Des Moines Art Center

2025 Gala: Chiaroscuro
2025-09-20 18:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago) | IA
You’re invited to experience a night of art and celebration at the 2025 Des Moines Art Center Gala, an extraordinary event to support the Art Center in style! Enjoy an elegant cocktail reception before an exquisite dining experience in the Krause Gateway Center. Create unforgettable memories with fellow art enthusiasts as you dance the night away.
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Cocktail Hour | 6 pm
Dinner and Dessert l 7:30 pm
Dancing and Music | 9 – 11 pm
Your support of this dynamic event ensures the Art Center remains free and accessible to everyone, every day. With your help, we will continue to offer engaging exhibitions and exciting educational programs, building an inclusive space that stimulates creative, critical, and empathetic thinking.
2025 Gala Sponsorships are available now. Guarantee tickets to the event and maximize your brand by becoming a sponsor today. To pledge your support, please email Senior Director of Development Caleb Hegna at chegna@desmoinesartcenter.org or call 515.271.0338.
Patron packages ($2,700 per pair or $1,350 for an individual) and Individual tickets ($300) are on sale now!
PURCHASE TICKETS
For more information or questions about the gala, please contact Gala and Development Events Coordinator Jess Lane at jlane@desmoinesartcenter.org or 515.271.0336.
Photo: Cameron Campbell
chi·a·ro·scu·ro
/kyärəˈsko͝orō/ noun
__________
The juxtaposition between light and dark in a pictorial work of art, from Italian, “chiaro” clear, light + “oscuro” obscure, dark.
At the Des Moines Art Center Chiaroscuro Gala, glamour and mystery intertwine to captivate partygoers at the black-and-white masquerade.

Guided Tour: Blue Star Welcome Week for Service Members, Veterans, and Military Families
2025-09-27 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
In celebration of Blue Star Welcome Week, the Art Center is offering a free guided tour titled “Sailor, Soldier, Airman, Artist.” Join us for this themed tour that asks the question, “How did the military experience influence mid-century modern artists?” with artist features such as Ellsworth Kelly (WWII), Sam Francis (WWII), or b. Robert Moore (son of a Vietnam veteran).
The Des Moines Art Center is a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission every day to everyone. Hosting this guided tour during Blue Star Welcome Week, seeks to build support for the 600,000 military families who move to new communities each year. We invite all military personnel and family members to attend, whether new to the Des Moines community or not, to enjoy an afternoon at the Art Center.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
b. Robert Moore (American, born 1983)
“Kin to War” (detail), 2023
Acrylic, charcoal, saw dust, Ethiopian coffee, Ethiopian coffee burlap, polyurethane, oil pigment on Belgian Linen
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Purchased with funds from the Edmundson Art Foundation, Inc., 2023.24
Photo: Rich Sanders

“Aliza Nisenbaum: Día de los Muertos” Exhibition Tour
2025-10-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Aliza Nisenbaum is known for her vibrantly colored, large-scale portraits. She describes her paintings as a “montage of points in time.” Rather than depicting a specific moment, they capture the essence of the community she paints.
Last fall, the Art Center invited Nisenbaum to meet with pivotal Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) committee, learn about the event’s history, and photograph the 2024 celebration, as part of her two-year residency as the Toni and Tim Urban International Artist-in-Residence. View the exhibition and learn more about the works in “Aliza Nisenbaum: Día de los Muertos” during this guided tour.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Aliza Nisenbaum (Mexican and American, lives and works in New York, NY, born 1977)
“Mantilla” (detail), 2025
Oil on canvas
Courtesy of the artist, Anton Kern Gallery, and Regen Projects

