The Des Moines Arts Festival is featured and organized by the Des Moines Register. It is started by the Art Center of Des Moines and its producer role is portrayed by the Downtown Events Group. This festival is known to be one of the most top ranked in the city and even the state. It is filled with lots of featured national artists including a non stop live musical performance.

It is composed of about 175 professional artists as jurors along with some new and fresh faces in the Iowa artist groups. It also has exhibitions displaying the works of aspiring art students along with the Interrobang Film Festival. It is composed of about 25 art activities not just for the adults but for the entire family.