In the tapestry of Siobhan Spain’s career, there is one common thread holding it all together: art.

Spain, director of DesMoinesArts Inc., the nonprofit organization behind the new arts incubator to go in at 900 Keosauqua Way, decided early to learn the business side of art in order to better make connections that ultimately help artists further their careers and practice.

“As the youngest of seven children, my family always was incredibly creative,” Spain said. “I know how art has enriched my life, and I love being around creative people and the unexpected outcomes that creative thinking brings. But no one in my family had a business degree, and I realized how well that suits my personality.”

Spain started her job at DesMoinesArts in January. Together with Justin Mandelbaum, the proprietor behind the arts incubator, she is working with the community to assess space needs and secure funding to renovate the 164,000-square-foot, four-floor building. When complete, the incubator will house 187 artist studio spaces, a theater rehearsal space and a kitchen, as well as potential office space for community groups, nonprofits and small startups. Learn more about the project on Page 15.

You grew up in Iowa, but left after graduating from college. Fill us in on that time spent away.
I’m kind of a nomad, so it was a given that I’d go somewhere else. I worked in Iowa City for almost a year but left after my contract was over. I loved the diversity in Iowa City, but I think I needed more because I thrive on it. Santa Fe was a logical step since my sisters and mom lived there. When I was there, I worked for Tom Joyce Blacksmithing in his studio. I then got a job at (contemporary art center) SITE Santa Fe overseeing the daily operations and exhibits. I also worked on the board of a grass-roots arts organization where I met my husband. We moved to Los Angeles together, jobless and on a whim. I’ll never do that again, but at the time it was awesome. I got a communications job with the Los Angeles Times and got to know the community through managing the newspaper’s history center. Right after Tribune Co. bought the paper, I worked with Huntington Library to get the organization to take (the paper’s records). Working there was fantastic, and I actually kept my connection with art through the photographers and writers, who practice a form of art as well. I also sat on a committee at the Santa Monica Museum of Art, organizing its primary fundraiser, and finally, directed a contemporary art gallery in Los Angeles.

What brought you back here?
My husband and I were thinking of finally having a child, and Iowa is closer than Los Angeles to my late father’s family in Boston. We also inherited our family farm. As a landowner, I did not want to contribute to the dead zone. Frances (our daughter) was born here, and because of this, I became more interested in sustainability. My mom is an avid environmentalist, and my dad headed the Conservation Corps here for 15 years. That runs in our family, too, so it was through those connections that I took a job with the Center for Sustainable Communities. I was with that organization for four years, so it’s nice to be back in the art world.

How did you first become aware of this project?
When I first came back, my husband was still in LA. I had less inhibitions after living there, so I networked as much as possible. I went to anything that looked interesting because I wanted to know what Des Moines was about. I met Justin (Mandelbaum) at a networking event at Art 316 through his now-wife, Li Zhao Mandelbaum, who saw I was alone and came up to talk to me. I’ve been friends with them ever since. I was interested in his vision for this when it started five years ago, and he said when he had a building for it, he wanted to bring me on board. We had a lot of time to get to know one another and find out what each brought to the table. 

What do you bring to the table?
It’s kind of funny how all my past experiences have led to this. Even my sustainable building background comes in handy while we’re in renovation mode. I have that in mind when we talk to architects and artists about the build-out, how we can salvage and renew parts of the building. It’s hilarious what a good fit it is. I’m used to high-profile situations. There’s a big vision here, a great plan, and I’m really attracted to that.

What’s your role going to be? What’s expected of you?
Being the director means what I’m used to — wearing a lot of different hats. Being the only paid staff, I get artists through here as much as possible. We’re focusing on more established artists at this point so they can plan their studios and we can plan the build-out accordingly. My role is to find out what they need — what size studios and amenities, so when we’re ready to build out, we have a game plan. Another is helping fund-raise. I’m researching national foundation grants that might be a good fit. I’ve also connected with Design Assign to help us create a new logo, branding and identity for the building. 

Any goals you’ve set both personally and for the organization?
Justin and John (Mandelbaum) are taking a huge lead on fundraising. I help administer grants we’ve already received and help get in touch with national foundations for grants. Another job is trying to connect with enterprising people — with different people who can create something new in the building. This includes education agencies. With the need to provide a different environment for their students, some are interested in creating a program in the building as well. I’m responding to demand. What I hear, I try to talk about until I find the person who has the tools and the expertise to make it happen. If we can get the right people in here to provide it, even better. We’re getting a huge cross section of artists in here. The more diverse, the better — that’s a personal goal for me with this project. 

What else do you enjoy doing outside DesMoinesArts?
I serve on the Des Moines Public Art Foundation Project spaces committee. Aside from that, it’s all about our new house. I also garden. I inherited this amazing yard, so I’m out in it a lot. My daughter is amazing. She likes to move, so doing anything on scooters, bikes, things like that. She loves adventure. My husband acts, so we go see his shows. We bought a house last fall on the south of Gray’s Lake, so our new house has been a nice focus.