ART DSM is the working title for a 4-day contemporary art, music, culture event in Downtown Des Moines the first weekend of April. The event features curated exhibits of international and local artists, live painting, large-scale art installations, art experiences, music and dance performances, and DSM-based food and beverage. Artworks are sponsored by galleries or part of corporate collections like David Safris of Visionary “Urban Visionaries”. Each day would have a theme to attack new audiences and bring back attendees.
April can be a brutally boring month in Des Moines. ART DSM will bring art lovers from across Iowa, and neighboring states and cities to Downtown Des Moines for a vibrant, professional, affordable, contemporary art experience. Attendees will stay at our art-focused hotels and dine at our restaurants. Bring national attention to contemporary art spaces that currently exist in Des Moines like Art Center, sculpture part, botanical gardens, architecture, etc. Increase awareness to Des Moines as a contemporary art hub in the Midwest. International artists with 10’s of thousands of followers being introduced to DSM.
Difference between Art Festivals and Art Fairs – All artists can be curated into Fairs through gallery representatoin while Festivals require artists to represent themselves.
Taking the sales out of the event – This is to be an art experience event vs. an art sales event. Sales events create a sales environment that can distract from the art. Artworks will be listed with artist names and the medium but not the price or gallery representation. A QR code will provide additional information and track the visitor. Download the app and QR for free entry.
Moberg Gallery connections to ensure the 1st event goes well to be repeated and enhanced by new collaborations…similar to the way Moberg Gallery
Background / Inspiration | This idea came to us after our last Vance opening in April 2021. People attended but seemed to prefer an art experience vs. an art sales experience. I shared the idea to Connie Wimer and she recommended that I contact Tiffany Tauscheck at the Partnership as she was interested in proposal to bring people to downtown Des Moines. I, Ryan Mullin ran into Kameron Middlebrooks from the Community Foundation that mentioned grants and services to gauge and test the viability of an event and find NPO partners and sponsorships. Moberg Gallery has participated in and attended art fairs in LA, Chicago, and New York. Ryan has years of experience working as a musician in Downtown Des Moines events.
Event Activities
Curated exhibit spaces (4) | Organized by Exhibit Concepts: Street Art, Women Abstract Expressionists, Photo Realism, Drawings, Landscapes, Photography, Prints, Blue Chip, NFS, Installation (Meow Wolf), Sculpture, Interactive (MWP Feedback Generator), Iowa Educators Show, Americana, Socio-political works, Art in Activism curated by Mitchell Squire.
Live-Painting in Corporate Salons or sponsored areas (4) | Corporations commission an artist to create an artwork to be executed during over the duration of the event. The corporation will have seating for employees and guests to view the live painting. VIP-style with food and drink and works for their corporate collection.
Art Installation & Experiences | Immersive art experiences and infinity rooms created with projectors, sound equipment, inflatables, etc. Created in skywalks leading to venue and in main area. Universities could participate, national groups like the color balloon in downtown. Meow Wolf
Educational Opportunities | Space provided for arts-related organizations and universities. Screen printing workshop/demonstrations from professors of UNI. IAC grant opportunities. Mainframe booth with sign up sheet for studio space. Bravo, Opera, Theater, etc.
Music and performance | Live music and DJs mix with regional arts organizations performances like Jazz sponsored by CJC or Noce, Ballet,
Food and Drink | Des Moines-based vendors, breweries – Des Moines has this covered.
Potential Partners for ART DSM that Moberg Gallery has art connections with: Principal, Merchants Bonding, Hilton, Surety, Sammons, Wells Fargo, Kum & Go, Visionary Services, Wellmark, Nationwide, Ruan, RDG, Federal Home Loan Bank, Athene, Storey Kenworthy, EMC, Neumann Brothers, Graham Construction, Lincoln Savings Bank, HyVee, Prairie Meadows, Waldinger, Vizy Pay, Jeff Bruning (Full Court Press), professors at Drake, UNI, ISU, U of I, etc. Gallery connections in NYC, KC, Minneapolis, Chicago, etc. 100+ artists represented by Moberg Gallery, local and international.
LA Art Fair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcA2B41Wym8