What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 6:30pm Tuesday 8am - 6:30pm Wednesday 8am - 6:30pm Thursday 8am - 6:30pm Friday 8am - 6:30pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

Mainframe Studios

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United States
Des Moines, IA
Mainframe Studios

Our nonprofit provides affordable workspaces to advance equity and opportunities in the arts. Studios may be shared by two or more artists.
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Mainframe Studios is on track to become a powerful national nonprofit model for strengthening creative culture in urban areas. The game-changing project will transform Central Iowa’s arts scene by creating a financially self-sustaining cultural and economic driver that ensures permanent space for artists in the city. Annual rents for standard studios are $7 per square foot plus utilities (e.g. a 3

50sf studio is $204 per month plus utilities); annual inflation adjustments will apply. Premiums will be charged to those requiring special units or features. Interest is outpacing workspace availability. Our current waitlist includes ceramicists, photographers, glass artists, actors, illustrators, musicians, painters, metalsmiths, sculptors, printers, game developers and many others. Mainframe Studios' founder Justin Mandelbaum co-founded Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, Massachusetts. The once vacant mill building complex is now home to the largest artist community on the east coast. With 250 studios, 50 live/work lofts and over 300 artists, it covers 250,000 square feet. Central Iowa is experiencing significant revitalization in recent years and is home to established, nationally-recognized arts organizations. With the addition of Mainframe Studios, Des Moines is unusually poised to prosper as a hub for vibrant creative culture.

02/05/2025

🎨 Join us this Friday for February First Friday at Mainframe Studios! ✨

This First Friday marks the opening reception for two new gallery shows: "Layered" (located in the atrium, 2nd, and 4th floors) and "Within Layers" (on the 3rd floor).

"Layered" features 57 works by 48 local artists, each exploring the theme of layers through diverse mediums and interpretations. Curated by the talented Brittany Brooke Crow, this exhibition invites you to dive deep into the complexity and beauty of art!

🎶 Enjoy live music 🎉 Sip on drinks 🍴 Snack on delicious bites 🖌️ Explore and shop open studios and engage with artists in their creative spaces.

Come celebrate Des Moines' vibrant creative community and experience art like never before!

📅 When: Friday, February 7th, 5-8 PM�📍 Where: Mainframe Studios, Des Moines

Don’t miss this exciting evening!

02/01/2025

🎨✨ Sneak peek alert! ✨🎨

Join us this upcoming Friday, February 7th from 5-8 pm for First Friday at Mainframe Studios! First Friday features the opening reception of the Layered Exhibition in our atrium, 2nd & 4th floors, and the opening of Within the Layers, an exhibition from talented Iowa State University students.

This exciting showcase will be on display in the 3rd-floor gallery space throughout February, but the First Friday event is the only chance to experience the energy of the opening reception!

What to expect? 🌟
-Open studios to interact with artists, learn about their creative process and explore new works
-Live music 🎶
-Food & drinks 🍷🍴
-Art activities to spark your imagination 🎨

Don’t miss out on this community celebration of art and creativity. Come support local talent and enjoy an unforgettable evening!

Artworks pictured:
-“A Personal Prairie” by Emily Hodges
-“Gates of the Arctic National Park Poster” by Erin Musselman
-“Chromatic strands - Layers of culture” by Boluwarin Ojo
-“Hey How Ya Feeling” by Amara Tilley
-“Mural 1” by Ryan Willison

See you at First Friday! ✨

01/29/2025

🎨 CALL FOR ARTISTS! 🧑‍🎨

Mainframe Studios is now accepting submissions for the April 2025 First Friday exhibition, "DIVERSE BY DESIGN | ART + ACCESSIBILITY." This exhibition will explore diversity in art and design through multisensory engagement and accessible spatial design. We're looking for work that invites alternative, inclusive experiences like audio descriptions, tactile tours, movement-based performances, spaces for sensory relief, and more.

