The Ames Public Library To Host Submission of Art For New Festival

From the City of Ames:

October 24, 2019

The Ames Public Library To Host Submission of Art For New Festival

The Ames Public Library will be the site of the first ever Black Arts and Music Festival planned for February 8-9, 2020. This two-day, family-friendly event will celebrate the artistic and cultural contributions of African and African American visual and performing artists in the community. Organizers are seeking artists to make the event a success. Youth (grades 9-12) and adult artists from Iowa State University and the greater Ames community are invited to submit visual art, original songs, or performance pieces for consideration.

“This festival provides an opportunity to uplift the voices of underrepresented community members by showcasing the talents and contributions of African and African American visual artists and performers,” said Teen Librarian Tanvi Rastogi, Ames Public Library. “We also want to promote cultural awareness of African and African American arts and experiences.”

Other goals of the new festival include fostering civic engagement and discourse, and strengthening relationships with community and university partners. Artists will be allowed to sell their art during the exhibit. The deadline for all submissions is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. For more information on submission guidelines, visit www.AmesPublicLibrary.org

Festival organizers include the Ames Branch of the NAACP, ISU College of Design, ISU Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Ames Community Arts Council, and the Ames Public Arts Commission. The event is supported by the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation.

This press release was produced by the City of Ames. The views expressed here are the author’s own.