Community Outreach Program

The Des Moines Arts Festival and Co-Sponsor Prairie Meadows team up to present the Prairie Meadows Community Outreach Program. The program takes center stage at the Bank of America Creative Kid's Zone where 24 area non-profit organizations present interactive arts-related activities for kids of all ages to enjoy. Participating organizations and activities include:

Animal Rescue League of Iowa
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is central Iowa's largest animal shelter that never turns away an animal in need. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa's mission is to promote animal welfare, encourage and strengthen the human/animal bond and prevent the overpopulation of pets.
Arts Activity: Creating a 3D paper animal using a variety of materials to educate about different species available for adoption. Also, kids can draw their favorite pet for a mural which will be on display at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.

Blank Park Zoo
The mission of the Blank Park Zoo is to inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education and recreation. The Zoo manages 49 acres of land and cares for over 1,500 animal specimens. Over 70,000 people participate in education programs at the Zoo each year.
Arts Activity: To introduce the new Australian theme, children can make a Wallaby with a pouch, to educate them about Marsupials.

Childvoice International
ChildVoice International is a non-governmental organization with a mission to “restore the voices of children silenced by war.” Childvoice raises awareness about conflict zones around the world where children are being harmed and exploited.
Arts Activity: Creating necklaces by rolling beads from construction paper.

Civic Music Association
The mission of the Civic Music Association is to present, in Des Moines, a series of the highest quality international fine arts performances in a fiscally-responsible manner. Civic Music Association provides a world-class, provocative musical experience in an intimate atmosphere.
Arts Activity: Decorate and assemble a take-home musical instrument (drum, chimes or other percussion instrument).

Des Moines Parks and Recreation
Des Moines Parks and Recreation provides clean, safe and beautiful facilities, parks and open spaces, along with professionally-managed leisure activities for all people.
Arts Activity: Creating various animals through natural objects found in our local Des Moines habitat.

Des Moines Symphony Orchestra and Academy
The mission of the Des Moines Symphony Academy is to provide fun, enriching, comprehensive and interactive music education experiences for students, teachers, and other music lovers.
Arts Activity: Presenting an Instrument Petting Zoo, which will provide a hands-on experience with a Violin, Viola or Cello. Experts will be present to assist with technique and aesthetics.

The DownTown Church
The DownTown Church’s desire is to manifest the love of Jesus in and through this city by building relationships, serving and meeting the needs of people in the Des Moines area.
Arts Activity: Marbles, paint, and some “Rock and Roll” are used to create an intricate picture worthy of any refrigerator gallery.

Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau, Iowa Department of Public Safety
The mission of the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau is to identify traffic safety problems and develop and implement with local and state agencies traffic safety programs designed to reduce death and injury on Iowa's streets and highways.
Arts Activity: Customize your own button.

Greater East Side Development
Greater East Side Development’s goal is to unite leaders of businesses, churches, schools and neighborhoods to make the east side of Des Moines the best it can be.
Arts Activity: Plant a seed in a decorated cup and watch it grow.

Hospice of Central Iowa
Hospice of Central Iowa works to provide quality of life at the end of life through compassionate care for all individuals and their families.
Arts Activity: Create memory books and decorate with favorite memories.

Iowa’s Water & Land Legacy, A Project of The Conservation Campaign
This important non-profit is passionate about protecting clean water, Iowa’s agricultural soils, and outdoor recreational activities, along with working to secure passage of Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy constitutional amendment on the ballot in November 2010.
Arts Activity: A “Clean Water Mural,” which will incorporate kids and free association drawings they connect with “clean water”, “drinking water”, and “nature”. Finished project will be displayed on their website.

Latino Resources, Inc. / Latino Heritage Festival
Latino Resources, Inc. assists Iowa’s Latino community in achieving a quality of life, and standard of living that all Iowans have a right to enjoy. We do this by providing opportunities for education, celebration, and connection within our communities.
Arts Activity: Paper flower making.

Lions Clubs of District 9MC
Lions Clubs of District 9MC empowers volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions Clubs.
Arts Activity: Children’s choice of constructing hand fans, decorating paper eyeglasses, or designing refrigerator magnets.

Living History Farms
Living History Farms tells the changes in Iowa life and agriculture from 1700 to present day.
Arts Activity: Make a farm animal button.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa grants the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions, to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Arts Activity: Constructing a paper fan for decoration.

March of Dimes
The March of Dimes’ goal is to improve the health of all babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
Arts Activity: Creating homemade Get Well Soon cards to give to babies and families who are currently in the NICU at Blank Children’s Hospital or Mercy Medical Center.

Mentor Iowa
Mentor Iowa is a non-profit, volunteer organization that was started in 1974 by citizens of the community, a Juvenile Court Judge, and court personnel, all of whom were concerned about the growing number of children served by the court. Mentor Iowa’s mission is to provide assistance to abused, neglected and delinquent children who are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court Services.
Arts Activity: Decorating Sun Catchers in the shape of flip flops with non-permanent markers.

Metro Arts Alliance
Metro Arts enriches the quality of life in the metro area by connecting people to the arts through programming, communication and support of artists and arts organizations. Their goal is to make the arts accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Arts Activity: Creating tissue butterflies.

Prevent Child Abuse Iowa
Prevent Child Abuse Iowa's fundamental mission is to end child abuse in the entire state of Iowa because we believe that child abuse is preventable. Their primary focus is counseling children and families after abuse has already occurred.
Arts Activity: Abstract pinwheel creations.

The Science Center of Iowa
The Science Center of Iowa is committed to be the highest quality resource inspiring scientific exploration through interactive education, programs and exhibits.
Arts Activity: Interactive creation of hidden message paper and flip-stick optical illusions.

Swing Des Moines
Swing Des Moines is an organization with the educational purpose of promoting and expanding the education and enjoyment of vintage swing dances in the Central Iowa area.
Arts Activity: Experience America’s folk dance by participating in dance lessons, or participating in designing fashion accessories from the 1920’s.

Xochipilli Children’s Center
The center focuses on maintaining and valuing English and Spanish by establishing a strong foundation during early childhood that will be the basis of success throughout the children’s academic careers.
Arts Activity: Teachers and volunteers will teach children how to make butterflies, sun visors, and sculptures out of pipe cleaner.