​Welcome to the Ames Community Arts Council

Call for Local Potters: Help Create Bowls for the 2026 Empty Bowls Fundraiser.
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Who we are:

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. 
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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. Let us know how we can partner with you!

News of the Day

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Call for Local Potters: Help Create Bowls for the 2026 Empty Bowls Fundraiser

The Octagon Center for the Arts and the Ames Community Arts Council are seeking local potters to help create handcrafted soup bowls for the 2026 Empty Bowls fundraiser, to be held this fall. A community bowl‑making day will take place on Sat., July 11, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., with morning and afternoon sessions available.
 
The Octagon will provide clay, tools, wheels, and studio space—artists simply need to arrive ready to throw. Because space is limited, advance registration is required. Potters may reserve multiple time slots as needed and are asked to release any unused reservations so others may participate.
 
This volunteer opportunity is intended for individuals who are comfortable throwing independently, as instruction will not be provided.
 
Participating potters must also commit to returning to the Octagon to trim their bowls in mid-July. Then, Octagon staff will glaze and fire all completed bowls. 

Learn all the details and sign up here: Make a Bowl: Give a Bowl. 
Questions may be directed to Beth Weninger at [email protected].

About the event: Empty Bowls is a global, grassroots movement that raises money for food-related charities and organizations to fight hunger. Participating artists create and donate bowls, then organizers serve a simple meal. Guests choose a bowl to keep as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. In addition to the pottery being provided by local artists, local restaurants and grocery stores also donate to the project.

Coordinated by the Ames Community Arts Council and done in partnership with several arts organizations and numerous Ames artists, the third annual Empty Bowls will be held Sat., Nov. 7 at Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation (2622 Lincoln Way, Ames). Funds from the event will benefit Gilbert Community School’s Backpack Buddies, the ISU Students Helping Our Peers (SHOP) food pantry, and the Ames Community School District, through a central HOPE (Helping Other People Eat) Pantry at the AMES Center, are partnering to organize an Empty Bowls event to address food insecurity for students across the community.

Sign Up to Make a Bowl!