For Participating Artists

The information on this page is for PARTICIPATING ARTISTS and is seen in reverse order.

DEC 3, 2011

Welcome to the Des Moines Arts Festival® (DMAF).

The following forms were sent to each invited artist and are to be completed and returned to us postmarked on or before January 13, 2012:

Exhibitor Agreement and Release Form
Iowa Sales Tax Permit Number or Social Security Number. It is the Festival’s policy not to ask for Social Security Numbers on the Artist Application, however, we ask for this information on your Exhibitor Release Form in order to get pre-approval for Iowa Sales Tax. All participating artists must pay sales tax and securing the appropriate paperwork is something we assist you in obtaining prior to the Festival.

Booth Request Form
All artists will select at least a 10x10 booth space.  If you want to request a corner booth space for an additional $100, you may do so on this form.  This form is NOT for booth placement requests or special requests.  Any requests associated with booth placement will be ignored.  That information and request will come at a later date.

This form also asks if you are interested in demonstrating during the Festival.  One of our goals is education.  Artist demonstrations are a hands-on method to educate the buying public and provide additional exposure for you and your booth location.  We give booth location preference to artists that demonstrate.  

About the Festival Site
The site of the Festival  surrounds the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.  Dedicated on Sept. 27, 2009 the $40 million park is home to over 20 pieces of important contemporary sculpture.  The Pappajohn Sculpture Park is located in the thirteen-acre Western Gateway Park, home to the Des Moines Arts Festival^®. The park is located from 13th to 15th Streets between Grand Avenue and Locust Street at the west entrance into the city’s downtown.  The park includes Des Moines’ Central Library, Pappajohn Higher Education Center, Arlington-Hallett Apartments, Temple for Performing Arts, and the new home of Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield Headquarters.  If you would like an aerial view of the site, Google 1400 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA – click on the satellite view.

Artist Booth Space
DMAF offers a 100-square-foot space with additional storage behind the assigned booth area. Artists invited to exhibit in two mediums may purchase a double booth. You are permitted vehicle access for load-in and load-out. All booths are located on concrete/asphalt streets where staking is prohibited by the city.

DMAF is transitioning to a no-accordion style tents.  We strongly discourage the use of any tent that is lightweight or accordion (like the EZ-Up).  We also strongly encourage at minimum 40 lbs of weight on each leg on your tent.  We might have a few sand bags available, however do NOT rely on us to provide you sandbags.  Given the chance that severe weather can hit at any time, you should know that the DMAF staff will not place their lives at risk to secure a tent.  Our experience has been, that in the nastiest of weather conditions a strong tent with strong weights will do just fine; although that is not a guarantee. 

Fees & Taxes
The artist booth fee is $375. Artists accepted in two mediums may order a double booth for $750. A corner booth is an additional $100 paid with separate check or transaction and is due, along with your signed Exhibitor Agreement and Release on or before January 13, 2012. Artists retain 100% of their sales.

Please note:  The DMAF offers a booth payment plan.   For details on this program, contact Stephen at sking@desmoinesartsfestival.org.

Each artist is responsible for the collection and reporting of all applicable taxes. A temporary Iowa Sales Tax Permit form will be included in your Welcome Packet that you will receive upon check-in at the Festival.  These are provided for your convenience and it is your responsibility to submit these to the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance. You do not need to do anything before the Festival to have a sales tax permit. We will notify the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance before your arrival.

Refund Policy
Invited artists who have completed a contractual agreement with the Des Moines Arts Festival^® and have paid their booth fee in full may request a refund in writing on or before March 30, 2012. The request must come in written form by the artist only (no agent, friend, spouse, etc.) and must state the reason for the refund request. If sent electronically, both DMAF and the artist agree an electronic signature is sufficient for verification.  After March 30, 2012 no refunds of any amount will be issued.

Rentals
Any and all rentals must go through our authorized supplier – Classic Events and Tents.  No other tent company or vendor will be permitted on the Festival site.  There will be absolutely no exceptions to this policy.  We will turn away any vendors that are not authorized by the Festival upon their arrival. If you wish to engage Classic, please contact Steve Card at 515.266.3223 or scard@classiceventsandtents.com.  (This is a safety and security measure; the DMAF does not in any way benefit from the rental of tents.  The contractual agreement is between you and Classic.)

Communications
You will receive periodic emails from us with updates. We encourage you to read them so there will be no surprises upon arrival.  Please make note of our mailing address and contact information -

700 Locust Street, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50309
PHONE: 515.286.4950 (general line)
FAX: 515.286.4942
www.desmoinesartsfestival.org
Stephen King, Exec. Director
515.286.4927 (Direct)
515.419.7265 (Cell)
sking@desmoinesartsfestival.org

Check-In Information
Check-in and set-up begins on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at 9 a.m. (closes at 6 p.m.) and continues Friday, June 22, 2012, beginning at 8 a.m. A photo I.D. is required for check-in from every artist—this includes partners. Ours is a leisurely set-up. We do NOT require you to sign-up for an appointed check-in.  All set-up must be completed no later than 10 a.m. on Friday, June 22, 2012, at which time all vehicles must be off the site in preparation for the 11 a.m. opening.

