The Octagon Art Shop offers original, hand-crafted works of art by more than 175 local and regional artists. Two galleries feature a variety of exhibits ranging from local to international. Classes and workshops for adults as well as children as young as 18 months let everyone explore their creativity.

The Octagon also hosts the Octagon Art Festival the fourth Sunday in September each year. On September 27, 2009, about 120 artists will display and sell their creations, two entertainment stages will feature performing arts, children's crafts will keep the younger set involved, colleges and universities will promote art education, healing arts will be demonstrated, and local vendors will tempt with their culinary creations. It's the largest annual event held in the Ames Main Street Cultural District.

The Octagon Center for the Arts was established in 1966 as a community arts center, originally housed in a 100-year-old octagon-shaped building that gave the center its name. Since then, the Octagon has expanded to become a comprehensive community arts center located in an historic four-story building at the corner of Douglas Avenue and Fifth Street in the heart of the Ames Main Street Cultural District.