“Robert Rauschenberg: Currents, 1970" Exhibition Tour
2025-10-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
This exhibition features 17 large-scale prints and a related sound piece from Robert Rauschenberg’s “Currents” series of 1970. Join us in the John Brady Print Gallery for a guided tour of the show.
During a tumultuous political moment in the US, the artist conceptualized the “Currents” project as an experience of immersion and overstimulation meant to jar viewers into action. “Currents” refers to current events as much as forces of nature — ocean currents, electrical currents — phenomena that can sweep someone away or jolt them into attention.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Robert Rauschenberg (American, 1925 – 2008)
“Surface Series 52, from ‘Currents”’ (detail), 1970
Screenprint on paper
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Gift of Lawrence Zicklin, New York, 1983.62.15
Photo: Rich Sanders

Gallery Talk: “Aliza Nisenbaum: Día de los Muertos” with Elizabeth Gollnick and Vince Valdez
2025-10-12 13:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join Associate Curator Elizabeth Gollnick and longtime member of the Art Center’s Day of the Dead committee, Vince Valdez, for an engaging gallery talk that looks at Aliza Nisenbaum’s exuberant painting exhibition. As curator of the exhibition, Gollnick will speak about the residency in which Nisenbaum conceived of the Day of the Dead premise for the works, and Valdez, a photographer and documentarian who has contributed to the visuals and storytelling of the honorees for numerous Day of the Dead events, will offer his experiences being involved with the celebration at the Des Moines Art Center.
Aliza Nisenbaum is the 2024-2025 Toni and Tim Urban International Artist-in-Residence.
Free; no registration required.

Connecting Through Art (Adults Impacted by Parkinson’s)
2025-10-21 14:00 - 15:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
The Des Moines Art Center is partnering with the American Parkinson Disease Association to offer classes specifically for adults of any age impacted by Parkinson’s Disease. Connecting Through Art uses creativity to help improve motor skills, boost emotional well-being, and enhance cognitive function. Sessions are split into two days, an art-making day taking place at a separate studio location in the Des Moines area, and an afternoon in the Des Moines Art Center galleries to discuss art and learn.
The gallery sessions will take place on the third Tuesday of every month at 2 pm and will take a conversational deep dive looking at one work of art, with a break for some gentle chair yoga mid-session. Participants are welcome to bring a caregiver. The docent-led gallery talk is followed by an informal gathering with coffee and tea. This program is free and registration is required.
REGISTER

Member Event: Exclusive Artist Talk with Aliza Nisenbaum
2025-10-23 17:30 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
In appreciation of your generous Director’s Circle membership and commitment to the Des Moines Art Center we are pleased to invite you and your special guests to join John and Mary Pappajohn Director and CEO, Kelly Baum, for an exclusive gallery talk and reception with visiting artist Aliza Nisenbaum. Nisenbaum is the 2024-2025 Toni and Tim Urban International Artist-in-Residence. Her work is featured in the current exhibition “Aliza Nisenbaum: Día de los Muertos,” curated by Art Center Associate Curator Beth Gollnick.
Nisenbaum is known for her vibrantly colored, large-scale portraits. She describes her paintings as a “montage of points in time” — rather than depicting a specific moment, they capture the essence of the community she paints. Inspired by her visits to the Des Moines Art Center during the fall of 2024, Nisenbaum created five paintings to commemorate the 25-year history of the Día de los Muertos celebration at the museum.
After the talk, enjoy an exclusive preview of the “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations” exhibition before it opens, mingle with fellow Art Center patrons, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks by the Art Center Café.
Registration required by October 16. Space is limited. Director’s Circle members, register by emailing Jess Lane, Gala and Development Events Coordinator, at jlane@desmoinesartcenter.org.
Aliza Nisenbaum (Mexican and American, lives and works in New York, NY, born 1977)
“Mantilla” (detail), 2025
Oil on canvas
Courtesy of the artist, Anton Kern Gallery, and Regen Projects

