Iowa Artist Directory

FAQ

What is the Iowa Artist Directory?

The Iowa Artist Directory is maintained by the Iowa Arts Council and designed to serve as a resource for educators, performing arts presenters, private individuals, festivals, colleges, and other communities interested in finding artists in Iowa.

The Iowa Artist Directory also serves as an online means of marketing for artists and groups who want to advertise their skills and services offered to the community.

Included within the Iowa Artist Directory, are the Folk and Traditional, Performing and Teaching Artist Rosters.

What are the Artist Rosters?

Artists listed in our rosters have been reviewed and approved by the Iowa Arts Council according to relative criteria.

• The artists in the Folk and Traditional Artists Roster have learned their skill or art through their cultural/ethnic heritage.
• The Teaching Artists Roster lists artists who are skilled in both their artistic discipline and as instructors.
• The Performing Artists Roster consists of talented and professional presenting artists.

How can I use the Iowa Artist Directory?

Individuals and organizations can use this resource to locate and review the work of artists in Iowa. The depth of information listed will vary from artist to artist.

Who can be listed in the Iowa Artist Directory?

The Iowa Artist Directory is not a juried resource. Artists interested in being listed in the IAD need to simply submit our registration form and pay the $15.00 listing fee.

Can I contact the artist directly?

Absolutely. Artists provide us with contact information so that they are available to those who want to reach them.

Does the IAC conduct background checks on artists listed in these resources?

No. The IAC does not conduct background checks on artists listed in the Iowa Artists Directory. Artists are evaluated only on the merits of their artistic and professional experience. Schools and community groups should follow their established hiring procedures regarding criminal background checks for any personnel working with youth.

How do I find an artist?

There are a few ways to find an artist using this resource.

• One example is to search by publication, if you were searching for an artist who does classroom residencies, you would select Teaching Artist Roster, and your results will be only those artists who are listed in that publication.
• You can search by discipline, for example, if you are searching for a dancer, you select "dance" from the drop down menu, and the results will reflect all dance artists.
• Keyword search, is another search option, when using this, you will want use words that describe the type of artist you are looking for, such as "watercolor" rather than simply, "painting".

What is folk and traditional art?

Folk and traditional arts encompasses the everyday knowledge, art, and lore that are passed from one person to another through imitation or word-of-mouth. Learned primarily through ethnic, religious, occupational, or family associations rather than through formal training, folklife genres include a diversity of forms: folk art... music... dance... crafts... narratives... (folk history, legends, tall tales, or jokes)... architecture... beliefs... rituals... celebrations... foods... games. By reflecting a group's way of looking at the world, traditional forms as well as occupational skills and knowledge all serve to identify and symbolize individuals and their communities.

Who are folk and traditional artists?

Folk and traditional artists consist of individuals from a particular cultural, ethnic, occupational, regional, religious or other self-identified group who produce, pass on, and preserve folk and traditional art forms that reflect the identity of that group, e.g. Meskwaki dancers, Lao weavers, Mennonite quilters, or Irish bagpipers.

What is folk-inspired art?

Folk-inspired art is produced by individuals and groups who are not part of the culture group that originally produced the art form at issue, regardless of the quality of the art.

How can an artist use the Iowa Artist Directory and Rosters?

Artists can utilize the Directory to list their skills, services offered, works completed etc. Artists who wish to apply to one of our rosters can use those resources to reflect their focus in that category. To register for the Directory or apply for a roster – please visit the "About the Iowa Artist Directory and Rosters" section.

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