​Welcome to the Ames Community Arts Council

Artists and supporters of the arts, non-profit organizations and businesses have come together as the Ames Community Arts Council since 1976. We are dedicated to building a sense of community and helping artists succeed. We believe that participating in the arts--as audience members, musicians, actors, dancers, writers, makers, volunteers, and more--enriches our lives and our community. 

What we do:
The Ames Community Arts Council is a non-profit 501(c)(3) funded through memberships, donations, and grants, including the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA). The Arts Council is dedicated to celebrating the arts and serving the community. 

Here's a quick look at some things we do:
  • connect you to vocal and instrument concerts, dance and theater performances, visual arts exhibits, unique shopping, cultural events, arts classes and more through our free weekly on-line newsletter and on-line calendar. 
  • organize a monthly “gathering of artists” for local artists of all kinds. 
  • recognize excellence in the arts through the annual Arts Awards Celebration.
  • give you a behind-the-scenes look at local artists' studios with the Ames Artists' Studio Tour.
  • support opportunities that expand learning outside the regular classroom and utilize partnerships with artists / arts organizations through Arts in Education Grants. 
  • provide free art activities for the community.
  • make it easy to find an artist. Member artists are listed with links to their websites and social media pages.
  • provide special benefits for artists, art organizations and businesses and promote arts events of the members through traditional and social media.
  • We collaborate with Ames area organizations to support community activities, like ArtWalk, MusicWalk and more. 

News of the Day

Ames Community Arts Council to Celebrate Those Who Celebrate the Arts

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The Ames Community Arts Council is seeking local artists to participate in the 2023 Ames Artists’ Studio Tour. This year’s tour will be Sat., Sept. 30 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and Sun., Oct. 1 (noon – 4 p.m.). The public will be invited to a behind-the-scenes look at how art is created during this self-guided tour. If you are an artist in the greater Ames area with a working studio and you are looking for ways to showcase your work, this event may be perfect for you!
 
The Ames Artists’ Studio Tour is for you if:
  • You have an awesome, interesting, and safe studio with some space for parking. This is open to all kinds of studios — studios for visual arts, recording, dance, radio, and so on.
  • You are interested in sharing your story with potential customers. You like to talk about your history, future plans, and artistic process.
  • You are comfortable showing off — you have work to display and sell.
  • You are willing to do more than just sell your work. You can demonstrate how you do your work and/or have an activity for visitors to try. This will look different in every studio. Take advantage of this rare opportunity for the public to understand what it takes to create your work.
  • You can get social — you are willing to help promote the Tour by making posts to social media, sending notices to your mailing lists, and/or handing out the brochure wherever you can.
 
The details:
Application deadline: Fri., June 2, 2023
Fees: $75 for Ames Community Arts Council members; $125 for non-members.
Payment is due at the time of acceptance.
Notification: Applicants will be notified no later than Fri., June 9, 2023.
Artists may choose to participate in either one or both days of the tour. Full fee required regardless of level of participation.
 
A full application can be found here.