“Great community involvement and support” is one of ten hallmarks of the best fine art and design shows, according to Sunshine Artist, a magazine for professional artists and festival developers. That’s certainly the case with ArtSplash, which seems to bring out the best in everyone, from generous sponsors and donors to a steering group of dedicated committee chairs, over 400 community volunteers, Sioux City Art Center staff, and the 35,000 children and adults who attend the festival each Labor Day on the Sioux City riverfront.

Community volunteers make sure the festival runs smoothly. For example, in 2009 more than 300 area volunteers contributed their unique talents and nearly 4,000 hours of their time to prepare for and implement the event. Although most of those hours were accumulated in August and September, thirty-two ArtSplash Steering Committee members, businesses providing in-kind services, and a number of other volunteers worked throughout the year to prepare for the festival.

ArtSplash is self-supporting. Income from festival operations and cash and in-kind contributions from the community fund each year’s event and contribute to the educational programs at the Sioux City Art Center. For the 2009 festival, expenses totaled approximately $147,000, with $23,00 of that used to pay for family-centered entertainment. Income totaled slightly over $145,000 with $40,000 coming from cash contributions. Area businesses, organizations, and individuals also contributed significant in-kind services, such as professional signage, graphic arts and media services, transportation, and food and beverages. ArtSplash also gives back to area non-profits.  In 2009, twenty-seven non-profit groups earned over $22,000 dollars for their organizations by helping with children's craft booths, trash collection, set-up, tear-down, or other projects around the festival grounds.

ArtSplash is a project of the Sioux City Art Center. The “prequel” to ArtSplash was the Sioux City Art Fair, which was held over the course of an afternoon in the parking lot of the previous Art Center building. In September 1993, Jackie Baker and Candy Gaskill contracted with the Sioux City Art Center to expand the original art fair into Artsplash, a festival of the arts with an emphasis on family entertainment. In 2000, Jackie Baker shifted from coordinating the festival to serving on the ArtSplash Steering Committee; Candy Gaskill continued as coordinator until the fall of 2006, when her family moved to Indiana. Since then, the ArtSplash Steering Committee has continued to put together an amazing yearly festival with the help of several talented coordinators.  This year, Lisa Verschoor-Matney has stepped in to take the helm!

ArtSplash celebrates the visual and performing arts. Each year, artists from around the country compete for the right to exhibit their work in the juried art show. Approximately 80 artists are selected to take part. During the festival, judges evaluate the artwork exhibited and award $6,250 in cash prizes for Best of Show, Best 2-D, Best 3-D, Excellence, and Festival Favorite winners. Family-oriented performances entertain festival-goers each year as well. Talented performers stroll the crowds and others entertain on the main stage and in the new Children’s Loft area.

Enthusiastic volunteers with a range of talents and interests are needed for work on the 17th Annual ArtSplash Festival. Sponsors and donors interested in supporting ArtSplash with either a cash or in-kind donation are also needed. Please contact the Development Associate at 712.279.6272, ext. 232, or at kkellen@sioux-city.org for more information.