You're Invited! What's Next?
About The Invitational Art Fair
This new event is a curated two-day celebration of professional artists, exceptional artwork, and the people who love collecting it. Central Iowa has no shortage of fall craft shows and maker markets. But there are surprisingly few opportunities during the fall season for professional artists to present and sell their newest work in a setting built specifically around fine art.
You are one of more than 50 professional artists from across a range of mediums who were invited to come together to showcase new, original, and event-specific work. Artists are encouraged to identify work that is premiered at The Invitational. Think of The Invitational as a Gallery opening. New work will be a feature in our marketing and advertising campaign.
The Venue
Built in 1921, Val Air Ballroom (301 Ashworth Rd.) is a historic site in West Des Moines, Iowa. Originally an outdoor dance venue, the space was eventually enclosed to form a venue space for music, school dances, and more.
The Show Producer
The Invitational is produced by ARTSwork, the sister organization of the Des Moines Arts Festival. The same team that brings expertise to the award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival is behind the planning and execution of The Invitational.
The Experience
Friday, November 6 | 6 – 9 p.m.
The weekend begins with an exclusive VIP Showcase created for collectors, patrons, and the artists’ closest clients and friends. Each participating artist will be expected to personally invite members of their network, making the VIP Showcase an intimate first look at the work and the people who created it.
Saturday, November 7 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, the event opens to the public as a ticketed event. Tickets are $5 in advance, and $8 dollars at the door. Live acoustic music and a cash bar will be available throughout the day.
Marketing & Advertising
The Invitational will be supported by a robust marketing and public relations campaign designed to put the event in front of art lovers, collectors, and culture enthusiasts throughout Central Iowa. Additionally, each exhibiting artist will be expected to reach their respective patrons through direct marketing collateral supported by ARTSWork.
Public relations, paid advertising, digital marketing, social media, email communications, and the collective reach of the participating artists will all come together to build an event worthy of the artists and the work they bring to it.
Important Dates
Wednesday, September 16
Participation confirmation, agreement and exhibition space due.
Wednesday, September 23
Public announce date
Friday, November 6 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Artist Load-In
Friday, November 6 | 6 - 9 p.m.
Invitation Only VIP Showcase
Saturday, November 7 | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Public Art Fair
Exhibiting at The Invitational
Artist Planning Guide
COMMUNICATIONS
You will receive periodic emails from us with updates. This information will also be uploaded to this For Exhibiting Artist page. We encourage you to read them so there will be no surprises upon arrival.
Have questions? Contact us at hello@theinvitational.org.
AVAILABLE EXHIBITOR SPACE
To maximize the Val Air Ballroom’s unique layout, 100sf, 80sf, 64sf, 50sf, and 45sf exhibition spaces are available.
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10' x 10' Space Fee: $250 (31 available)
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10’ x 8’ Space Fee: $200 (1 available)
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10’ x 5' Space Fee: $125 (17 available)
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9’ x 5’ Space Fee: $112 (1 available)
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8’ x 8’ Space Fee: $160 (1 available)
All fees may be paid by check or credit card. Service fees apply to credit card use. Checks must be drawn on U.S. funds using a U.S. bank.
Space assignments will be determined by staff. The limited number of corner spaces will be assigned to the Artist Advisory Committee.
Artists retain 100% of their sales.
How do I Pay? After completing your artist acknowledgment and informational form you will be directed to our secure payment processing page.
LOAD-IN INFORMATION
All artists identified on the Artist Information Form are required to attend and exhibit. Proxy or “helpers” are not permitted to exhibit in your absence.
Load-in begins on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 10 a.m. We do NOT require you to sign-up for an appointed check-in. Load-in is through multiple double doors located at the back of Val Air Ballroom. There are no load-in doors at ground level. All of the doors have access to a ramp for carts, or stairs.
All set-up must be completed no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, November 6 at which time staff will sweep the area for lingering challenges in preparation for the 6 p.m. opening.
The physical address of Val Air Ballroom is 301 Ashworth Rd, West Des Moines, IA
ELECTRICITY
Electricity is provided at no additional charge. You must bring your own lighting and extension cords. If you require multiple outlets, you must provide your own power strip to be used inside your assigned space. You will have one point of connection for power. All receptacles supplying power at the festival are GFCI by electrical code. Please be sure to test electrical equipment in a GFCI receptacle before arriving. The maximum wattage provided to each artist space is 500 watts.