Curated by Jill WellsArt, an interdisciplinary artist and advocate for accessibility, this exhibition aims to create a multi-modal, accessible environment where everyone can connect with art on a deeper level.

🔗 Submissions are open until March 3rd, 2025 (11:59 PM CST). Whether through an online form, recorded application, or phone interview, we want to hear from you! All applicants will be notified of the results.

For more info and to apply, check out the apply section or news section of our website. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to [email protected]!

01/24/2025

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come at the Layered Exhibition! 🎨✨ Join us for February’s First Friday to celebrate the opening of this incredible show, explore artists’ studios, and connect with the community through art.

Curated by Brittany Brooke Crow, Layered showcases 57 objects from 48 talented artists, bringing you unique works from across the greater Des Moines area.

You won’t want to miss it! Join us on Friday, February 7th, from 5-8 pm at Mainframe Studios for an evening filled with art, music, food, and drinks. Explore the Layered exhibition and discover open studios from our local artists. See you at !

01/19/2025

Make your next event unforgettable! ✨ From intimate gatherings to large celebrations, the Big Room is perfect for any occasion. 🎉

One of the best perks of hosting at Mainframe? Our artist directory! Explore a talented group of local artists for everything you need from invitations to florals, decor, music, and more. 🎨💐🎶

Ready to host? Email us at [email protected] and let’s bring your vision to life! 🥂

📸: Breanna Maxwell Photography & The Lovelife Crew

01/18/2025

Don’t miss out! 🎨✨ Come explore the incredible art and fashion from a variety of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) cultures in our current gallery exhibits, on display until January 29th!

We’re open:�
🕗 M-F: 8 AM - 6:30 PM�
🕙 Sat/Sun: 10 AM - 5 PM

Visit us and discover the beauty and diversity of AAPI art in our gallery space on the upper four floors!

01/17/2025

Photos are up! 🎉 A big THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for January First Friday: Celebrating AAPI Cultures at Mainframe Studios. It was a night full of fun, culture, fashion, food, art, and so much more! 🙌✨

Special shoutout to the Iowa Asian Alliance for partnering with us to make it all happen!

01/16/2025

🚨 We're Hiring! 🚨

Mainframe Studios is looking for a Part-time Community Engagement Coordinator to join our team! If you’re passionate about the arts, love community-building, and have experience in event management, we want to hear from you!

✨ Key Responsibilities:
* Welcome visitors and tenants
* Plan and coordinate First Friday events & programming
* Provide administrative support

💼 Qualifications:
* 2+ years in event management, arts administration, or gallery experience
* Proficiency in MS Office, Google Workspace, and Canva
* Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
* Enthusiastic, proactive, and committed to the arts

🌈 Our Values:
* Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
* Promoting a welcoming and equitable culture

📅 Apply by next Friday January 24, 2025: Email your cover letter, resume, and references to Julia Franklin, Executive Director, at [email protected]
Learn more by going to the apply page at MainframeStudios.org!

01/14/2025

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Layered Exhibition Call for Entries! Mainframe Studios received a record-breaking 286 entries from 123 talented artists across Greater Des Moines. After careful consideration, 57 stunning works by 48 artists have been selected by the talented curator Brittany Brooke Crow. 🎨✨

Swipe to discover the incredible artists featured in the show! Join us for the Layered Exhibition during our February First Friday on February 7th from 5-8 PM at Mainframe Studios. 🖼️🍷🎶

It’s going to be an evening full of art, food, music, and of course layers! We can't wait to celebrate these local artists with you!

01/13/2025

When you book Mainframe Studios as your venue, you're opening the door to a world of possibilities. ✨

🎨 From makeup artists, fashion designers, and jewelry makers to printmakers, graphic designers, florists, and so much more! There's an entire creative community waiting to collaborate with you! 🤝

At Mainframe Studios, every event is a blank canvas, ready for you to make your mark. Whether you're hosting a pop-up, workshop, or celebration, the creative potential is limitless.

