Corrected attendance numbers for Market Day at 4:27 p.m. on 10/11/09
Tucked away in an old brick structure in the south end of the Des Moines’ East Village is an interesting artistic community called the Market Street Media Foundry (MSMF). MSMF was founded by Scott Kubie, a video editor, and his wife, local artist Cat Rocketship, in January of this year when they identified a need for project-based workspace for creatives. “We had a few friends who ran their own creative businesses … we all came together looking for space at the same time and decided, ok, let’s see if we can’t share, pool our resources and get something a little bigger than ourselves.”
The result is MSMF, which Scott describes now as “an open and adaptable workspace for creative types.” Scott’s space is along the lines of a coworking environment, but a bit “rowdier.” Scott told me that it’s not unusual to find MSMF members “hammering things and cutting things and painting things.”
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In addition to providing space for local creative endeavors, Scott’s long term vision for MSMF is to facilitate a change in the attitude of Des Moines’ creative class.
“If you put something together and you get it in the newspaper and if a couple dozen people come out, you know everybody just sings your praises all day long. And that’s good, it’s good to have that can kind of encouragement. But, I also think that what we’re about [at MSMF] is, ok, as soon as it’s done, ‘Great, good job, thanks for all the hard work but it wasn’t good enough. Let’s step it up, let’s make it bigger, lets make it better.’ I think the more that that attitude can pervade the community, I think the more that people are going to have an understanding of what is that we’re doing here … are going to kind of line up with our philosophy a little more.”
Part of the MSMF philosophy is lived out through the events that they host and put on in the space. They are somewhat unique, somewhat provocative, and, in their first year of operation, off to a good start.
For example, Scott describes the Drink and Draw bring-your-own-beer figure drawing evenings, “we have a nude model and you bring your own beer and bring your drawing pad.” Another is the Market Day event they host monthly May through November. “It’s a monthly market for crafters, makers, artists, painters — anyone who physically produces something — to come sell it. Low key, it’s only $20, which is less than half the price of even some of the cheapest fairs that you’ll find around.” Market Day has grown from 20 artists at the first event in May to 45 at the most recent one in September. Scott estimates that somewhere between 800-1,200 people have attended each of the Market Day events.
Some would call that success, but Scott would tell you that it’s not good enough and if he and MSMF members step it up, it will be even better next time.
Market Street Media Foundry is located on East 4th Street near the corner with Market Street in the south end of Des Moines’ East Village. You can find out more on the web at marketstreetmediafoundry.com or follow them on Twitter at @MSMF.
