The Art Center offers free educational resources for families, individuals, and educators. Explore artist talks, gallery guides, hands-on activities, and more.
Welcome to the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, an extension of the Des Moines Art Center. There are many ways to learn: start with a question, create, explore your passions and interests, challenge norms,...
Download
Inspire learning through a step-by-step exploration of art at the Des Moines Art Center. Bring the galleries into your home or classroom, igniting your students’ imaginations and creativity. All lesson plans are open ended, adaptable,...
Download
Este programa de audioguía de 20 minutos convierte su visita a la galería en una experiencia llena de paz, inspiradora y de meditación. Al escuchar y seguir las amables indicaciones proporcionadas, verá las obras de...
Read More
Inspire learning through a step-by-step exploration of art at the Des Moines Art Center. Bring the galleries into your home or classroom, igniting your students’ imaginations and creativity. All lesson plans are open ended, adaptable,...
Download
Being with Art is a peaceful guided audio tour grounded in mindfulness and slow-looking practices. Experience art with a new awareness by using the gentle prompts in this 20-minute audio exercise. LISTEN
Read More
Former Associate Curator Jared Ledesma was struck by visual and thematic parallels between Chitra Ganesh’s work Urgency (2020) and a long-term loan to the Art Center, Leonor Fini’s La Gardienne des Phoenix (1952) and invited...
Watch
Transforming the Art Center in the 21st Century, a comprehensive campaign in celebration of the Art Center’s upcoming 75th anniversary in 2023, announced its public phase in the fall of 2021. In July of 2019,...
Download
Former Art Center Associate Curator Jared Ledesma reviews many the exhibition Manos: Selections of Latin American Art from the Des Moines Art Center’s Collection as well as a new addition to the collection, Hermano y...
Watch
Justin Favela shares significant touch points about his artistic motivations, influences, and explorations, ending in a description of his exhibition at the Des Moines Art Center, Justin Favela: Central American.
Watch
After a frenetic and productive summer, the Art Center is gearing up for an adventurous and busy fall. Justin Favela’s exhibition, Central American, continues to enthrall visitors with his take on the traditional Mexican piñata,...
Download