News Archives - Page 40 of 43 -

DMEHA Receives Iowa Arts Council Cultural Heritage Project Grant

Des Moines European Heritage Association is pleased to announce that it has received an Cultural Heritage Project Grant from the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Grant funds will support Yuletide Hall at Christkindlmarket Des Moines, November 30 – December 2, 2018.

Cultural Heritage Project Grants create opportunities for cultural growth in Iowa by investing in community projects that positively impact the cultural vitality of the state, demonstrate public value and support quality jobs for Iowans. Cultural heritage is defined as the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation, including: customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values. Eligible community projects must include excellent cultural heritage activities, involve collaboration and provide access to Iowans.

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and its three divisions – the Iowa Arts Council, Produce Iowa-State Office of Media Production and the State Historical Society of Iowa – empower Iowa to build and sustain culturally vibrant communities by connecting Iowans to the people, places and points of pride that define our state. The department’s work enables Iowa to be recognized as a state that fosters creativity and serves as a catalyst for innovation where the stories of Iowa are preserved and communicated to connect past, present and future generations.

Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

BySuzanne Hull

CDM2017 Planning Committee Receives Group Governor’s Volunteer Award

The CDM2017 Planning Committee is honored to have been chosen to receive the Group Governor’s Volunteer Award.

We are extremely thankful to those who have given the precious gift of their time. Thank you for your dedication and for contributing your talent.

Awards will be handed out in person during a special recognition ceremony on Tuesday, June 19 at 3:30pm at Southeast Polk High School Auditorium.

BySuzanne Hull

Follow Us On Instagram And Twitter!

Are you on Instagram and Twitter? That’s a good thing, because we are now, too!

Follow us @christmasdesmoines on Instagram and @christmasdsm on Twitter for all of the fun photos and up-to-date news on Christkindlmarket Des Moines.Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

BySuzanne Hull

CDM2016 Planning Committee Receives Group Governor’s Volunteer Award

The CDM2016 Planning Committee is honored to have been chosen to receive the Group Governor’s Volunteer Award.

We are extremely thankful to those who have given the precious gift of their time. Thank you for your dedication and for contributing your talent.

Awards will be handed out in person during a special recognition ceremony on Monday, September 25 at 2pm at Southeast Polk High School Auditorium.

BySuzanne Hull

Arts and Economic Prosperity 5 Study

Over the last 16 months, Bravo Greater Des Moines and more than 65 non-profit arts, culture and heritage organizations in Central Iowa have been participating in the Americans for the Arts Arts and Economic Prosperity 5 study. The final report is complete and Bravo proudly shared Greater Des Moines’ results last night. This data clearly show that the arts mean business for our region:

$185 million in spending
- $71.9 million by the organizations
- $113.1 million by audiences
5,677 full-time equivalent jobs employed by the sector
$16.8 million in government revenue
- $7.46 million – local
- $9.31 million – state

Click here for a full copy of Greater Des Moines’ report and for more information on the national study results and details.

This study lays to rest a common misconception that investment in the arts comes at the expense of economic development. Rather, this study shows that the arts are a vital industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, is a cornerstone of tourism and economic development, and drives a creativity-based economy.
Beyond the intrinsic value of the arts to inspire creativity and engage hearts and minds, arts organizations are also businesses, employing people locally, purchasing goods and services within the community, and supporting the regional economy.
When communities support the arts, they not only enhance quality of life but also invest in economic well-being. The arts are not “nice to have” amenities but are “need to have” economic engines.

BySuzanne Hull

DMEHA Offers Beginning German Language Classes for Adults

Des Moines European Heritage Association invites you to explore the German language during this 10-week beginning German language course for adults (starting Wednesday, August 2, 2017).

During each 90-minute session, you will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics while focusing on grammar and vocabulary.

There will be assigned homework and studying required each week. A textbook and workbook will need to be purchased by the student prior to the beginning of the course in addition to the course fee of $120. These materials will cost approximately $40 and are due at the first class.

This is a non-credit course.

Click here to Register

We will meet at the Grand View University. You may park in the parking lot directly south of the Student Center (Y on the map). Click here for a campus map.

Deadline to register: July 1, 2017

About the Instructor: Steffi Schryver received her Master’s Degree in German and English Education in 2010 from the University of Regensburg in southern Germany. Since then, she has enjoyed working with many types of students teaching both languages. She recently moved to Iowa with her husband and enjoys spending time with him, horses and her dog.

