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Alison Saar delivered the 36th installment of the Fingerman Lecture series at the Des Moines Art Center on October 4, 2026. Saar’s work examines the place of the female body in the realms of politics...
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This program featured artist Valentin Noujaïm discussing his exhibition of films at the Des Moines Art Center, in addition to new work and areas of research. This lecture was held in conjunction with the exhibition...
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This program featured a conversation between artist Elle Pérez and Des Moines Art Center Associate Curator Ashton Cooper, in conjunction with the exhibition “Elle Pérez: La Despedida” on view June 25 – November 29, 2026....
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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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The Des Moines Art Center is honored to participate in A Day With(out) Art, joining a national initiative that commemorates World AIDS Day and recognizes the profound impact and enduring resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community’s...
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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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