The Art Center offers free educational resources for families, individuals, and educators. Explore artist talks, gallery guides, hands-on activities, and more.
Kevin Smith was first exposed to Tai Chi over 20 years ago when living in D.C. Initially, he was frustrated with his perceived lack of progress and gave up on practicing. But 10 years later, he decided to give it another shot, this time feeling committed and ready.
Read More
In this lecture, artist Joyce J. Scott offers a candid talk about her life and work.
Watch
On a quiet Monday morning in June, Eric Heininger got up to get ready for work as if it was any other day. However, instead of heading straight to the office, he found himself at the Art Center at 5:20 am.
Read More
In this lecture, Franklin Sirmans will talk about how this unique backdrop has played, and continues to play, a key role in how the museum defines its mission and vision in the 21st Century.
Watch
It is hard to believe it’s been ten years since the Art Center and the City of Des Moines opened the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in the Western Gateway. Since its opening, we have...
Download
When Mary Ellen first heard about the My Museum Monday program, she was eager to participate and came up with a plethora of ideas. As an artist herself, she wanted to use this opportunity to bring her imagination to life, and that’s exactly what she did. Having always been drawn to the dark and lonely themes present in Edward Hopper’s work, she dressed up as the woman in Automat (1927), on display at the Art Center.
Read More
David J. Getsy, Professor of Art History at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, discusses the ways in which some queer artists have addressed the problem of representation by pursuing abstraction.
Watch
For Des Moines Art Center member Kristie Bell, cross stitching is “very soothing and serves as a way to quiet [her] mind.” Naturally, when asked how she would spend three hours alone in the museum, she wanted to cross stitch a replica of a famous work on display.
Read More
Since its founding, the Des Moines Art Center has acquired artworks by many African-American artists to ensure an inclusive and diverse permanent collection. For example, the Art Center’s forerunner, the Des Moines Association of Fine...
Download
In her talk, Feldman will discuss the dramatic potential of wonder and empathy in today's turbulent world.
Watch