Clone of Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists Application

WORK OF ART: Business Skills for Artists // Program Summary

Mainframe Studios is excited to bring back our 12-week professional development program for Fall 2026.

"Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists" is a professional development program for emerging and mid-career artists in the Des Moines metro area and hosted by Mainframe Studios. The program, based on the model by Springboard for the Arts, includes 12 in-person sessions led by 5 co-facilitators.

The goal is to equip 20-25 artists with entrepreneurial skills, career empowerment, and the ability to make a positive impact in their communities. Topics covered include career planning, artist statements, pricing, promotions, budgeting and recordkeeping, grant writing, public speaking, and more.

Why Apply:
- Creating often happens alone, but getting your work out there and achieving your goals happens faster with help from others. Join us!
- Investing in your development as a creative professional shows you are committed.
- Making weekly intentional progress accelerates your artistic practice and career.
- Giving yourself dedicated time to prepare materials and get feedback from others helps you be ready for new opportunities.
- Working among others with similar goals builds your network of mentors and peers that you can rely on beyond this program.
Please click here to read the full program guide and read over key points below before advancing to the application.
Eligibility:

Eligible Applicants must be:
- An individual artist, including visual/performing artist, musician, or creative writer.
- 18 years of age or older.
- Live and work in Greater Des Moines (or within a 45 mile range of Des Moines) and be able to be physically present for sessions. We unfortunately will not be able to offer online or hybrid sessions.
For individuals with disabilities:

We can arrange for support services with the application. Please reach out to artistsupport@mainframestudios.org at least 3 weeks prior to the deadline for assistance. We believe that arts experiences should be accessible to everyone. All accepted applicants will be contacted about their accessibility needs for the program sessions (e.g ASL translator, support person, captions, braille, etc.).

Expectations:

Being a creative entrepreneur requires hard work and commitment. Accepted participants are expected to show up and do the work. This includes attending sessions, doing homework, participating in workshop activities, and supporting others in their learning.

Work of Art fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to share, listen actively, and make valuable contributions. Participants are expected to prioritize care, respect, curiosity, and continuous learning. Participants will collectively work to ensure that all voices are heard and valued.
Program Timeline & Details:
- Monday, April 27, 2026: Applications open
- Friday, June 26, 2026: Applications due
- Friday, July 17, 2026: Applicants/Participants notified by email
The 12-week artist program sessions will occur on Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm-8:30pm from September 2-November 18, 2026, in The Big Room at Mainframe Studios.

Cost:

It's free to apply. Accepted participants pay $150 total for the 12-week program. (That's $12.50 per week - a minimal investment in your development that helps contribute to the cost of materials and weekly support). To reduce financial barriers, a limited number of scholarships are available.

Facilitators:

This program is for artists and by artists. Here are the 5 committed co-facilitators and small group leaders:
- Amee Ellis // Photographer-Work of Art Program Coordinator
- Rachel Gulick // Multimedia Artist-Producer-Community Activator-Musician
- Tiffany Johnson // Storyteller-Cultural Strategist-Community Builder
- Diane Kunzler // Painter-Arts Educator
- Kaleb Stevens // Cultural Producer-Community Developer-Musician
Application Process: To apply, you will need the following info:
- Contact Info
- Website and social media handles, if available
- 1-2 page resume that includes arts related activities and accomplishments (Please share what you have. This is meant to help co-facilitators understand where you are in your career and how they can help meet you where you are and move you forward).
- 3-5 examples of your work with descriptions (images, audio, and video file formats are available for upload with 10MB limits each)
- Brief answers to the following questions to better understand your art practice and goals:
  - Briefly describe your art practice and tell us what you make and why. (50-150 words)
  - What are your creative business goals? What would you like to accomplish in the next year, 5 years, or beyond? (50-150 words)
  - What would you like to learn from this program and why do you want to participate? Please identify any specific areas or needs that you’d like to address to help meet your goals. (50-150 words)
Selection Process: Panelists will review applications and make selections based on:
- Work samples
- Overall artistic practice and demonstrated art activities
- Readiness to learn, engage, and grow
- Contributing to a balanced cohort
Questions: Please reach out to Amee Ellis, Work of Art Curriculum Coordinator and Facilitator, at artistsupport@mainframestudios.org
I understand the above information.*

By checking this box, I acknowledge and agree to these conditions.