INSURANCE
All artists exhibiting in the festival are required to provide a Certificate of Insurance naming ARTSwork, Inc. at address 900 Keo Way, Studio 455, Des Moines IA 50309 (or P.O. Box 1434, Des Moines, IA 50305) as an additional insured pursuant to a general liability insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $1,000,000. This proof and certificate are due in our office before November 1. This policy must cover November 6 and 7, 2026. Please note that artists will not be permitted on-site or to exhibit without this certificate. There will not be any exceptions.
Please note that the certificate MUST include the information as provided, not a variation of the information provided. Failure to meet this threshold will result in the certificate being sent back for correction.
Should this coverage not be available with your current carrier, there are inexpensive options available including Kaliff Insurance and ACT insurance, which can be purchased through our portal.
Questions? Contact sage@desmoinesartsfestival.org.
EXHIBITOR EQUIPMENT
Artists are responsible for providing their own space walls. Tent skeleton structures are permitted. We suggest adding walls, Pro Panels, or pipe and drape.
Because this is an indoor show, artists are asked not to assemble a roof. However, using a tent structure is permitted, along with walls and other exhibitor space decor.
Artists should consider lighting for their space. Overhead lights in Val Air Ballroom will be dimmed for the event, making gallery-type lighting most effective.
TAXES
All artists are required to apply for an Iowa Tax Permit individually. The application is free and can be accessed on the following page: https://tax.iowa.gov/iowa-sales-and-use-tax-guide#
SECURITY
Val Air Ballroom provides security during the fair. The facility will be locked overnight with no additional access.
MARKETING ON OUR WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA
PLEASE HELP US TO HELP YOU! All exhibiting artists will be featured on our Online Gallery. The gallery includes an image of your work, website URL, and email.
In addition to the website, we have an aggressive social media campaign. On the attached Artist Information Form, we request any social media links you have so that we may push these out to our audience. If you have not “Liked” our social media pages, do so now so you and your work will be featured. Do not miss out on this opportunity for FREE publicity!
ARTIST SIGNAGE AND QR CODES
Every artist with a URL will have a QR code printed on their sign this is displayed within their exhibition space. This code is a direct link to your website. If you do not have a website registered with us, your QR code will link to your gallery page on our website.
The Invitational Rules
ARTSwork, Inc. is responsible for enforcing these rules and has the exclusive right and authority to determine whether an exhibitor is in compliance. Event officials will visit exhibitor spaces throughout the event to monitor compliance.
By signing the Artist Agreement, you acknowledge and agree to these requirements. Failure to comply may result in removal from the event and may affect eligibility for future participation. If an artist is removed for noncompliance, the exhibitor space fee will not be refunded, and no other compensation will be provided.
Original Work
1. All work exhibited must be original art produced by the exhibiting artist(s) and offered for sale. Work produced by a production studio, created in classes or workshops, “buy-sell” merchandise, imports, work from kits, commercial designs, and derivative work are not permitted. Artists may not exhibit or sell work created by someone else.
Reproductions
2. Limited reproductions are permitted, provided they represent no more than 20% of the display. Reproductions must be confined to a single bin and may not be displayed on walls. They must be clearly identified to patrons as reproductions (not a “print”) of original artwork. The sale of non-original promotional items is not permitted.
Artist Presence
3. All invited artists must be present to exhibit. For artist partnerships, each participating artist must be present. If a participating artist is absent, the remaining artist(s) will not be permitted to exhibit. No proxy or substitute exhibitor is permitted.
Exhibitor Space
4. Exhibitor spaces must remain intact during all hours of the event.
Insurance and Protection of Work
5. Artists are responsible for maintaining appropriate insurance and for protecting their artwork, equipment, and exhibit set-up. ARTSwork, Inc. is not responsible for loss or damage to artwork, equipment, and exhibit set-up. Proof of insurance must be provided to ARTSwork before load-in and exhibition.
Taxes
6. Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting all applicable taxes, including Iowa sales tax.
Shared Exhibitor Space
7. Sharing an exhibitor space is permitted only with prior written approval from ARTSwork.
Consideration of Other Exhibitors
8. Artists must respect neighboring exhibitors and maintain a professional environment. The use of amplified sound (radio, amps, etc.) is not permitted. Smoking in or around exhibitor spaces is not permitted. Chairs and other personal items may not obstruct crowd flow.
Thank you for reading the Artist Planning Guide. Please refer back to Guide throughout your participation.
We hope you'll be part of the inaugural Invitational Art Fair. Ready to join us?
Confirm your participation by submitting the Artist Agreement and Informational Form. You will be redirected to the exhibition space payment page upon completion.
Deadline to accept is Wednesday, September 16, 2026
If you are unable to accept this invitation, please let us know as soon as possible.