BySuzanne Hull

#CDM2017 Commemorative Mug Design Revealed

We are pleased to reveal the design for the Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 commemorative mug designed by Sabine Voigt and produced by Straub Marketing.

For this year’s mug design, we again collaborated with German designer Sabine Voigt. She previously worked for Rolling Stone Magazine and continues to design mugs for Christmas markets around the world. We chose to incorporate our new logo this year, designed by Lessing-Flynn Advertising.

Straub Marketing is our 2017 Preferred Brand Solutions Vendor. We’re working with them to provide our commemorative mugs this year. Straub Marketing is a complete brand management company specializing in creative, print, promotional, apparel and fulfillment. The Straub team, with over 40 years of industry experience, creates seamless brand strategies, specifically customized by evaluating the organizational, circumstantial or event needs of clients.

Christkindlmarket Des Moines is produced by a non-profit and organized by volunteers. We depend exclusive on our community’s financial support through sponsorships, grants and donations.

Guarantee your commemorative mug with a donation of $25 per mug in pre-sale now through July 1. The mugs can be picked up at the event in December. These commemorative mugs make great stocking stuffers and keepsakes for those of you that collect Christkindlmarket mugs.

Make your donation today!

BySuzanne Hull

Christkindlmarket DSM Mug Unveiling Party

Be one of the first to view Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ 2017 Glühwein mug design at Jasper Winery on Tuesday, April 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Sip the signature drink (warm mulled wine) while shopping a mini market featuring foods and handcrafted items from Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 vendors. Other Jasper wines and Madhouse beer will also be available for purchase.

The first 25 attendees to donate $25 (or more) to guarantee their 2017 mug will receive a goody bag. A limited quantity of commemorative mugs are ordered each year. The mug design will be revealed at 6:30 p.m.

Feeling festive? Bring your own Glühwein mug (0.2 liters) from a past Christmas market.

Admission is free; donations accepted.

Share the event with your Facebook Friends!

Participating vendors include:

Andy Klindt – Demonstrating forged metal winestoppers
Worldly Goods
Three Smooth Stones
The Permanent Collection Letterpress
Indianola Glass Creations – Demonstrating cutting wine bottles for making wine bottle tealights outdoors)
Jett and Monkey’s
Chocolaterie Stam
Sugarplums (Lebkuchen!)
Mucky Duck

ByMike King

Christkindlmarket Des Moines Launches New Look after Strong Debut

DES MOINES, IOWA, Feb. 7, 2017 – More than 23,000 visitors attended the inaugural Christkindlmarket Des Moines in downtown Des Moines last December. Building on this success, the Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA), which created and produces the event, is launching a new logo and branding scheme for the market’s 2017 marketing and communications campaign.

“We were absolutely amazed by the turnout in our first year,” says Suzanne Hull, DMEHA president and founder. “We always believed that people in Iowa and beyond would support and enjoy this type of culturally based holiday event, but the attendance and enthusiasm was incredible. It certainly spurs us on to make it even bigger and better this year.”

The 2017 Christkindlmarket, slated for Dec. 1 to 3, will take place again at Cowles Commons in downtown Des Moines. To help enhance the promotion of the three-day market’s planned improvements in 2017, the association collaborated with the locally based advertising agency, Lessing-Flynn, to help create a stronger visual identity.

“The new logo and overall new look for our branding will help us convey what the market represents – excitement and warmth of the holidays in Iowa’s capital city,” Hull says. “The ‘Christkind’ angel is central to a German-inspired Christmas market and the rich gold color with a dark blue accent also helps set us apart from the traditional red-and-green motif used by so many others.”

For Lessing-Flynn, partnering with a local non-profit organization is nothing new. “As a creative agency, we believe it’s essential to support local opportunities to experience art and culture,” said Lessing-Flynn Vice President, Jessica Held. “Events such as Christkindlmarket Des Moines, which promote diversity and education, are always a worthwhile investment for our community.”

The DMEHA continues to seek volunteers to assist in all of its year-round activities, as well as the. Hull encourages anyone interested in volunteering or becoming a sponsor to visit www.christkindlmarketdsm.com or the group’s Facebook page.

Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 sponsors include: Modern Woodmen of America, Centennial Warehousing Corporation and Grand View University.

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The Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) is a 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit that connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences and that provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

BySuzanne Hull