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.
