The Art Center offers free educational resources for families, individuals, and educators. Explore artist talks, gallery guides, hands-on activities, and more.
The 2026 Toni and Tim Urban Artist-in-Residence supported an incredible live performance of “The Fall,” an animated film by French artist Christine Rebet. Rebet’s film was created in collaboration with Simone Harris, a descendent of...
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Henry Payer (the Des Moines Art Center’s 2026 Iowa Artist) regularly mines local historical archives for cultural materials that inform his artwork — bridging his Ho-Chunk heritage, American history, and the relationship between past and...
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This program features a conversation between Maria Lassnig’s longtime steward and collaborator Hans Werner Poschauko and Des Moines Art Center’s Associate Curator Ashton Cooper, in conjunction with the exhibition “Honey, You’re a Wonderful Model: Maria...
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This program features a conversation between artist Henry Payer and Art Center Associate Curator Beth Gollnick, in conjunction with Payer’s 2026 Iowa Artists exhibition “Aagakinąk Haciwi: We Live Opposite Each Other,” on view January 17...
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Call for Participation: Community Animation Showcase Register for the free screening May 9, 2026 The Des Moines Art Center is now accepting submissions for a Community Animation Showcase, highlighting the creativity of local animators, in...
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The past called—it wants to be in our photo album. VIEW COMMUNITY PHOTO ALBUM You are invited to share personal or found 1970s – 1980s snapshots with your own creative Bill Owens inspired titles for...
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Recorded on October 26, 2025 at the Des Moines Art Center, this panel discussion: “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations” features Aurelia Álvarez Urbajtel (Director of the Manuel Álvarez Bravo Foundation in Mexico City), Aliza Nisenbaum (2024-25...
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Presented in recognition of LGBTQ+ History Month, Ben Millett, the Des Moines Art Center’s 2025 Iowa Artist (exhibition dates July 26 – November 2, 2025), delivered a public lecture on October 16, 2025. In this...
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Recorded on July 16, 2025 at the Des Moines Art Center. This lecture features internationally recognized scholar, curator, and critic Tiffany E. Barber discussing the origins and aesthetics of Afrofuturism in relation to artist Firelei...
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Recorded on June 13, 2025 at the Des Moines Art Center. This lecture features a conversation between artist Firelei Báez and John and Mary Pappajohn Director and CEO Kelly Baum in celebration of Báez’s solo,...
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