Mainframe Studios

This is a several floor artist collaborative building with scores of individual artist studios. It's a great stop to take a visitor during a tour of Des Moines, or an activity for yourself on an afternoon. Sometimes there events here. I went to an open house once where many of the artists opened their shops so you could meat the artists and see their studio - and there was music, food...etc in the common areas. But I've also gone during the day when none of the shops are open, but you can still tour all the floors and see much of the art that is exhibited in the hallways.

I came in as a Vendor, I've always driven by this cool building. Finally got to see what’s happening inside (a lot of amazing stuff). Great parking in the lower level (also parking available if you're pulling a trailer), everything is well lit, clean place, freight elevator available, as a dj quick access and unloading, overall great event venue!

Amazing place for artists and art enthusiasts in the heart of Des Moines. Great place to work or check out the various stores located on the premises. Lovely event center for weddings, small conferences, and other events. Love the vibe of this place!

I'm a Des Moines transplant. Some locals suggested I come here for First Friday. What a wonderful experience! It was so interesting to see everyone's craft and grab some unique gifts for my loved ones. The availability of food and drinks while we walked through also elevated the whole experience. I also love the design of the building and the layout. Can't wait for the next one!

If you wonder what’s inside this beautiful downtown building, make time to visit inside. Hundreds of artist studios with monthly First Friday events, fun art + dance classes, photography + more. Host your own events in the “Big Room” an adaptable space w/floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the city - so beautiful day or night.

There are more than 150 artist studios in the building. I believe they hold an open house on the 1st Friday of each month. I really enjoyed meeting the artists and overwhelmed with the number of great pieces on display. There were many more than I could admire in a couple hours. I'm looking forward to going again.

Even on a quiet day (with no events) this space offers plenty to see and is a great portal into the lives of many Des Moines artists.

Did a glass blowing class and my 9 year old got to make an ornament, super cool experience, the instructor was fun and very good at what he was doing. Would definitely like to go back!

What a great place. There is such creative energy throughout. They offer First Fridays, where numerous artist open their studios. You can wander in and out of them and ask the artist questions and see their art. There is usually music on the main level and food/beverages for purchase. They even did a mini golf course one month

Mainframe Studios hit my radar screen when my favorite glass artist (Jesse Bogenrief) closed up his Spencer shop and moved into his spacious Lower Level studio just in time for this building's opening bell. When I'm in town (usually every 3-4 months), I make it a habit of stopping in and saying Hi to Jesse. His new digs are spacious, with lots of room for his furnaces and displays. Lately, I've decided to spread out and see what else is contained within Mainframe Studios. I bought some cool custom post cards from Red Door Press (1st Floor) and recently discovered the paintings and paper of Lainey Beck on the 4th Floor. I also had a chance to attend one of their 1st Friday events (March 2) and thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiastic community vibe and having a chance to further explore the 4th Floor and a few other places on the 1st and the guy next to Jesse. Mainframe Studio is a great community resource and I look forward to many more visits. As the building sits at a unique angle, parking is a bit of a puzzle, but I don't think I'll ever have to walk far to get here.

Wow, when things make our community more vibrant, beautiful, and exciting... I get really happy! Mainframe Studios makes me very happy! Mainframe is a new nonprofit model for permanent affordable workspace for artists of all disciplines. So many rad local artist/businesses in one spot! Red Door Press, and Bozz Prints are just a couple of my faves who I have purchased stuff and worked with before! I was just there today for a DMMC meeting in one of the smaller meeting rooms, it was cozy and comfortable and a perfect spot for meeting! The big rooms for rentals are beautiful and have huge windows! This would be a beautiful space for an event! It's places like this that make me say, WOW I love Des Moines and it's only going to grow!

Stopped in during the weekend of the Art Festival. Really refreshing to see a place like this in DesMoines. Made me curious to learn more about getting a studio. A lot of variety in artists. Saw some great paintings- which is my favorite type of art. Talked to one of the painters about his perspective on working with live models vs pictures. Great conversation about his method in painting on one of the pieces on display. Also talked to a well known photographer in town. Pretty cool that he's at Mainframe. There was a live glass blowing demo in the Lower Level. A lot of artists were around to meet.

So impressed with the space and the art work. You can tell the artists are dedicated and want to engage with the public. First Fridays is a great event that attracts all different backgrounds from artists, art lovers and those like me who appreciate art plus socialising. Lots of studios are open and artists encourage browsing and are eager to talk about their work. It is a welcoming environment, friendly enough for kids. They have food and drinks for sale and some artists have snacks and wine in their studios. Definitely a good way to spend a Friday night and if you want some art, the prices are reasonable, too.

Wander through the maze of artists once a month for First Friday to find that new art piece for your living room or gift for a loved one! PSA: This is a dress cute/nice and get fancy with wine kind of event. Do not go in yoga pants and a sweatshirt (speaking from experience). The parking is quite confusing, but you'll eventually find a spot. The parking under the building appears to be one-way, but there were signs pointing you in both directions, and cars that went on one way had to awkwardly turn around because of how the lot was designed. I would recommend setting it up as a one-way only! We had fun and would go again!

Mainframe Studios is a truly such a gift to the Des Moines community. They have great spaces for local artists to provide us with some incredible art! The event areas are nicely designed and would make hosting an event there really convenient. Wow your party guests with an awesome view of downtown Des Moines while also inviting them into a clean space where you are able to throw the event of your dreams!

What a wonderful idea. While still unfinished, Mainframe is an artist/maker/creator space. With two floors finished and more in the worlds, dozens of creators have found new work spaces to call home. Some are solely personal office/studio spaces while others are regularly open shops (like Red Door Press, who also holds letterpress workshops). Mainframe as a whole opens its doors the first Friday of every month, offering a combination of free + paid food and drink, music, art installations, and more. It's an example of what Des Moines needs. Hopefully in the coming years, Mainframe will help anchor a neighborhood that worth living and working in.

It is always so much fun coming here. There are so many unique family owned businesses to discover. It is even fun just walking the hallways and see the art work that these creative artists have hanging up near their business. We'll be back soon to buy another t-shirt or spend time together as a family at The Knotty Nail.

Very cool place! If your an art lover you gotta stop here. I would suggest watching the glass blowing.

Great venue, attended a wedding reception here and had the opportunity to look at some amazing artist!

What an amazing venue! This is a huge asset to Des Moines! Everyone must check this out!

A hidden gem in Des Moines. This place houses so many wonderful artists. Des Moines is chalk full of great work! Come and take a peak!