The History
The origin of the Des Moines Art Center is traced to the Des Moines Association of Fine Arts in 1916. In 1933, James D. Edmundson left more than half a million dollars to build a museum. In 1943, plans were drawn for a museum of art. The Des Moines Art Center was the first museum to open after World War II in 1948.
The Art Center Architecture
The Art Center has three connecting buildings, each designed by a notable architect: Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier.