Exhibition Opening Celebration: “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations” and “Aliza Nisenbaum: Dia de los Muertos”
2025-10-24 17:00 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join us for the opening celebration of “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations” in the Anna K. Meredith Gallery! Manuel Álvarez Bravo is sometimes called the father of Mexican photography, but he did not reach the heights of his field on his own. He achieved his place in history through conversations and connections with some of the greatest minds of the 20th century in Mexico and abroad. With over 100 photographs and ephemera, this exhibition illustrates that working with others was a central part of the artist’s creative process.
This event will also celebrate the exhibition, “Aliza Nisenbaum: Día de los Muertos,” open through January 11 in the A. H. Blank Gallery. Last fall, the Art Center invited Nisenbaum to meet with pivotal members of the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) committee, learn about the event’s history at the museum, and photograph the 2024 celebration, as part of her two-year term as the Toni and Tim Urban International Artist-in-Residence. Inspired by her visits to the Des Moines Art Center, Nisenbaum created five paintings to commemorate the 25-year history of the Día de los Muertos celebration at the museum.
Bring family and friends to view the artwork, and kick off the evening with complimentary lite bites from The Cheese Shop and desserts from The Tangerine Food Company. Beer and wine available for purchase. Live music provided by DJ Richie Daggers. Remarks from Kelly Baum, John and Mary Pappajohn Director and CEO, will take place at 6 pm.
This event is free; registration is not required. This event will be documented with photography.
Support for “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations” is provided by:

Jacqueline and Myron Blank Exhibition Fund
Richard L. Deming, M.D.
Manuel Álvarez Bravo (Mexican, 1902 – 2002)
“Caja de visiones (Box of Visions)” (detail), 1931
Gelatin silver print
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Purchased with funds from Craig and Kimberly Shadur, 2024.11
Photo: Rich Sanders

“Iowa Artists 2025: Ben Millett” Exhibition Tour
2025-11-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Learn more about the 2025 Iowa Artists exhibition at the Des Moines Art Center, featuring local quilt maker Ben Millett. Based in Des Moines, Millett’s approach to textiles is literally multi-layered, employing traditional quilting techniques to create works that combine original patterns, a bright palette, and visual nods to queer iconography and activism. “Iowa Artists 2025: Ben Millett” is a timely and groundbreaking entry into the Art Center’s decades-long series presenting the best of Iowa-made art, and the first solo show by a quilt maker in the museum’s history.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Ben Millett (American, born 1979)
“It’s Electric!,” 2024
Cotton fabric and thread, wool batting; quilted by machine
Courtesy of the artist

Day of the Dead / Día de Los Muertos
2025-11-02 11:00 - 15:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Day of the Dead: Celebrating 25 Years of Día de los Muertos at the Des Moines Art Center
Join us for the 25th anniversary of Día de los Muertos at the Des Moines Art Center — one of our most beloved and popular celebrations of the year. This milestone honors not only the lives we’ve lost, but also the unifying spirit of the holiday and the community members who have built and sustained this event with vision and care.
Enjoy live music and dance performances, food and art vendors, hands-on activities, a Catrina costume showcase (learn more about how to participate), a short documentary film tribute, and our annual community ofrenda (on view in the Macomber Lobby through November 16). Free Mexican hot cocoa and pan de Muerto (bread of the dead) will be available while supplies last.
This year’s celebration is inspired by the concurrent exhibitions “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations” and “Aliza Nisenbaum: Día de los Muertos,” both featuring important Latino artists exploring portraiture and legacy.
At its heart, Día de los Muertos at the Art Center is a celebration of community, a space where we come together through art, culture, and shared traditions. The Des Moines Art Center is proud to be a welcoming, inspiring place for all. Join us and be part of the joy and history that we continue to create together.
Take advantage of easy parking and a free shuttle from Merrill Middle School, running continuously from 11 am to 3 pm.
Schedule of Events:
11:30 am Processional | Begin in Macomber Lobby
11:40 am Mariachi Los Aguilares | Levitt Auditorium
12:00 pm Film Screening | Levitt Auditorium
1:00 pm Catrina Costume Showcase | Levitt Auditorium
1:30 – 2:30 pm Live Music by Isabella Franco | Bookey Family Courtyard
2:00 pm Jovenes Embajadores Dance Group | Levitt Auditorium
Volunteers:
Día de Los Muertos at the Art Center wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers. Sign up here to volunteer at the event.
Support for this event is provided by:

This event is free, and no registration is required. This event will be documented with photography.
We strive to provide closed captioning for all events and programs offered in Levitt Auditorium. Due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org at least two weeks in advance. We will try to accommodate requests with less than a two week notice but cannot guarantee availability.

