Polk County Heritage Gallery is accepting proposals for a solo or small group exhibition to take place at PCHG’s historic downtown Des Moines space. This 6 week exhibit will run August 14 through September 30, 2025. A stipend of $2,300.00 will be awarded to the selected artist or group in order to offset the artist’s costs of materials, framing, shipping, special marketing materials, and installation, for which the selected artist or group is responsible. All proposals received by the deadline of May 9, 2025, will be reviewed by the gallery’s exhibits committee. 

Proposal requirements: 1) 5-10 high quality images of artist’s work that is similar in theme and media to that which will be included in the exhibit. 2) A 250-400 word Statement of Intent including the theme of the exhibit, number and size of pieces and medium. 3) A current resume or CV 3 pages or less. 4) URL for artist website or social media site. 5) Contact information for one person familiar with the artist’s work and career. Entrants must be current Iowa residents.

Compile all of the above proposal requirements into ONE PDF of 5MB or less and email to: info@polkcountyheritagegallery.org. The subject line of your email should read: open call submission followed by your last and then first name. Deadline: May 9, 2025.

All submissions will be considered carefully. Be aware that the committee is looking for a coherent body of work that is highly proficient in use of materials and compelling in theme. Small groups of artists who have worked collaboratively or whose works are a part of an overarching theme will be considered. Small groups will submit as one combined application.

All 2- and 3-D media will be considered. Time-based work will be considered, but artists should familiarize themselves with the gallery’s limitations in terms of lighting, wall space, and electrical outlets. Artists are required to provide all of their own audiovisual equipment.

Please email any questions to: info@polkcountyheritagegallery.org

THE GALLERY SPACE

The gallery occupies a 2,000 sq. ft. two-story hall in the old U.S. Post Office in downtown Des Moines. The hall has a groined arched ceiling about 20' tall. The gallery entrance is on the west side from an interior lobby. The north side of the gallery is punctuated by eight large two-story arched windows. The space is a community asset and well loved by local artists and patrons.

The space has three distinct exhibition wall surfaces totalling just under 1270 sq. ft.

The south wall of the gallery (about 100 feet) has eight "niches" or recesses that have 55 square feet of wall space (approx 6' x 9') in each recess. In total they comprise 440 sq. ft. of exhibition wall space.

A second exhibition surface is the back wall. It is mounted on casters and can be move forward to reduce the exhibition floor plate. The wall is 204" wide and 88" tall (approx 7' x 17') for a total of 124 sq. ft.

The third exhibition surface is made up of stand alone "piers", also mounted on casters. Each "pier" has four sides. Two sides are 60" wide by 93" tall (approx 5' x 9'). The other two sides are 31" wide by 93" tall (approx 2.5' x 9'). Each pier has 117 sq. ft. of wall space. There are six piers, so total pier wall space is 705 sq. ft. The piers are typically places between the windows on the north side of the gallery, with only three of the four exhibition surfaces available. But these can be positioned as you see fit.