On this page...
The Iowa Artist Retreat is administered by the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority (the IEDA). Through the Iowa Artist Retreat program, the IEDA provides targeted inquiry-based programming to support the financial knowledge, habits, and self-efficacy of Iowa artists. The two-day, in-person professional development experience is designed to support Iowa artists in strengthening their creative practices, building meaningful connections across disciplines, and increasing their professional sustainability. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive educational program will be held over a two-day period on November 6-7, 2026, in Grinnell, Iowa. By the end of the program participants should be able to:
Articulate a clear and compelling description of their artistic practice
Identify realistic and diversified revenue opportunities
Develop strategies to build and engage audiences
Increase understanding of financial systems and tax considerations for artists
Define specific, measurable next steps for their creative careers
Expand their professional network across Iowa
Experience a sense of belonging within a state artistic community
Questions
Potential applicants can contact Produce Iowa Program Manager EJ Philby Burton at EJ.PhilbyBurton@IowaEDA.com with questions regarding the program.
Accessibility
The IEDA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to eligible applicants. For technical support submitting the online application, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator, Elizabeth Ferreira, at 515-348-6324 or elizabeth.ferreira@iowaeda.com at least two weeks in advance of the application deadline.
Timeline
September 1, 2026 | Application Deadline
The deadline to submit the full online application is 11:59 PM on September 1, 2026, for selection in the 2026 Iowa Artist Retreat.
October 1, 2026 | Acceptance Notification
Applicants will be notified by October 1, 2026, on program decisions.
November 6-7, 2026 | Artist Retreat
The Iowa Artist Retreat will take place in Grinnell, Iowa.
Program Expectations
Selected participants must attend the full two-day retreat in person, actively participate in discussions and activities, complete a pre-retreat questionnaire, and complete a post-retreat evaluation. The retreat is highly interactive. Artists should be prepared to share information about their work, ask questions, and engage with peers.
Registration fees and lunch during the Retreat will be provided. Additional expenses related to participating in the Retreat are the participant’s responsibility. Participants may apply to the Artist Professional Development Grant for additional financial support consideration.
Selection Priorities
A mix of disciplines and geographies will be considered to ensure a dynamic cohort. Priority may be given to artists without access to similar regional professional development opportunities, artists from rural communities, and artists who demonstrate readiness to actively engage in peer learning.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be:
An individual artist (visual, performing, literary, film, interdisciplinary, folk & traditional arts, etc.)
18 years of age or older
A current full-time Iowa resident
Actively engaged in artistic practice
Artists at various career stages are welcome to apply.
Application Process
Review Process
Submitted applications are reviewed by staff for completion, eligibility, and adherence to published guidelines. Applications are reviewed as submitted, provided that IEDA may contact applicants if any additional information is required. New application information or subsequent application clarification submitted after a program deadline is not considered unless requested by an IEDA program manager. A determination as to eligibility or completeness is final agency action.
Application Submission
Applicants must submit applications via the Iowa Arts Council’s SlideRoom, an online application portal. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Late, incomplete or ineligible applications will not be accepted. Applicants can access the current online application requirements at iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com. Applicants must create a login to view the full application requirements for the program. Applicants can visit help.liaisonedu.com for assistance related to the online submission. 
Application Questions and Scoring Rubric
The Iowa Artist Retreat program scoring rubric will be used by the reviewers to evaluate program applications. The following application questions are provided for reference only. Applicants must review and complete application requirements in the SlideRoom portal. Each section has criteria and corresponding point values to ensure unbiased review process. The rubric is on a scale of 20 points.
Applicant Profile Narrative (5 Points Possible)
Describe the applicant’s artistic practice and career, including:
Type of artwork(s) created including concepts and medium(s) used
Notable achievements in artistic career or practice
How the artwork or practice is typically presented to the public.
| Score | 5 | 3 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Applicant demonstrates an active practice with strong capabilities in concept and form, and deliberate efforts to make work accessible to the public. Career progress is demonstrated through a record of relevant, notable achievements. | Applicant describes practice, concept, form of work and career progress with some public access identified and some relevant notable achievements. | Career activity, concept and form of work are unclear or inadequate. The public does not have regular access to work. Applicant does not identify career progress through relevant notable achievements. |
Artistic Practice Goal (5 Points Possible)
Briefly describe why now is the right time to engage in the professional development opportunities offered by this program and what you hope to learn.
| Score | 5 | 3 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Applicant demonstrates clear readiness to engage in professional development. The identified goal will clearly advance the applicant’s artistic practice or creative business in Iowa. | Applicant demonstrates an interest in professional development. The identified goal may advance the applicant’s artistic practice or creative business in Iowa. | Applicant does not demonstrate a readiness to engage in professional development. It is unclear how the goal will advance the applicant’s artistic practice or creative business in Iowa. |
Work Samples (5 Points Possible)
Upload 3-5 media samples that demonstrate the quality of the applicant’s artistic work. Artistic work samples must represent artistic work or performance. Artistic work samples do not include bios, testimonials, news articles, or marketing material such as brochures, fliers, or posters.
Provide 3-5 items.
Video and audio files should not exceed three minutes each. 
PDF files should not exceed three pages each. 
Each PDF should only represent one work sample (i.e. one poem would be considered one work sample).
Panelists will not be required to view more than three pages of a work sample or more than three minutes of an audio or video file. 
Include a description with each sample, including:
Title of the sample
Date of the work or activity
Names of artist(s) featured if applicable
If an audio or video sample is longer than three minutes, indicate the segment the panel should view.
If a visual art sample, note the artistic medium being presented in the sample and the dimensions of the actual piece.
| Score | 5 | 3 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Work samples are of high quality and clearly demonstrate exceptional capabilities in artistic concept and form. | Work samples are of average quality and demonstrate some capabilities in artistic concept and form. | Work samples are of poor quality or demonstrate inadequate capabilities in concept and form. |
Overall Application (5 Points Possible)
The following scoring criteria reference the quality of the proposal and application as a whole and not a particular question.
| Score | 5 | 3 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Proposal clearly meets the goals for the program; case for support is exemplary and merits investment from the state. | Proposal meets the goals for the program and case for support is average. | Proposal does not meet the goals for the program; case for support is below average or does not merit state investment. |
Glossary of Terms and Definitions
Applicants should refer to the glossary for clarification of program terms and definitions.