Mainframe Studios

Mainframe Studios is a nonprofit building in downtown Des Moines that rents affordable studio space to artists. The building holds 180 studios supporting more than 220 artists across 30-plus disciplines, including glass blowing, painting, sculpture, fashion design, ceramics, jewelry, game development, photography and printmaking. It is described as the nation's largest nonprofit building for creative workspaces.

Most of the studios are open to visitors during public hours on Tuesday through Saturday, and the monthly First Friday open studio event brings crowds through the building with artist-led workshops and gatherings. Mainframe also runs public art vending machines around downtown and offers venue rentals and tours. The building is at 900 Keosauqua Way on the north side of downtown.