Día de los muertos 2025
Domingo, 2 de noviembre | 11 am a 3 pm
Día de los muertos 2025: Un legado de colaboración
Des Moines Art Center | Entrada gratis y transporte gratuito desde la escuela Merrill Middle School
Acompáñanos a celebrar el 25to aniversario del Día de los muertos en el Des Moines Art Center: una de nuestras festividades más populares y predilectas del año. Este hito no solo honra a las personas que ya no están con nosotros, también conmemora el espíritu unificador de esta festividad y a los integrantes de la comunidad que han dado vida y permanencia a este evento a lo largo de las últimas dos décadas y media.
Ven a disfrutar de música y danza, comidas tradicionales, ventas de obras de arte, actividades interactivas, una exhibición de disfraces de Catrín y Catrina, una ofrenda comunitaria y un cortometraje documental conmemorativo. Habrá chocolate caliente mexicano y pan de muerto gratis hasta agotarse la existencia. Tendremos transporte gratuito desde la escuela Merrill Middle School, donde habrá más puestos de estacionamiento gratis.
La celebración de este año está inspirada por las exhibiciones concurrentes Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaboraciones y Día de los Muertos, de Aliza Nisenbaum, ambas destacando a importantes artistas latinos y su exploración de los retratos y el legado.
En esencia, el Día de los muertos en el Art Center busca celebrar el sentido de comunidad: es un espacio donde convergimos a través del arte, la cultura y las tradiciones compartidas. El Des Moines Art Center se enorgullece de ser un lugar de bienvenida e inspiración para todas las personas. Acompáñanos y forma parte de la alegría y la historia que seguimos escribiendo juntos.

Guided Tour: Sailor, Soldier, Airman, Artist
2025-11-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
In recognition of Veterans Day, the Art Center is offering a free guided tour titled “Sailor, Soldier, Airman, Artist.” Join us for this themed tour that asks the question, “How did the military experience influence mid-century modern artists?” with artist features such as Ellsworth Kelly (WWII), Sam Francis (WWII), or b. Robert Moore (son of a Vietnam veteran).
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
b. Robert Moore (American, born 1983)
“Kin to War” (detail), 2023
Acrylic, charcoal, saw dust, Ethiopian coffee, Ethiopian coffee burlap, polyurethane, oil pigment on Belgian Linen
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Purchased with funds from the Edmundson Art Foundation, Inc., 2023.24
Photo: Rich Sanders