Contact [email protected] today to get started. Let’s make something extraordinary together!

01/11/2025

👀 Looking for something to do this weekend?

Head over to Mainframe Studios and explore our current display of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) art and fashion across all four of our upper gallery floors! Each level offers a unique experience, filled with vibrant, thought-provoking works that celebrate AAPI culture.

This sneak peek is just a taste of the stunning garments and art on display. Whether you're looking for inspiration, education, or simply a warm and welcoming space to spend your Saturday, Mainframe has something for everyone! 🎨👗

Come explore, discover, and experience all that Mainframe has to offer. We are open 10 AM - 5 PM on the weekends and 8 AM - 6:30 PM during the week!

📸 by Photosbytrang

01/10/2025

🎉 Dancing because it’s Friday, and you know we LOVE Fridays at Mainframe Studios! 💃🕺 Huge thanks to everyone who participated in and attended January First Friday: Celebrating AAPI Cultures at Mainframe Studios, celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) art and culture with us!

It was an unforgettable night filled with amazing food, fashion, art, performances, and so much more! A special shoutout to the Iowa Asian Alliance for helping make this event a success! 💖

Thank you again to our incredible vendors for being part of the celebration: The Eggroll Ladies, SIVID, Dragon Foodies, Little Crafting Panda, Bubble Tea Kups, Sarinade, MMMBap, Happy Dancing Club (seen above in the video dancing during one of their multiple performances), Korean-American Society of Iowa KASI 아이오와주 한인회, Thai Association of Iowa, and the Japanese Society of Iowa.

If you missed First Friday, no worries! You can still explore the fashion and art in our gallery spaces until January 29th! 🖼️

And don’t forget to join us for the Layered Exhibition on February’s First Friday, Feb 7th from 5-8pm. See you there!

01/09/2025

🎉 A huge THANK YOU to the Iowa Asian Alliance for partnering with us for January First Friday: Celebrating AAPI Cultures at Mainframe Studios! We're so grateful to everyone who participated and attended, making the first First Friday of 2025 a memorable one! 🎉✨

If you missed it, don’t worry! You can still catch up by reading all about it in Jane Nguyen Burns Lawson’s article. Plus, the amazing artwork will be on display throughout January, so be sure to stop by and experience it for yourself!

When I drive downtown Des Moines, I often notice a very colorful building to the south of the freeway on Keo Way.

01/07/2025

We are Hiring a Part-time Community Engagement Coordinator!
Join our dynamic team at Mainframe Studios! We’re looking for an enthusiastic and experienced individual to coordinate First Friday events, support visitor and tenant services, and handle related administrative duties.

Key Responsibilities:
-Welcome visitors and tenants
-Plan and coordinate First Friday events and related programming

Qualifications:
-2+ years of event management, arts administration, or gallery experience desired
-Proficiency in MS Office, Google Workspace, and Canva
-Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
-Outgoing, proactive, curious mindset with a demonstrated commitment to the arts

Values:
-Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
-Promoting a welcoming and equitable culture and quality arts experiences

Apply by January 24, 2025: Email your cover letter, resume, and list of references to Julia Franklin, Executive Director, at [email protected].

Learn more:

Mainframe Studios, the largest nonprofit creative workspace in the nation, is seeking a Community Engagement Coordinator to be part of our dynamic team!

Address

Des Moines, IA

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 6:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 6:30pm
Thursday	8am - 6:30pm
Friday	8am - 6:30pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm

