Nonprofit Mainframe Studios in Des Moines brings in a new executive director

Paris Barraza, Des Moines Register
·2 min read
Mainframe Studios' five-story façade will be wrapped in a mural called "Critical Mass."
Mainframe Studios' five-story façade will be wrapped in a mural called "Critical Mass."

Mainframe Studios, the nonprofit creative workplace in Des Moines, has announced a new executive director.

Artist and educator Julia Franklin will begin her role as executive director Dec. 1, Mainframe Studios announced in a news release Nov. 6. Currently, Franklin is the community investment specialist at nonprofit Bravo Greater Des Moines and teaches art appreciation at Des Moines Area Community College, according to the news release.

She will assume the position just under five months after former and founding executive director Siobhan Spain's final day at the nonprofit in June.

Julia Franklin comes on board at Mainframe Studios as the executive director on Dec. 1.
Julia Franklin comes on board at Mainframe Studios as the executive director on Dec. 1.

Mainframe Studios is located at 900 Keosauqua Way and is visually identifiable thanks to its vibrant 40,000-square-foot mural that adorns its facade. The nonprofit provides affordable studio spaces for artists across numerous disciplines and hosts artist-led workshops and events open to the public. It opened in 2017.

“I am honored to be the next executive director of Mainframe Studios and have been fortunate to have my own creative space there since 2018,” Franklin said in a news release. “It’s a magical place of experimentation, transformation, and inspiration for so many and where I’ve found a community of support and acceptance. I’m excited to cultivate these opportunities for others and to showcase the power of the arts to spark curiosity, start conversations, and address community issues.”

Franklin taught studio art, critical thinking, and creativity and innovation at Graceland University in Lamoni in addition to her involvement in the construction and operations of The Helene Center for the Visual Arts there. She also served as the Anderson Gallery exhibitions and community engagement manager at Drake University through 2021, according to her website. Franklin was a 2018 Iowa Artist Fellow with the Iowa Arts Council.

More: Q&A: Former director Siobhan Spain on how Mainframe Studios has impacted Des Moines

“We are fortunate to have extraordinary talent in our own backyard,” said Justin Mandelbaum, founder of Mainframe Studios, in the news release. “We interviewed candidates from coast to coast and culturally rich cities from around the country. Many were amazed at what we have created here, and all had impressive credentials, but it was Julia who had everything we wished for and more.”

Mainframe, dubbed the largest nonprofit art studio in the nation, spans 160,000 square feet with more than 220 artists. The studios open their doors to the public every first Friday of the month.

“She’s a passionate advocate for the arts, strategically creative, and committed to elevating Mainframe Studios as a local arts asset. No doubt, the best is yet to come for our 200-plus artists and the economic and cultural impact we believe is possible for our region,” Mandelbaum said.

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Julia Franklin to be new Mainframe Studios executive director