A Taste of ReelAbilities at The Harkin Institute
2025-11-08 17:00 | The Harkin Institute, 2800 University Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50311, United States
Founded in New York City in 2007, ReelAbilities challenges stereotypes, celebrates authentic disability representation in movies, and expands opportunities for disabled creators worldwide. The 2025 Des Moines festival is “A Taste of ReelAbilities,” screening a combination of features and shorts over two days — first at The Harkin Institute, then at the Des Moines Art Center, showing different films each day. All film screenings will be followed by a conversation with individuals from the disability community related to the specific content of the films.
All films will provide open captions and have audio description capabilities.
In addition to films being shown at the Art Center and The Harkin Institute, The Varsity Cinema will present a related film on Wednesday, November 5, leading up to “A Taste of ReelAbilities” on Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9.
This program is supported by the Principal® Foundation. The film showings at The Harkin Institute and the Des Moines Art Center are free, and registration is required.
tickets
Screening Information:
Film: My Own Normal, 2024
Director: Alexander Freeman
Run Time: 57 minutes
Description: The latest documentary from disabled filmmaker Alexander Freeman captures his own unexpected journey into parenthood prompting difficult questions, and confronting common assumptions about autonomy, self-determination, and independence along the way.
Film: 17%, 2024
Director: Aaron Johnson
Run Time: 13 minutes
Description: Entrepreneur Collette Divitto, who has Down syndrome, transforms workplace culture through her successful cookie company. Addressing the 83% unemployment rate among disabled people, she builds an inclusive business model built on individual strengths rather than perceived deficits. The film follows Collette’s unique approach to hiring and workplace culture, showcasing the ripple effects of her leadership throughout the business community.
Film: Dreamcaster, 2023
Director: William Maher
Run Time: 27 minutes
Description: With the help of technology, Cameron Black, a blind sports enthusiast, fulfills his dream of becoming a sportscaster. Cameron’s passion for sports grows, leading to an opportunity to broadcast live games, showcasing how technological advances improve both accessibility and opportunity.
We strive to provide closed captioning for all events and programs offered in Levitt Auditorium. Due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org at least two weeks in advance. We will try to accommodate requests with less than a two week notice but cannot guarantee availability.

A Taste of ReelAbilities at the Des Moines Art Center
2025-11-09 13:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Founded in New York City in 2007, ReelAbilities challenges stereotypes, celebrates authentic disability representation in movies, and expands opportunities for disabled creators worldwide. The 2025 Des Moines festival is “A Taste of ReelAbilities,” screening a combination of features and shorts over two days — first at The Harkin Institute, then at the Des Moines Art Center, showing different films each day. All film screenings will be followed by a conversation with individuals from the disability community related to the specific content of the films.
All films will provide open captions and have audio description capabilities.
In addition to films being shown at the Art Center and The Harkin Institute, The Varsity Cinema will present a related film on Wednesday, November 5, leading up to “A Taste of ReelAbilities” on Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9.
This program is supported by the Principal® Foundation. The film showings at The Harkin Institute and the Des Moines Art Center are free, and registration is required.
tickets
Screening Information:
Film: Millstone, 2023
Director: Peter Hoffman Kimball
Run Time: 15 minutes
Description: A desperate, grieving couple thinks they have found the only therapist who can help them save their marriage – but his methods might be worse than anyone imagined. Featuring an entirely Deaf cast, Millstone is a dark thriller, filled with twists and turns, that offers a fresh, authentic perspective on the complexities of the human experience.
Film: As You Are, 2023
Director: Daisy Friedman
Run Time: 14 minutes
Description: When an interabled queer couple spend the night together for the first time, they must confront their complex relationships with desire, sexuality, bodily autonomy, and what it means truly to love another person.
Film: Comedy Against the Odds, 2023
Director: Suzanne Luna
Run Time: 30 minutes
Description: Ten-year-old Austin Eletto brings his personal perspective to the stand-up comedy stage, using humor to bridge identity and build connection. Through his witty observations and sharp timing, Austin crafts material that resonates with audiences while challenging assumptions about autism. The documentary reveals how comedy can be a medium for authentic self-expression and community building.
Film: Coming Out Autistic, 2022
Director: Steven Fraser
Run Time: 4 minutes
Description: Queer coming out stories are well documented, while telling friends, family, co-workers, and strangers that you are autistic is shown less often. But what is the experience of telling the world that you are autistic when you also identify as LGBTQ+?
Film: We are the Athletes, 2024
Director: Angel Gates Fonesca
Run Time: 37 minutes
Description: Through the experiences of Farryl, a young skier, and Matt, a veteran, the film explores how The Adaptive Sports Foundation in Windham, NY, creates new possibilities for athletic expression, and showcases innovative approaches to athletic training and competition. Their stories highlight how technical creativity and community support make diverse participation in sports possible.
We strive to provide closed captioning for all events and programs offered in Levitt Auditorium. Due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org at least two weeks in advance. We will try to accommodate requests with less than a two week notice but cannot guarantee availability.

