Fairs/Festivals
Ankeny Art Center Arts Festival 2026
Contact Information
Ankeny Friends of the Arts DBA Ankeny Art Center
Contact Email: hilarye@ankenyartcenter.com
Contact Phone: 515-965-0940
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 1
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
On May 16th, 2026, the Ankeny Art Center and Uptown Ankeny will host the Ankeny Art Center Arts Festival! The festival will transform several streets of Ankeny's Historic Uptown into a vibrant celebration of creativity and artistic expression. It will feature fine art vendors working in mediums such as painting (acrylic, oil, pastel, etc.), ceramics, woodworking, jewelry, mixed media, metal works, glass, digital, and many others!
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General Information
We will have 50+ artist booths, live music, artist demonstrations, food trucks, and entertainment for adults and children to keep shoppers engaged all day! Awards will be given for Best in Show ($500.00) and Honorable Mention ($200.00) on the day of the festival!
Point of Contact for Event
Hilary E. Kodatt
Executive Director
(515) 965-0940
hilarye@ankenyartcenter.com
Point of Contact for Event
Hilary E. Kodatt
Executive Director
(515) 965-0940
hilarye@ankenyartcenter.com
Application Requirements
The Ankeny Art Center Arts Festival staff and board members will visit all displays at intervals throughout the Festival to ensure that exhibitors comply with all Festival rules. It is our exclusive right and responsibility to remove work that is not in compliance. Repeated noncompliance could result in expulsion and ineligibility for participation in future Festivals.
- All work exhibited must be created and produced by the artist. All two-dimensional work must be framed, matted, or stretched. Original prints of your own artwork are permitted, but should be no more than 1/2 of your inventory.
- Artists may only exhibit work in the category in which they are accepted.
- Ceramic works must be handmade by the artist. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each piece must be signed.
- Artists must be present to exhibit. No spouses or other representatives will be permitted in place of the artist.
- Every artist must show a current ID for check-in before the festival.
- This is an outdoor event, and artists are responsible for holding proper insurance and protection of their work and setup. The Ankeny Art Center Arts Festival will not be responsible for damage to work or setup due to weather or unrelated incidents.
- Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting all taxes.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
70
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
60
Booth Information
- All spaces are approximately 10’ wide by 10’ deep in an open outdoor area. All participating artists must have a tent, tables, chairs, and any other set-up items needed. The Ankeny Arts Festival is an outdoor show; please be prepared in the event of inclement weather. Tents should be properly weighted!
- All exhibits must be completely set up and staffed no later than 9:30 am prior to the event opening to the public at 10:00 am. You may begin set up at 6:00 am (The AAC is in discussion with the City of Ankeny to allow vendors to set up earlier...we will update when the time is confirmed).
- All exhibit structures and debris must be removed in a timely manner after the close of the event at 4:00 pm. Streets will open back up to public traffic starting at 7 pm.
- All artwork must be created by the artist or artists registered and presented at the Ankeny Art Center Arts Festival. Only original artwork will be permitted; no replications except for one print rack or professional display rack.
Single Space-- $100.00
Double Space--$200.00
Refund Policy
Application fees are not refundable.
To cancel your booth reservation reach out to Hilary at hilarye@ankenyartcenter.com
A full refund of booth fees will be issued if canceled by the vendor before April 14th . A 50% booth fee will be refunded if canceled between April 15th--28th. After such time, no booth fees will be refunded.
To cancel your booth reservation reach out to Hilary at hilarye@ankenyartcenter.com
A full refund of booth fees will be issued if canceled by the vendor before April 14th . A 50% booth fee will be refunded if canceled between April 15th--28th. After such time, no booth fees will be refunded.
Additional Fees
Double Booth : $200
Single Booth: $100
Terms to Apply
Application Fee (Non Refundable) : $25