Check-In Procedures
A photo ID is required at check-in from all juried artists, including partners.  Proxy or “helpers” are not permitted to check-in for you or arrive early to set-up your booth in your absence. 

At the time of check-in you will receive the following:

Parking permit
Festival credential(s)
Schedule of events
Site map

Artists may check-in and set-up anytime between the following hours:

Thursday, June 21  9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (set-up ENDS at 6 p.m.)

Friday, June 22  8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

You must be ready and open at 11 a.m.

You must check-in BEFORE setting up. Check-in is quick and easy. To do this, drive through the check-in area located on Grand Ave; just West of 11th Street. Enter onto Grand off 10th street and travel west toward the giant archway.  Follow the signs.  After passing under the archway you will pull off to your left where our Artist Relations Team will greet you.  You don’t even have to get out of your car!!  At check in you will receive your Welcome Packet with information, artist credential, booth sign, maps, parking information, and more.  After you check-in you may proceed to your booth for unloading and set-up.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: all artists must check-in with current photo identification before setting up.  This includes the lead artist as well as the partner listed on the application.  We will not allow exceptions to this rule.  If both artists are not available for check-in you will be turned away and not be permitted to set-up OR exhibit during the weekend of the show.  This is a deliberate violation of one of the most important covenants defined in the application and Artist Agreement.  Absolutely no consideration will be made to refund any associated fees including the application and booth fee or travel expenses.  Do not show up to exhibit if you plan on breaking this rule.

If you would like to map the check-in location, use the following information:

The physical address of Artist Check-In is 1200 Grand Ave.

1100 Grand Ave. is the address of the entrance to the Festival site for Artist Check-in. If using a navigation device, use the following coordinates:

Decimal Degrees -

Lat / 41.586349

Lon / -93.631532

Degrees, Minutes & Seconds -

Lat / N41 35 10

Lon / W93 37 53

GPS -

Lat / N 41 35.181

Lon / W 93 37.892

UTM -

15NX

Y / 4604043

Parking 
Dedicated artist parking is available in the Meredith remote parking located at SW 16th and MLK Blvd.  It is a remote lot.  At the time of this publication we are working on recruiting volunteers to provide a shuttle on Gators back and forth from the lot.  Parking in the downtown is free of charge after 6 p.m. on Friday and all weekend.  However, we do ask that you leave the streets surrounding the Festival open for our guests/your buyers. It is frustrating to receive emails from our guests after the Festival that identify artist vehicles (large box trucks) as taking up nearby spaces.  These are your customers!     

Artist Party & Awards
Friday night after the Festival closes, the staff of the DMAF will host the annual Artist Party and Awards at 10 p.m. on Friday night June 22 in the Jazz & Wine Pavilion on Grand Ave.  Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, pop and water will be served.

Awards Jury
 The Awards Jury will begin at 11 a.m. when the Festival opens to the public.  Jury members will be using an App we developed last year that will allow jury members to see and score in real time as they move through the Festival.  In addition, the App will allow anyone who has downloaded the App to score artists for the People’s Choice Award.

Electricity
Electricity is provided to each artist’s booth at no additional charge. You must bring your own lighting and outdoor-approved extension cords at a minimum length of 50 ft. If you use multiple outlets you will need to provide your own power strip. You must attach the power strip so it is not lying on the ground. The maximum wattage available to each artist booth is 500 watts.

Exhibitor Equipment
Artists are responsible for providing their own booth, equipment and insurance.

Security
The Des Moines Police Department and a private security company will provide 24-hour security, working to assure the highest possible security of the Festival site at all times. We insist you close your booth each night and secure any and all personal belongings during the day and night. The DMAF is not responsible for theft or damage as identified in the Artist Agreement.

Festival Web site
All exhibiting artists will have their No. 1 image featured on the DMAF Online Gallery. In addition, we will link from your image to your Web site address, provided we have your information.

QR Codes!
Every artist with a URL will have a QR code printed on their booth sign.  This code is a direct link to your website.  If you do not have a website registered with us, let us know if there is an alternative link. Otherwise, you will not have one on your sign. (don’t know if you have a URL registered with us? Check the Artist Gallery on our website. If your URL is posted, then it is registered with us.)

Emergency Notification.
Off-hour emergency notification is done by cell phone through an automated emergency notification system.  We will register your cell phone number with our system and should there be an emergency or qualified reason to contact all artists, we will use this system.  The message is, don’t turn off your cell phone during the overnight hours!!

WiFi. The entire Festival site is outfitted with WiFi.

 

HOME HOSTING

The Des Moines Arts Festival^® invites you to our Home Hosting Program.  The Program is designed to assist you with your accommodations while in Des Moines for the annual Des Moines Arts Festival^®.  The Home Hosting Program is in response to your needs to help curb your costs of doing shows.  Residents of Des Moines will open their home and provide accommodations to you free-of-charge.  The program is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

We are pleased to offer the opportunity for you to stay with one of our generous patrons while you are here for the annual Des Moines Arts Festival^®.  The volunteer host families are looking forward to your visit.