Gallery Talk: “Robert Rauschenberg: Currents, 1970″ with Ashton Cooper and Michael Morain
2025-11-09 13:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join Art Center Associate Curator Ashton Cooper, Ph. D. and Michael Morain, Editor of dsm Magazine, for a gallery talk that explores the life and artistic pursuits of artist Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008). In the exhibition, “Robert Rauschenberg: Currents, 1970,″ dive into the journalistic topics of writing headlines, freedom of the press, and the similarities between the news landscape of Rauschenberg’s moment and our own.
Free; no registration required.
Robert Rauschenberg (American, 1925 – 2008)
Surface Series 52 (from Currents) [detail], 1970
Screenprint on paper
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Gift of Lawrence Zicklin, New York, 1983.62.15

Film Showing: The Kneeling Goddess - Presented by the Des Moines Art Center and The Varsity Cinema
2025-11-12 19:00 | Varsity Cinema, 1207 25th St, Des Moines, IA, 50311, United States
Join us before the film at The Varsity Cinema for an introduction by Art Center Senior Curator Laura Burkhalter about Manuel Álvarez Bravo, the “father of Mexican photography,” who worked on this and other films of the era. “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations,” an exhibition of his collaborative photography, is on view at the Des Moines Art Center from October 25, 2025 – January 18, 2026.
Film Details: “The Kneeling Goddess (La diosa arrodillada),” 1947
Director: Roberto Gavaldón
Spanish, with English subtitles
Not rated. Run time: 110 minutes
An artist’s model leads the ever-hapless Arturo de Córdova away from the arms of his innocent, blue-eyed wife and down, down, down into the ecstatic depths of degradation, including a stop at a seedy Panama nightclub.
TICKETS

2026 Preview Party
2025-11-19 17:30 - 19:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Be our guest at an exclusive preview led by John and Mary Pappajohn Director and CEO, Kelly Baum, and Des Moines Art Center curators Laura Burkhalter, Ashton Cooper, and Beth Gollnick, as they unveil exhibitions for 2026. Following the program, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks by the Art Center Café.
Your generous support extends beyond the walls of our museum, uplifting our community and the arts at large. Thank you for being a driving force for transformative change at the Des Moines Art Center.
This event is open to members at the Curator’s Circle ($550) and above. To upgrade or become a member, please your visit our website here or contact us at membership@desmoinesartcenter.org.
Please register by November 12; send your RSVP to Jess Lane, Gala and Development Events Coordinator at jlane@desmoinesartcenter.org.

Holiday Shopping Event + Member Double Discount
2025-11-21 16:00 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Before the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus Winter Concert Preview, visit the Museum Shop for a special holiday surprise! Enjoy shopping for everyone on your list, while sipping hot cocoa (add in a ‘spiked’ option if you’re feeling extra jolly!) + sample a variety of seasonal treats.
Des Moines Art Center members receive double discounts on all qualifying merchandise during the event! Become a member today.

Guided Tour: Abstract or Realist? Seeing and Imagining
2025-11-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
This tour explores how artists approach representation, from the bold abstraction of Calder and Rothko to the inventive forms of Nevelson, Shonibare, and El Anatsui. Together, we’ll consider how different artistic choices shape what we see, what we imagine, and how we interpret meaning in works of art.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Alexander Calder (American, 1898 – 1976)
Holy Red, 1960
Painted sheet metal and steel wire
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Gift of David Kruidenier, Jr. Estate and Elizabeth S. Kruidenier 2002 Revocable Trust, 2012.3

Art, Grief, and Healing: Life After Suicide Loss (LGBTQ+ Community)
2025-11-26 13:00 - 15:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
In partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Iowa Chapter, we invite members of the LGBTQ+ community to come together for a program in support of Life After Suicide Loss. These sessions are in recognition of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day on November 22.
During this session, individuals ages 13+ from the LGBTQ+ community are encouraged to honor loved ones lost to suicide through art, reflection, and community connection. This gathering includes a docent-led exploration of artworks centered on resilience and mental health, followed by creative expression in the Art Center studios and a collective ritual of remembrance.
Participants are invited to bring a photo or small item of their loved one to place on the community remembrance table if they wish.
Pictured: Instructor Sage Love is a researcher, writer, death doula, and mental health advocate whose work centers on suicide loss and living with bipolar II disorder. They serve as the LGBTQ+ Chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Iowa Chapter.
Free; no registration required.