Website

http://mainframestudios.org/

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Videos

🎉 Dancing because it’s Friday, and you know we LOVE Fridays at Mainframe Studios! 💃🕺 Huge thanks to everyone who participated in and attended January First Friday: Celebrating AAPI Cultures at Mainframe Studios, celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) art and culture with us! It was an unforgettable night filled with amazing food, fashion, art, performances, and so much more! A special shoutout to the Iowa Asian Alliance for helping make this event a success! 💖 Thank you again to our incredible vendors for being part of the celebration: The Eggroll Ladies, SIVID, Dragon Foodies, Little Crafting Panda, Bubble Tea Kups, Sarinade, MMMBap, Happy Dancing Club (seen above in the video dancing during one of their multiple performances), Korean-American Society of Iowa KASI 아이오와주 한인회, Thai Association of Iowa, and the Japanese Society of Iowa. If you missed First Friday, no worries! You can still explore the fashion and art in our gallery spaces until January 29th! 🖼️ And don’t forget to join us for the Layered Exhibition on February’s First Friday, Feb 7th from 5-8pm. See you there! #MainframeStudios #FirstFriday #AAPI #ArtAndCulture #CommunityCelebration #IowaAsianAlliance #Fashion #ArtExhibition #LayeredExhibition #FridayVibes

Every Artist Was First An Amateur

🎨✨ “Every artist was first an amateur.” No matter where you are on your artistic journey, Mainframe Studios is here to support you! Whether you’re just starting out and eager to take classes and workshops with our professional artists, or simply seeking inspiration, we have something for everyone. Visit us daily to explore our gallery spaces and art-filled halls, and join us this Friday from 5-8pm for First Friday! Connect with working artists, explore their creative processes, and get inspired! #ArtistJourney #CreativeGrowth #MainframeStudios #FirstFriday #MeetTheArtists #ArtInspiration #SupportLocalArtists #MondayMotivation

A big thank you to everyone who joined us last Friday for December's First Friday, the Ceramics Invitational! 🎉 It was an amazing evening filled with creativity, fun, and art! Didn’t make it? No worries! Join us tomorrow from 12-4 pm for Last Call, our final open studio event of the year. 🎨 And mark your calendars! We’ll be kicking off 2025 with January's First Friday on January 3rd from 5-8pm. See you there! #FirstFriday #Ceramics #OpenStudio #ArtCommunity #MainframeStudios #MainframeFirstFridays #DecemberFirstFriday #LastCallAtMainframe #LastCall

🎉 Tonight’s the night! Join us at Mainframe Studios for First Friday from 5-8 PM! This is just a sneak peek 👀 get ready to explore our four gallery spaces filled with stunning pieces from our featured artists! Wander through 180 open studios, enjoy live music from Central Iowa Blues on every floor, participate in an art activity with Siricasso, and indulge in delicious food and drinks throughout the evening! Stick around for the after-party from 8-9 PM, featuring live music from Iowa Blues Hall of Famers JC Anderson, Greg Sutherland, and Dwight Dario. It’s going to be an unforgettable evening of creativity, community, and celebration! 🎶✨ #FirstFriday #MainframeStudios #SupportLocalArtists #NovemberFirstFriday #MFSFirstFriday #MadeInMainframe #CentralIowaBluesSociety #IowaArtists #FridayNight #ThingsToDo

August's First Friday was such a success 🎉 If you weren't able to attend it's not too late... Come see all of the artwork in our gallery spaces from now until August 28th! Thank you to Cignature Productions llc for putting together this teaser of August's First Friday. We look forward to seeing you on September 6th for First Friday: Five Floors of Fashion 🪡 🧵 #ArtHappensHere #iowaart #desmoinesart #fristfriday #photography

Inhale.... Exhale....

Inhale.... Exhale.... Deep calming breaths are a great way to be mindful and in the moment. This #MindfulMonday we reflect upon the "Inhale.... Exhale...." dedication ceremony held on August 2nd. We are so incredibly thankful for the overwhelming community support with over 180 people joining us to celebrate as Jordan Weber dedicated his newest art installation to Teree Caldwell-Johnson. Thank you Oakridge Neighborhood Services for hosting the event and helping us make the event a reality as well as for everything you are doing for the community day in and day out! Thank you to Emmett Phillips Jr. for sharing your spoken word and organizing the youth performance! Thank you to Rural Black Doula for leading us all in mindful breathwork! Thank you Jill WellsArt for speaking and making sure things ran smoothly! Thank you to all of the amazing funders who made this project a possibility: Bravo Greater Des Moines, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Operation Downtown, Greater Des Moines Partnership, & Polk County Board of Supervisors! And of course, a big thank you Jordan Weber for creating an impactful piece of art to light up the Des Moines skyline! We are incredibly honored and grateful you choice Mainframe as the home for Inhale.... Exhale.... 📸 Photo & Video credits to Ryan Damman Photography #desmoinesart #ArtHappensHere #jordanweber #inhalexhale #iowaart #publicart

