You step into the Des Moines Art Center. Then you step into space. Then you step into a trippy elevator.

• The center's newest exhibit, aptly called "Immersive," will bring you on a journey into different worlds, thanks to a combination of video projections, sound and physical art.

Driving the news: The exhibit opens tomorrow and takes a page from the "immersive" art trend that's growing, like the Van Gogh experience coming to Des Moines this year.

How it works: Visitors follow a dark path that guides them from room to room.

• There are four different exhibits — two featuring art from the center's permanent collection and two new pieces for the exhibit.

In one room, Matthew Willie Garcia, a Kansas City-based artist, combines paper art, video projection and sound to bring the viewer on a "destabilizing," but "transcendent" experience through the Big Bang and space.

In another room by popular Des Moines artist Oyoram, viewers find themselves waiting outside of an elevator simulation that's created via LED monitors.

• But once they step in — they're brought up seven stories, each with their own unique themes and meaning.

The big picture: The inspiration for "Immersive" stemmed from the pandemic in 2020, said Laura Burkhalter, the curator.

• Because she couldn’t travel to find art, she reminisced on pieces she wanted to show again from the permanent collection and it grew from there.
• "I was wanting to be away from my living room — all of us feeling cooped up," Burkhalter said. "It led me to focus on these beautiful pieces and the idea just grew and grew."

💭 Linh's thought bubble: The elevator felt so real, I was motion sick! (100% worth it.)

Where to find it: "Immersive" runs through June 5 at 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines.

• Entry is free. Hours are here.

Tomorrow will mark the first time since 1860 that Des Moines is permanently without a daily print newspaper.

What's happening: The Des Moines Register ends its regular Saturday print edition this week, transitioning that coverage to an electronic format.

Why it matters: It's another page in our nation's local news rebirth as more Americans move to digital products.

State of play: Gannett — the Register's corporate owner and the nation's largest newspaper chain — is ceasing Saturday print editions in 136 markets this month. That's more than half of the media company's newspapers.

Catch up fast: Newspapers were once the sole means of accessing news, DSM Register editor Carol Hunter noted in a January letter to subscribers.

• The industry's financial fortunes and subscriber base have eroded since the mid-2000s while website traffic is growing, according to the Pew Research Center.

By the numbers: U.S. newspapers' weekday circulation has fallen 61% since 1989, according to Pew. The estimated total in 2020 was 24.3 million.

• Average monthly unique visitors to newspaper websites have climbed by 68% since 2014 — to just under 14 million.

What to watch: Local news sources are expanding via ethnic media outlets, nonprofits and corporate news startups.

The bottom line: Local news still matters but how we get it is changing.

Iowa will spend an estimated 32 cents per resident in state art agencies funding for the ongoing fiscal year that ends in June, according to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.

• Only Wisconsin, Arizona, Kansas and Georgia are projected to spend less per capita.

The $1.5 million budget needs to more than double to push Iowa into the nation's middle spot, according to the group's online research tool.

View the interactive map

⚽️ Get the ball rolling. Check out these openings from our Job Board.

1. Senior lead communications consultant at Wells Fargo.
2. Senior associate, marketing lead management at KPMG.
3. Headstart early childhood specialist at ICF.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a Job.

If your kid is dreaming of doing some gnarly tricks — good news, they could be eligible for a free skateboard.

Driving the news: Skate DSM is trying to get younger people into skateboarding through its new "Get On Board Project."

• The group is giving out 500 free, high-quality skateboards, helmets and instruction to eligible kids in the metro area, thanks to funding efforts led by Virginia Lauridsen — one of the namesakes of the Lauridsen Skatepark.

The big picture: Des Moines' skating scene has popped off thanks to the new skatepark. Just stop by on a weekend and see its popularity.

• The new program will help remove a financial barrier and draw younger people into the sport.

Who is eligible: Students in grades K-8 who attend a public or private school in Polk, Dallas or Warren counties.

How to get one: Families can apply for a skateboard through Skate DSM's website. Applicants must apply by April 22.

• Skateboards will be given out after school on May 6, the day before the one-year anniversary of the Lauridsen Skatepark opening.
• Location is TBD.

Apply

Our budget-friendly guide last week generated a few reader tips worthy of your time.

🏷 Estate/tag sales: Multiple metro companies specialize in estate and tag sales.

• Charles Hoffman of Urbandale recommends following them on social media or looking for their listings under "garage sale" on Craigslist.
• A Housefull
• Boomers Tag and Estate Sales
• Pat Jones Tag Sales
• AOK Tag Sales

🏄‍♀️ Curb surfing: Spring clean-up days in Urbandale are the ultimate way to land free goodies like furniture and garden finds, Amanda Jones of DSM told us.

• Plan your route: Surfing is staggered throughout the city in May.

👚 Nonprofit thrifts: Thrift stores run by nonprofits provide bargains and the money you spend goes to community causes, former first lady of DSM Patty Daniels told us. She provided a list of some of her favorites:

• St. Vincent de Paul
• Habitat for Humanity Restore
• Salvation Army
• Animal Lifeline