About the Art Center
The Des Moines Art Center is a museum, art school, and sculpture park open to all. Admission to our galleries is always free.
Established in 1948, the Des Moines Art Center exists to engage and stimulate the communities of Greater Des Moines and beyond. We are home to an exceptional collection of art made between 1500 and the present day. We offer free exhibitions, programs, tours, and lectures at our main campus in Greenwood Park, consisting of three unique buildings designed by world renowned architects Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier. We also oversee the iconic John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Western Gateway Park, which opened in 2009, and provide dozens of art classes for kids, teens, and adults in our amazing studios.
OUR PURPOSE | OUR WHY
The Des Moines Art Center catalyzes meaningful encounters with art and people to build creative, empathetic communities.
OUR MISSION | WHAT WE DO
The Des Moines Art Center stewards an exceptional collection of art and architecture, stimulates profound conversations about art, ideas, and society, and inspires the creativity of new generations of artists.
OUR VISION | OUR ASPIRATION
The Des Moines Art Center aspires to serve as a public forum where artists, visitors, and staff exchange ideas about art, explore the transformative potential of human creativity, and address contemporary issues with the goal of bridging both distances and differences.
OUR VALUES | HOW WE WORK
The Des Moines Art Center operates according to the highest ethical standards. We are accountable to uphold the values of: Equity, Respect, Integrity, Continuous reflection, and Collaboration. These guide our relationships with one another and with our community.
Strategic Plan: 2025 – 2029
As of January 2025, the Des Moines Art Center has embarked on a new, five-year strategic plan. The result of twelve months of dialogue between staff, trustees, and community stakeholders, this plan guides our work as an institution, establishing our core principles and our short- and long-term goals. It also ensures we hold firm to our commitments and remain accountable to ourselves and the public…
Staff and Board of Trustees
The staff and trustees of the Art Center are members of the communities we serve. Meet the teams who carry out the mission and vision of the Des Moines Art Center.
Artwork and Collections
View the best of the Des Moines Art Center at home with our collections website. Discover the magnificent collections as well information about the works, artists, and more.
Annual Reports
Explore a year-in-review of the Art Center’s annual exhibitions, programs, and classes. Review the Art Center “by the numbers” and discover ways to get involved.
The NEWS
The NEWS is published three times a year, highlighting upcoming exhibitions, programs, and classes. Discover new artworks added to the collections, upcoming events, and more.