Guided Tour: Family and Gathering
2025-11-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Explore how artists capture the warmth, complexity, and beauty of coming together. This docent-led tour invites visitors of all ages to reflect on family, community, and shared moments through works by artists such as Mary Cassatt, Alex Katz, and Alfredo Ramos Martinez.
Free; no registration required.

Entirely Kids Day: Together
2025-11-29 11:00 - 15:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Celebrate the joy of creating and connecting at Entirely Kids Day: Together at the Des Moines Art Center! Inspired by “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations,” an exhibition surrounding collaborative photography, and the vibrant portraits of “Aliza Nisenbaum: Día de los Muertos,” this free, family-friendly event invites kids and their families to explore how art brings people together.
Enjoy a day of hands-on art making, playful movement, and gallery activities — including special collaborations with Pied Piper Studios and Seedlings Children’s Theater. Discover what’s possible when we create side by side in this celebration of art, connection, and community.
Free; no registration required. This event will be documented with photography.
Photo: Erik Brockmeyer
This program is part of the Principal® Foundation Youth Learning and Engagement Initiative.

We strive to provide closed captioning for all events and programs offered in Levitt Auditorium. Due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org at least two weeks in advance. We will try to accommodate requests with less than a two week notice but cannot guarantee availability.

Unveil: Presented by the Museum Shop
2025-12-03 17:00 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
You are invited to our biggest Museum Shop event of the year, Unveil! Join us for an exclusive preview of newly acquired merchandise. Items from this collection will not appear again until later in the year so plan some holiday shopping for everyone on your list (and yourself!). Enjoy complimentary small bites and festive, seasonal beverages with holiday cheer.
Unveil is open to anyone in the community; Art Center members receive double-discounts on all purchases.* Become a member!
This event is free, and registration is not required. *Exclusions apply to consignment and clearance items.

Art Workshop: Mosaic Ornament Making - SOLD OUT
2025-12-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Come in from the cold and make a unique mosaic ornament with fellow students in this one day make and take event. Use colorful glass, tile, and ceramic pieces to create beautiful patterns, designs, and take them home for the holidays.
REGISTER
Des Moines Art Center members receive a 20% discount on all classes, camps, and workshops! Become a member today.
Scholarships for classes and materials are offered on our application page.

World AIDS Day: A Day With(out) Art
2025-12-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
In recognition of World AIDS Day, join us at the Des Moines Art Center for A Day With(out) Art — a day to come together, slow down, and reflect, using art as a space for healing, remembrance, and hope.
Founded in 1989 at the Museum of Modern Art, this event is a call to action, care, and reflection on AIDS’ impact. Art gives voice to the silence, inspiring compassion and support for those affected. Art Center visitors can enjoy engaging performances, hands-on activities, and opportunities to learn alongside local partners to celebrate A Day With(out) Art.
Robert Mapplethorpe (American, 1946 – 1989)
“Two Men Dancing” (detail), 1984
Gelatin silver print
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Gift of Hudson, New York, 2001.12
Photo: Rich Sanders
Free; no registration required.
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

We strive to provide closed captioning for all events and programs offered in Levitt Auditorium. Due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org at least two weeks in advance. We will try to accommodate requests with less than a two week notice but cannot guarantee availability.

