General FAQ

Can I register day-of?
Yes, attendees are welcome to register online for the virtual sessions on Wednesday and Thursday and at the door for the in-person conference on Friday. You can pay with either check or card and the cost is $50.

Where can I access the full program and presenter information?
A PDF of the full program can be found on the website. Learn more about this year’s presenters, speakers, and featured artists online.

Who can I get in contact with to answer questions about the summit?
For any questions about the virtual or in-person summit, please contact a member of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs:

• Call or text: 515-635-5246
• Email: lindsay.keast@iowa.gov
• In person: Registration table in the Mainframe Studios atrium

Will sessions be recorded? Where can I access them?
Virtual sessions will be recorded and will be available on-demand on the Hopin virtual event platform through Sept. 25, with the exception of Michele Anderson’s presentation. In-person sessions will not be recorded.

Virtual FAQ

What is Hopin?
Hopin is a virtual event platform where we’ll be hosting the virtual sessions of the Iowa Arts Summit Aug. 10-11. The platform is a one-stop shop where attendees can network with others, participate in the virtual sessions, learn about the presenters, and view session recordings.

How do I join Hopin for the virtual sessions?

• On Tuesday, Aug. 9, registrants will receive a link to access the virtual event platform. Note: You may be prompted to register with your name and email. This is required even if you registered on iowaartssummit.com.
• You will then be directed to the Reception page where you can update your profile, view the attendee list and start chatting with other registrants.
• The conference will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 10. Log in to Hopin to network, explore the schedule and presenters, and view conference presentations on the Stage.

The Hopin platform is available to attendees Aug. 9-Sept. 25. Hopin attendee support can be found online.

In-Person FAQ

Where is Mainframe Studios located?
900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309

• Driving directions from downtown: Follow 10th Street north. Mainframe Studios will be on the right as the road curves towards Center Street.
• Driving directions from I-235: Take Keo Way exit towards downtown. Take a right on 12th Street. Take a left at Center Street and Mainframe Studios will be on the left.

Entrances are located through the lower-level parking lot and through the front of the building on 12th Street. Both entrances are wheelchair-accessible.

Where do I park?
Parking for the Iowa Arts Summit is free and there are multiple options available:

• Principal parking lot south of the building
• Lower one-way level lot under the Mainframe Studios building
• Corner of 12th & Center Street

View a parking map online (12th & Center lot not pictured).

Is there a conference hotel?
There is not an official conference hotel or block of reserved rooms. We encourage attendees to book a hotel room as soon as possible as they may fill up quickly. You may also want to look into hotels in the surrounding area, such as in Altoona.

What health and safety measures are in place?
Masks are optional and will be available at the registration table. Hand sanitizer will be provided throughout the conference rooms. All session rooms have high ceilings with ventilation and attendees are welcome to space out at sessions if possible.

Attendees are also encouraged to use color-coded stickers on their nametags (available at registration) to indicate to others their comfort level with physical and social interaction.

• Green: Handshakes and high-fives
• Yellow: Elbows-only
• Red: Social-distancing

Do I need to bring anything?
Bring your brochures, fliers, business cards, and other giveaways for attendees to grab at the Brag Buffet table in the atrium. This is a great way to spread the word about your work and to connect with other attendees!

Other materials are not necessary. Copies of the program (including a few pages for notes), pens, attendee name tags, masks, and hand sanitizer will be available at registration.

What do I do when I arrive?

• Stop by registration (opens at 8:00 a.m.) by the elevators on the main floor to pick up your name tag, lanyard, a copy of the program, and a pen. Name tags can be either clipped or hang by a lanyard.
• Masks and hand sanitizer are also available.
• Drop off your business cards and other informational handouts at the Brag Buffet located in the atrium.
• Grab breakfast, network with your peers, and join the morning sessions in the Big Room on the main level!

What if I registered for the in-person event but can't attend?
Refunds will be issued to registrants who notify the Iowa Arts Council of their need to cancel their registration by Thursday, August 11 at 5 pm. We cannot issue refunds to registered attendees after that time or on the day of the event. Please email lindsay.keast@iowa.gov to request a refund.

Is WiFi available at Mainframe Studios?
Yes, the network name and password will be posted throughout the venue.

What can I expect for food and beverages throughout the day?
The conference will be catered by The Tangerine Food Company. Beverages will be available all day in the atrium outside of the Big Room. Continental breakfast will be served from 8:00-9:25 a.m., including vegetarian, vegan, keto, and gluten free options. A boxed lunch will be served from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

All dietary restrictions entered on the registration form were provided to Tangerine. Attendees with dietary requests will have their lunch set aside with their name written on the box.

What accommodations are provided?
The Iowa Arts Council is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to Iowa Arts Summit attendees, presenters, and performers. ASL interpreters and live closed captioning will be available for virtual and in-person sessions, and all speakers will be amplified. Please stop by the registration table to request interpretation during your sessions as we have a limited number of interpreters on-site.

Additional in-person accommodations include wheelchair-accessible tables and restrooms, and a quiet room located on the 3rd floor for anyone who needs space for a break. A mother’s room is also available; please inquire at registration or call/text 515-635-5246 for more information.

If you have questions or would like to request additional accommodations, please contact our team’s accessibility coordinator, Lindsay Keast, at 515-281-8352 or lindsay.keast@iowa.gov.

Where can I access the “Handbook for Artists Working in Community” for the Springboard for the Arts workshop?
The handbook is not required for the workshop, however a free download is available online for interested artists. They are also for sale online for $45/each and Jun-Li Wang of Springboard will have a few on hand to sell after the afternoon workshop.