2026 Applications Apply by March 1. Emerging & Guest Artist Programs!
The 29th annual Northeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour (NIAST Inc.) applications to exhibit are now available to area artists. Open link for an application to download and print or go to www.iowaarttour.com, click on the events/news tab, or contact Darla Ellickson at darla@earloops.com or 563-382-2295. For more information about the additional Emerging and Guest Artist information sheet click here or below link.
The 2026 Tour takes place October 9, 10 & 11, 2026. Studios are open 10 to 5 daily.
Media considered is limited to Fine Art and Fine Craft. Items include: Painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, clay/ceramics, wood, glass, metal, printmaking, mixed media, handmade paper, fiber, etc. as appropriate at Fine Art Fairs. All works must be original in concept and design and must have been executed by the applicant: works from molds or kits, commercial or manufactured items, and buy/sell are not permitted. Tour exhibitors qualify as “fine artists,” meaning, “They possess the skill to expand and adapt even a high-end craft with individual vision.” Artist’s applications to participate are juried, and selected for their work’s technique, quality, and vision, and their studios must reside within 40 miles of Decorah, in Iowa. Postmark deadline for submitting an application is March 1, 2026.
The self-guided Tour is specially timed to enjoy the fall color and travels in scenic northeast Iowa, for a behind-the-scenes view into the Artists’ personal workspace.
New and exciting exhibiting options for the 2026 Tour is to participate if you are either an Emerging Artist, from within the area or Guest Artist, from outside the area. Following our mission statement, both will be required to display tools and discuss the techniques utilized in the creation of their art. For more information see the additional Emerging and Guest Artist information sheet.
Emerging Artist is classified as someone who’s already producing work consistently but hasn’t yet achieved widespread recognition. This is designed to support emerging visual artists who are at the beginning of their careers and have limited experience exhibiting and selling their work, at a reduced exhibition fee. The goal is to provide experience so they may exhibit in their own studio in the future. Emerging Artists must be 18 years old or older, and have/obtain an Iowa sales tax number. You may be an Emerging Artist only once.
The Guest Artist, living outside of the NIAST area, must be 18 years old or older and have/obtain an Iowa sales tax number. Only one Emerging or Guest allowed per Artist location. Only juried Artists allowed onsite. Find an accepted NIAST Artist to host you, and apply.
The 2025 event featured15,000+ brochures, complete with detailed map with GPS to studio locations, are distributed in many ways, including: being personally handed-out by the touring Artists throughout the country; through a bulk-mailing of almost 5,000 brochures to the pre-qualified mailing lists of the Artists; to special requests to area Tourism venues; and from the tour drawing cards requesting information. The website www.iowaarttour.com includes PDF downloads of the brochure to print, plus so much more: more images of artwork, places to eat and stay on your “art”venture, and an interactive google map to visit all the studios!
2025 Tour was made possible by Sponsors: Darla and Glen Ellickson of Ellickson Jewelry Studio & Gallery, Dave and Brenda Carlson, Allamakee County Economic Development & Tourism, Decorah Bank and Trust, Viking State Bank/Waukon State Bank, and Inspire(d) Media. Friends of the Arts included: Douglas Cole – Art Pottery, Paul Corbin – Pottery, Elea Jourdan – Fiber/Santas, Citizens Savings Bank – Spillville/Fort Atkinson/Protivin and New Albin Savings Bank. Patron of the Arts: A&J Petersburg Agency, Melissa Brown – Fiber/Weaving, Jackie Jirak Wright – Woodcarving, and Frances Garst-Kittleson – Bookbinding/Mixed Media. In-kind Tour sponsors: Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, Julie Strom Photography, and KCZQ Radio, and LA Communications, plus ad support from area hotels, cabins, B & B’s and restaurants. Brochures are distributed through area businesses, participating artists’ client mailing lists and at art shows.
If you are interested in supporting area Tourism and the Arts by becoming a Sponsor, Advertiser, Friend, or Art Supporter, contact Glen Ellickson at 563-419-6963. 2026 brochures will be available in July.