Cocktail with a Curator
2025-12-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Des Moines Art Center members at the Salon level + are invited to Cocktail with a Curator, featuring a gallery talk and casual group discussion led by Associate Curator Ashton Cooper, Ph.D.
We’re pleased to welcome members at the Salon level ($250) for this special opportunity to experience one of our exclusive events usually reserved for Curator’s Circle + ($550) members. This occasion offers a glimpse of the unique access and connections that come with higher membership. On the tour, Ashton will offer an insider’s look at the collection and curatorial process in the newly installed W. T. and Edna Dahl and West Galleries.
Registration required by December 4; space is limited. Salon+ level members can RSVP by emailing Jess Lane, Gala and Development Events Coordinator at jlane@desmoinesartcenter.org.

Peppermint Trail at the Art Center
2025-12-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Visit the Des Moines Art Center during The Avenues’ annual Peppermint Trail to sample yummy holiday treats while doing some of your gift buying for the art lovers on your list. The Museum Shop has all sorts of unique and fun gifts for everyone in your life! Visit the galleries to view the current exhibitions, and at 1 pm enjoy a guided tour by an Art Center docent with the theme of ‘Family and Gathering.’
Stop by the Art Center Café for lunch or a sweet treat! In addition to their regular menu items, enjoy a Peppermint Mocha or Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Café hours on Saturday are from 10 am – 4 pm.
The museum galleries and shop will be open from 10 am – 5 pm. Admission to the museum and the guided tour are free.

Guided Tour: Family and Gathering
2025-12-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Explore how artists capture the warmth, complexity, and beauty of coming together. This docent-led tour invites visitors of all ages to reflect on family, community, and shared moments through works by artists such as Mary Cassatt, Alex Katz, and Alfredo Ramos Martinez.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Mary Cassatt (American, active France, 1844 – 1926)
“Nicolle and Her Mother” (detail), ca. 1900
Pastel on paper
Purchased with funds from the Coffin Fine Arts Trust; Nathan Emory Coffin Collection of the Des Moines Art Center, 1966.21

Art, Grief, and Healing: Life After Suicide Loss
2025-12-14 13:00 - 15:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
In partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Iowa Chapter, we invite members of the community to come together for a program in support of Life After Suicide Loss. These sessions are in recognition of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.
This gathering blends a curated art tour with guided creative expression and activities. Through reflection, art-making, and shared moments of remembrance, participants are invited to process grief, honor loved ones lost to suicide, and find connection within community.
Participants are invited to bring a photo or small item of their loved one to place on the community remembrance table if they wish.
Pictured: Instructor Sage Love is a researcher, writer, death doula, and mental health advocate whose work centers on suicide loss and living with bipolar II disorder. They serve as the LGBTQ+ Chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Iowa Chapter.
Free; no registration required.

Gallery Talk: “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations”
2025-12-14 13:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join Senior Curator Laura Burkhalter for a gallery talk about the exhibition “Manuel Alvarez Bravo: Collaborations,” on view in the Anna K. Meredith Gallery. With over 100 photographs and ephemera, this exhibition illustrates that working with others was a central part of Bravo’s creative process.
Free; no registration required.
Manuel Álvarez Bravo (Mexican, 1902 – 2002)
“Caja de visiones (Box of Visions)” (detail), 1931
Gelatin silver print
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Purchased with funds from Craig and Kimberly Shadur, 2024.11
Photo: Rich Sanders

"Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations" Exhibition Tour
2026-01-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Step into the fascinating world of “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations” with a guided tour of the exhibition. With over 100 photographs and ephemera, “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations” illustrates that working with others was a central part of the artist’s creative process. Manuel Álvarez Bravo is sometimes called the father of Mexican photography, but he did not reach the heights of his field on his own. He achieved his place in history through conversations and connections with some of the greatest minds of the 20th century in Mexico and abroad.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Manuel Álvarez Bravo (Mexican, 1902-2002)
“Lola Álvarez Bravo y estructura metalica (Lola Álvarez Bravo and a Metal Structure),” 1930s
Gelatin silver print
Colección Archivo Manuel Álvarez Bravo