The following guidelines are to ensure the program runs smoothly:

 - The Des Moines Arts Festival^® (DMAF) will match local hosts with visiting artists based on their questionnaire. DMAF will never issue a list of hosts and their contact information.

- Once you have been matched with a local host, please be in contact with them immediately and then follow-up as needed prior to your visit.

- Confirm your parking requirements before arriving.

- Do not expect meals unless invited by your host.

- Confirm your length of stay with your host.

The Home Hosting Program is chaired by Barbara Kirk.

 

If you are interested in being hosted locally, please complete and return the HOME HOSTING FORM and return to Barbara.

 

Below is a list of hotels in the area of the festival site. We are currently working with each to provide special rates to Festival artists.  You can always change your reservation should any of these offer a special rate. We will provide special rate information as it becomes available via email. We are also providing information on one local camping facility.

Holiday Inn Downtown at Mercy Campus
1050 6th Ave
Des Moines, IA  50314
515.283.0151 ext 7062
www.dsm-downtown.holiday-inn.com

Des Moines Marriott Downtown
700 Grand Avenue - Six blocks East of the Festival site.
Reservations can be made by calling 515.245.5500.

Embassy Suites on the River
101 East Locust Street – 13 blocks East of the Festival site. Shuttle available. Reservations can be made by calling 515.244.1700.

Hotel Fort Des Moines
1000 Walnut Street - Three blocks East of the Festival site.
Reservations can be made by calling 800.798.2151, 515.244.2151 or online at www.hotelfortdesmoines.com
Please note that this hotel may be closed during the Festival for renovations.

Renaissance Savery Hotel
401 Locust Street – Nine blocks East of the Festival site.
Reservations can be made by calling 800.514.4681. Hotel information is available at www.renaissancesavery.com.

Camping Information
Adventureland Campground (located 15 miles from downtown Des Moines)
305 34th Ave. NW
Altoona, IA 50009
800.532.1286 for reservations

In addition to these downtown hotels and camping alternative are the following two hotels on the city’s south side (5 minutes from downtown) offering a good rate plus amenities. They are nice, clean and offer a number of amenities:

Radisson
6800 Fluer Drive (next door to the Fairmont)
515.285.7777
www.radisson.com

Fairmont (a Marriott Partner)
6880 Fleur Drive (next door to the Radisson)
515.309.4444
www.marriott.com

 

 

Rules (from Artist Prospectus)

Rules
The DMAF considers its enforcement of the rules our exclusive right and responsibility.  Festival officials will visit all displays at intervals throughout the Festival to ensure that exhibitors comply with all Festival rules, including but not limited to checking identification.  Noncompliance can result in expulsion and ineligibility for jurying, awards and participation in future Festivals. If an artist is removed from the show for non-compliance of the rules, no booth fee refunds will be issued or compensation made.   

1. All work exhibited must be original art produced by the exhibiting artist(s).  Work done by a

production studio, “Buy-sell” and/or imports, work from kits, commercial designs, done in classes or workshops, and derivative work is prohibited.  Artists selling work that is not their own will be expelled from the festival.

2. It is the work by the artist that is juried, therefore any change in the body of work by the artist after the jury process accepts the juried work is not considered juried and may not be exhibited until approved by the director of the show.  Please see the description of our New Directions program below.  Absolutely no consideration will be made if the work is of a different discipline.

3. Artists may only exhibit work in the medium in which they are accepted (juried).
 
4. Prints may only be exhibited by artists accepted in the Printmaking medium. Prints must be produced in signed, limited editions, which are hand-pulled by the artist.
 
5. No reproductions are allowed.  If a work exists as a painting, watercolor, drawing, etc. and is copied by digital or photographic means and printed on an offset press, a serigraph press or through a computer by means of an ink jet or electrostatic printer, this would be a reproduction. This includes giclees.
 
6. All artists must be present to exhibit. Booth and display must remain intact during all hours of the show.  If artists apply as partners, each artist must be present.  If each artist is not present, the artist who is present will not be permitted to set-up or exhibit.  No proxy of any kind is permitted.  If artists working as partners are found to apply as a single artist, the artist will be disqualified without a refund regardless of the calendar of stated deadlines.

7. A picture ID is required at artist check-in by all artists, including partners, accepted to exhibit. In addition, the Festival reserves the right to check ID each day of the Festival to ensure the artist is present.  Artists may NOT set-up or have their booth set-up until they have provided proof of their presence.
 
8. Artists may not sell promotional items such as postcards, notecards, calendars, t-shirts or photocopy and/or offset reproductions of any kind.  The sale of non-original promotional items is prohibited.  Artists may display for review portfolio or bound publications.  These may not be sold, but may be given away.
 
9. Artists are responsible for proper insurance and protection of work and setup.  The Des Moines Arts Festival will not be responsible for damage to work or setup due to weather or unrelated incidents.  All artists are encouraged to maintain insurance.
 
10. Only artists accepted in the jewelry category may display and sell jewelry.
 
11. Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting all taxes, including 6% Iowa sales tax.
 
12. All work submitted for jury must be for sale at the time of the jury.

13.  No sharing of booths is allowed regardless of relationship status.