CONTACT INFO
Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Cell Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Pronouns*
Optional: Please share your Website Link:
Optional: Please share your Social Media Handles:
Please upload your 1-2 page resume that includes arts-related activities and accomplishments (Please share what you have. This is meant to help co-facilitators understand where you are in your career and how they can help meet you where you are and move you forward). PDF preferred. *

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I will be sharing my art in the form of:*

VISUAL ART

Please submit 3-5 examples of your best artworks below.
Submission #1: For Visual Artists, please upload an image. File types accepted: png, JPG, JPEG, or PDF with a 10MB limit.*

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Submission #1: Please list the Title, materials, size, year completed*
Optional: Submission #1: Please include a brief description or any special information about this work.
2nd Submission: For Visual Artists, please upload an image. File types accepted: png, JPG, JPEG, or PDF with a 10MB limit.*

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Submission #2: Please list the Title, materials, size, year completed*
Optional: Submission #2: Please include a brief description or any special information about this work.
3rd Submission: For Visual Artists, please upload an image. File types accepted: png, JPG, JPEG, or PDF with a 10MB limit.*

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Submission #3: Please list the Title, materials, size, year completed*
Optional: Submission #3: Please include a brief description or any special information about this work.
4th Submission: For Visual Artists, please upload an image. File types accepted: png, JPG, JPEG, or PDF with a 10MB limit.

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Submission #4: Please list the Title, materials, size, year completed
Optional: Submission #4: Please include a brief description or any special information about this work.
5th Submission: For Visual Artists, please upload an image. File types accepted: png, JPG, JPEG, or PDF with a 10MB limit.

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Submission #5: Please list the Title, materials, size, year completed
Optional: Submission #5: Please include a brief description or any special information about this work.

MUSIC // POETRY // WRITING // THEATRE // FILMS

If you are a Musician, Poet, Writer, Playwright, or Filmmaker, please submit 3-5 examples of your best works below.
Submission #1: Title*
Submission #1: Year Completed or Published*
Submission #1: Please upload a PDF, audio file, or video clip of an excerpt of your overall piece. File types accepted: pdf, html, zip, mp3, wma, mpg, avi, jpg, jpeg, png, gif*

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Optional: Submission #1: Please include a brief description or any special information about this work.
Submission #2: Title*
Submission #2: Year Completed or Published*
Submission #2: Please upload a PDF, audio file, or video clip of an excerpt of your overall piece. File types accepted: pdf, html, zip, mp3, wma, mpg, avi, jpg, jpeg, png, gif*

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Optional: Submission #2: Please include a brief description or any special information about this work.
Submission #3: Title*
Submission #3: Year Completed or Published*
Submission #3: Please upload a PDF, audio file, or video clip of an excerpt of your overall piece. File types accepted: pdf, html, zip, mp3, wma, mpg, avi, jpg, jpeg, png, gif*

Cancelof
Optional: Submission #3: Please include a brief description or any special information about this work.
Submission #4: Title
Submission #4: Year Completed or Published
Submission #4: Please upload a PDF, audio file, or video clip of an excerpt of your overall piece. File types accepted: pdf, html, zip, mp3, wma, mpg, avi, jpg, jpeg, png, gif

Cancelof
Optional: Submission #4: Please include a brief description or any special information about this work.
Submission #5: Title
Submission #5: Year Completed or Published
Submission #5: Please upload a PDF, audio file, or video clip of an excerpt of your overall piece. File types accepted: pdf, html, zip, mp3, wma, mpg, avi, jpg, jpeg, png, gif

Cancelof
Optional: Submission #5: Please include a brief description or any special information about this work.

ART PRACTICE: Briefly describe your art practice and tell us what you make and why. (50-150 words)*

0/150
What are your creative business goals? What would you like to accomplish in the next year, 5 years, or beyond? (50-150 words)*

0/150
What would you most like to learn from this program and why do you want to participate? Please identify any specific areas or needs you'd like to address to help meet your goals. (50-150 words)*

0/150
Agreements
I am eligible to participate in this program. I verify that.... (Please check all that apply)

I am an individual artist, including visual/performing artist, musician, or creative writer.I am 18 years of age or older.I live and work in Greater Des Moines (or within a 45 mile range of Des Moines) and am able to be physically present for sessions.
I understand there is a $150 cost for each accepted participant. (Please select one).

I am willing to invest in my professional development for this fee.I would like to be considered for one of the limited number of scholarships that are available.
I understand this program operates with a Community Agreement that states, "Work of Art fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to share, listen actively, and make valuable contributions. We prioritize care, respect, curiosity, and continuous learning, and we will collectively work to ensure all voices are heard and valued."*

Yes, I understand and will uphold these values.
I am pleased to share my application and agree to the conditions of participation if selected.
Thank You!

Thank you for sharing your works and goals. We look forward to reviewing your application.

Should you have any questions, please contact:
Should be Empty:

CONTACT INFO

VISUAL ART

MUSIC // POETRY // WRITING // THEATRE // FILMS

Agreements