Save the Date: An Evening of Art for DBQFest

Dubuque County Fine Arts Society Announces 2026 Fundraiser and Call for Art Donations

The Dubuque County Fine Arts Society (DCFAS) announces the date for its 3rd annual fundraiser, An Evening of Art for DBQFest, and invites artists to contribute work to the event’s silent auction in support of DBQFest 2026.

The fundraiser will take place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Dubuque Museum of Art’s Millwork District location, 1000 Jackson Street.

This early announcement serves as both a save the date for the community and a call to artists interested in donating artwork to help sustain Iowa’s longest-running arts festival.

Call for Art Donations
Artists from across the region are invited to donate original artwork to the silent auction benefiting DBQFest. Proceeds from the fundraiser directly support the planning and production of DBQFest 2026, helping keep the festival free and accessible to the public while ensuring artists are paid, supported, and showcased in a high-quality setting.

Artwork donations may include, but are not limited to, visual art, craft, functional work, small-scale sculptures, or unique creative experiences. Artists whose work is selected will be promoted as part of the event and acknowledged for their contribution to DBQFest and the broader arts community.

By donating work, artists directly support not only DBQFest, but also the broader mission of the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society to champion artist compensation, access, and collaboration through community-based arts initiatives.

Artists interested in donating work are encouraged to contact Ali Levasseur, DBQFest Director, for additional details and timelines or visit DBQFest.com to access the online donation submission form. Silent auction donations must be received by Friday, January 9, 2026.

About the Event

An Evening of Art for DBQFest is an intimate winter fundraiser celebrating creativity, connection, and community. Guests can expect an evening featuring cocktails and mocktails, light hors d’oeuvres, live music by Brion Bowman, spoken word performance by Christine Baker, and on-demand poetry created by Oracle Poets, along with a curated silent art auction.

Admission to the event is by free will donation at the door.

Why Support DBQFest

Founded in 1979, DBQFest is Iowa’s longest-running arts festival and a cornerstone of Dubuque’s cultural calendar. Produced by the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society, the festival brings together more than 60 visual artists, live music and theatrical performances, hands-on art activities, and thousands of attendees in downtown Dubuque each summer.

Funds raised through An Evening of Art for DBQFest help ensure the festival remains free and accessible to the public while supporting artists and strengthening the broader arts ecosystem that makes community-centered events like DBQFest possible.

About the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society

The Dubuque County Fine Arts Society (DCFAS) supports collaborative, community-based arts and culture experiences across Dubuque and the surrounding region by serving as their fiscal sponsor and administrative backbone. Through this role, DCFAS helps creatives and grassroots arts groups focus on creating meaningful public work by providing professional support, financial stewardship, and organizational infrastructure.

DCFAS is the producing organization behind DBQFest and also serves as an umbrella organization for multiple community-facing arts and culture initiatives, ensuring that creative projects remain accessible, inclusive, and artist-centered. By investing in both creatives and the systems that support them, DCFAS helps strengthen Dubuque’s cultural ecosystem year-round.

Save the Date

What: An Evening of Art for DBQFest

When: Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 6:00–9:00 p.m.

Where: Dubuque Museum of Art – Millwork District, 1000 Jackson Street, Dubuque, IA

About DBQFest

DBQFest is an annual celebration of the arts in downtown Dubuque, produced by the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society. The festival features exceptional regional artists and makers, live performances, food vendors, and interactive arts experiences for all ages.

DBQFest 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, 2026.

For More Information

Please contact:

Ali Levasseur | DBQFest Director | di******@*********st.org | 307-630-9447

Jenni Petersen-Brant | Board President, Dubuque County Fine Arts Society | in**@***as.org | 402-217-0015