010 Awards
- Gold Grand Pinnacle Award reflecting the "best festival in the world" by the International Festivals & Events Association.
- Winner of 21 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festivals & Events Assocoation.
- Inducted into the Hall of Fame by the National Association of Independent Artists.
- Named 2010 Best Cultural Event in Des Moines by the Des Moines Business Record.
- 2010 Top 10 Art Fair & Festival by AmericanStyle Magazine.
- Hometown Hero Award from Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau.
2009 Awards
- Silver Grand Pinnacle Award from the International Festivals & Events Association.
- Winner of 22 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festivals & Events Association.
- Named 2009 Best Cultural Event in Des Moines by the Des Moines Business Record.
- 2009 Top 10 Art Fair & Festival by AmericanStyle Magazine.
2008 Awards
- Winner of 17 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festivals & Events Association.
- Named 2008 Best Cultural Event in Des Moines by the Des Moines Business Record.
- 2008 Top 10 Art Fair & Festival by AmericanStyle Magazine (No. 10).
2007 Awards
- Bronze Grand Pinnacle Award from the International Festivals & Events Association.
- Winner 17 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festival & Events Association.
- Named Best Cultural Attraction of 2007 by Des Moines' Business Record.
- Named one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2007 by The American Bus Association (ABA).
2006 Awards
- Bronze Grand Pinnacle Award from the International Festivals & Events Association.
- Winner of eight Pinnacle Awards from the International Festival & Events Association.
- Ranked 25th among 300 art festivals in artist sales by the 2006 ArtFair SourceBook.
Other Notable Achievements
- Winner of four National Association of Independent Artist (NAIA) Artist Choice Awards.
- Ranked 3rd among 300 art festivals in artist sales by the 2005 ArtFair SourceBook.
- Received the 2004 Tourism and the Arts Award at the annual Iowa Tourism Conference.
- 2004 winner of 11 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festival & Events Association.
- Ranked 4th among 300 art festivals in artist sales by the 2004 ArtFair SourceBook.
- 2003 winner of 11 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festival & Events Association.
- Ranked 5th among 300 art festivals in artist sales by the 2003 ArtFair SourceBook.
- 2002 winner of two Pinnacle Awards from the International Festival & Events Association.
- Named the 2001 Iowa Tourism Event of the Year by the Iowa Division of Tourism.
- Ranked 6th among 300 art festivals in artist sales by the 2002 ArtFair SourceBook.
- Ranked 7th among 300 art festivals in artist sales by the 2001 ArtFair SourceBook.
- Ranked 10th among 300 art festivals in artist sales by the 2000 ArtFair SourceBook.
- Named Best Arts Show by Cityview.
