We are thrilled to announce that we are now accepting art installation applications for Symmetry Festival 2026!
Please review the guidelines below before submitting your application. The deadline to submit your art installation application is July 1st, 2026.
Our theme, "Visions of the Future", invites you to explore the boundless potential of what could be - a dreamscape where technology and nature converge.
Our theme embraces the transformative idea that individuals and collectives are integrally related, forming a symbiotic relationship in which both are equally important and rely on one another, and how small, intentional actions can ripple outward to create monumental change.
We encourage your installation to capture the idea of how individual actions, when woven together, create a tapestry of collective potential that can drive change on a global scale.
The art installation application is for temporary fixtures or builds to be placed on the Symmetry Festival grounds.
If you are a performer, flow artist, or are offering another type of art that is not a physical art piece, please visit our Get Involved page to view other application instead!
Content Requirements
All installations must be the original work of the submitting artist or team, and must not infringe on the intellectual property rights of any other person or entity.
Art must be both weatherproof and stormproof. It must be robust and safe for participants to engage with, not only in intended ways, but in any plausible way. It must not have any hazardous parts, such as unlit guy lines, sharp edges, annealed glass, exposed wiring, etc. Art proposals involving food or beverages may only be submitted by permitted vendors. While our team will do everything we can to maintain a safe environment for festival participants, including reviewing installations for safety, it is ultimately the responsibility of the artist to design, install, and maintain a safe and functional art piece and worksite. This applies from the time the installation materials are brought onsite, to the time they are removed. Any damage caused to art onsite in any way is the sole responsibility of the applying artist.
In order to be considered, proposed art must not have content interpretable as violence, hate, defamation, or culture insensitivity.
It must not be intentionally triggering to participants.
It must not glorify drugs or anything illegal in the state of Iowa.
While the content of proposed art may be subversive, it must also respect all members of our community.
All submitting artists must be 18 years or older.
We reserve the right to deny or remove any art for any reason.
Logistics & Honorarium
Artwork may be assembled onsite up to two weeks prior to the event. Assembly plans, including time and installation method, will be approved by our team in advance. Unless an exception is granted, all art and related materials must be removed by 8pm, Sunday Oct 4th, 2026.
Art pieces may be lashed to appropriately sized trees using approved techniques, anchored in the ground with temporary anchors, sunk up to 3' into 6" auger holes w/o concrete, or secured in any other way that is known to be safe and does not permanently alter the event grounds.
Any exceptions made to any of the above policies will be shared in writing, by email.
While we do honor some honorarium requests, keep in mind that budgets are extremely limited and come on a a first-approval basis. Please request only what your projects requires.
Usage Rights
If your submission is provisionally approved, any part of it may be posted on our website, social media platforms, in emails, etc., or on any other sites of any party associated or affiliated with the festival.
By submitting this application, the artist agrees to the following conditions:
- The artist is solely responsible for the installation and removal of their artwork.
- The artist assumes all financial liability for any damages incurred during installation or removal, and the festival will not be held responsible.
- The installation must not include any open flames or flammable materials.
- No permanent alterations to the building or grounds are permitted.
- The installation process must not pose a risk of injury to the artist or anyone in the area.
- Installations featuring live animals are not permitted.