Thank you to everyone who came to First Friday! The Photography featured at the event will stay on display in our gallery space until August 27th. This includes @Tatianagia Landscape & Nature Photography on the 4th floor! Come to Mainframe Studios today to see visual storytelling through photography! 📸🌅🌌🌄🏙 #mainframestudiosartist #fristfriday #desmoinesart #ArtHappensHere #photography #naturephotography

It's almost time for First Friday! What are you most excited about seeing? #art #desmoines #desmoinesart #thingstodoindesmoines

Where every brushstroke tells a story 🎨 So proud to feature the amazing artwork of local public school kids in our studio! @desmoinespublicschools #desmoinesart #art #dmps

So much student art from Des Moines Public Schools on display for First Friday! Come down from 5-8PM this week and experience the passion and creativity of young artist from 70 schools in the Des Moines area #mainframestudiosdsm #mainframestudios #desmoines #dsmp #dsm #desmoinesart #art #thingstofdo #thingstodoindesmoines #youthart #studentart

Join us for First Friday featuring Student Art from 70 Des Moines Public Schools artists! #mainframe #mainframestudios #mainframestudiosdsm #dsm #desmoines #dsmp #art #thingstofdo

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Our Story

We believe developing proper infrastructure for individual artists is as important as creating a world-class art center, sculpture park, opera or theater performance venues. Des Moines is fortunate to have all of these, and we are demonstrating to other cities why giving equal attention to creative professionals benefits communities in profound ways. Opened in late 2017, Mainframe has quickly realized substantial achievements: 3 of 5 floors renovated; all but $1.7M raised of our $14.5M capital campaign; renovations to complete the project have begun; 75 current non-residential studios support five nonprofits and over 90 creatives from 16 regional communities representing 25 disciplines; 100% occupancy and 120 on the waiting list who have paid deposit; and $400k in current annual rental revenue. In pre-Covid days, our doors welcome over 19,000 visitors a year through artist-led activities (workshops, photoshoots, demonstrations), event space rentals (summer camps, conferences, weddings, fundraisers, music video shoots), public tours and our popular monthly First Friday public festivities. Mainframe has prided itself on showcasing the high-quality of talent that’s been previously hiding in basements, at kitchen tables and in the dreams of regional artists.

We love our community and we are determined to progress as a beacon of resilience, inclusiveness and recovery. Art and humanity go hand in hand. #weR1dsm - This week we begin to finish what we started. This is our 2nd floor being demolished so more creatives can make their mark with confidence and collaboration. We are committed to going forward together. #BLM Rent for standard studios start at $7.43 per square foot plus utilities (e.g. a 350sf studio is $217 per month plus utilities, which includes heating, cooling, wifi and general liability insurance); annual inflation adjustments will apply. Studios may be shared. Interest is outpacing workspace availability. Our current waitlist includes ceramicists, photographers, glass artists, actors, illustrators, musicians, painters, metalsmiths, sculptors, printers, game developers and many others. Mainframe Studios' founder Justin Mandelbaum co-founded Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, Massachusetts. The once vacant mill building complex is now home to the largest artist community on the east coast. With 250 studios, 50 live/work lofts and over 300 artists, it covers 250,000 square feet. Central Iowa is experiencing significant revitalization in recent years and is home to established, nationally-recognized arts organizations. With the addition of Mainframe Studios, Des Moines is unusually poised to prosper as a hub for vibrant creative culture.