EVERYONE IS WELCOME
CONNECT WITH US
FIRST FRIDAYS // WORKSHOPS // VOLUNTEER // TOURS // VENUE // CONTACT US
Join Us for First Fridays!
Join Us for First Fridays!
To experience Mainframe at its most active, join us for our First Friday open studio events!
Visit on the First Friday of every month from 5 PM - 8 PM for a night of live music, food, drinks, themed exhibitions, and five floors of artists and unique shopping possibilities.
Guests experience a range of artistic disciplines including fashion, game development, glassblowing, painting, ceramics, and more.
Mainframe is moving to a 2-year rotation schedule to bring in new themes, create more opportunities for artists to submit work, and inspire artists to make new work.
We are leaning into our mission to advance equity and opportunities in the arts and will be celebrating and elevating artforms, makers, and cultures that have been historically excluded. These events will occur outside their traditional month to ensure as many people can participate and that conversations and celebrations continue year-round. Check out the 2025 and 2026 First Friday themes here.
Check out our events page to see
upcoming First Fridays.
Lend your support during our
First Fridays:
Join in the fun!
Participate in First Fridays:
WAYS TO ENGAGE
GET INVOLVED // APPLY
Looking for studio space, exhibit space, or to entertain or feed our guests? Apply to become a cherished and vital part of our community.
GET CREATIVE
Glass blowing, printmaking, painting, to photoshoots, and so much more — join a workshop to explore your creativity.
SCHEDULE A TOUR
Group and School tours, meeting presentations, coordinating custom gifts, demonstrations and workshops.
FIRST FRIDAY EVENTS
A monthly night of live music, food, drink, special exhibitions – plus five floors of artists and unique shopping possibilities!
VENUE RENTAL
Our window lined event space is ready to accommodate your every wish, including locally-made amenities!
VISIT US TO LEARN MORE
Mainframe Studios is open daily. Find out our hours, parking information, take virtual tour, read our FAQs and more…
SCHOOL GROUPS // ADULT GROUPS // CORPORATE OUTINGS
TOURS
DIRECTIONS & PARKING
Thank you for your interest in visiting Mainframe Studios!
BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT AT MAINFRAME STUDIOS
VENUE RENTAL
Contact us.
Mainframe Studios is a financially self-sustaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We aim to create a lasting space where artistic expression is cultivated, protected, and celebrated. Our Mission is to provide affordable workspace and foster creative communities in central Iowa.
FIND US
900 Keosauqua Way
Des Moines, IA 50309
THE BUILDING IS OPEN
M-F // 8 AM - 6:30 PM
Sat-Sun // 10 AM - 5:30 PM