Community Access Program
The Des Moines Art Center’s Community Access Program provides meaningful art experiences to our community through partnerships with local organizations and free, accessible studio programming.
The Community Access Program expands access to meaningful art experiences by partnering directly with community organizations and offering thoughtfully designed public programs.
Des Moines Art Center’s Community Access Program (CAP) encompasses multiple elements of creative engagement with our local community, seeking to provide the benefits of arts learning and activities beyond the walls of our museum. Our first partnership was in the year 2000, and since then our impact has grown to include about 40 local partner organizations.
CAP serves people of all ages, many of whom face one or more barriers to art participation, such as economic hardship, transportation, disabilities, or cultural or language differences. We believe that art making is a vehicle for connection, self-expression, growth, and empowerment — that all people, regardless of barriers, deserve access to creative opportunities.
The Community Access Program contracts a diverse group of teaching artists working in various mediums to facilitate classes in the community and at the Des Moines Art Center. CAP teaching artists lead programs with a student-centered method, creating a safe, respectful environment where everyone’s art is valued as an outlet for self-expression while also encouraging collaborative learning.
Programs meet participants where they are, and no prior art experience needed. Projects are adapted to interests, abilities, and comfort levels so everyone can engage and explore their own creativity.
Ongoing Programs
The Community Access Program offers several ongoing, monthly programs. All CAP programs are free to attend. For the program schedule, sign up for the CAP email newsletter by emailing kburr@desmoinesartcenter.org. Call 515.277.4405 for cancellations due to weather.
Art Spectrums
A free program for children and teens (ages 5 – 18) on the autism spectrum. Participants will visit and discuss a work of art in the museum for inspiration. Next, attendees make their own artwork in the studio, inspired by what they discovered in the Art Center galleries.
Occurs on second Sundays from 1 – 3 pm at the Des Moines Art Center. Please register on the Art Center’s Event Calendar. (May 10 will not have an Art Spectrums event; we will reconvene in June!)
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Community Art Gatherings
Members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community are invited to join us for gatherings to embrace art and art-making together. Participants are invited to join in community and take inspirations from the Art Center’s museum to make their own projects.
Occurs every Friday through May 2026 at the Des Moines Art Center from 4:30 – 6:30 pm. No registration required.
LGBTQIA+ Adult Community Art Gatherings
These welcoming art gatherings blend inspiration and creativity. During the first hour, participants take a guided tour through the Art Center museum gallery to explore and discuss selected artworks. In the second hour, attendees will head to the studio to create their own art piece inspired by one of the works. This program offers a supportive space to connect, reflect, and express creativity together.
Occurs on second Thursdays of each month from 6 – 8 pm; meet in the Macomber Lobby. No registration required.
Veterans Art Club
Veterans and Caregivers are invited to the Art Center to join CAP for evenings of art making and community. Explore a variety of artistic mediums while receiving structured guidance and art lessons. Prefer a more independent approach? You are welcome to work on your own creative projects! All experience levels are encouraged to join.
Veteran Only Art Club occurs on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 4:30 – 6 pm. Veteran + Companion Art Club occurs on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 4:30 – 6 pm. No registration required.
“For a veteran, therapeutic art helps by providing a non-verbal way to express emotions and process trauma, thus improving their mental health and overall sense of well-being.”
– Veterans Affairs, Recreation Therapist
Interested in CAP participation?
If you are an individual interested in CAP programming, or a local nonprofit/community organization looking to include meaningful and accessible art experiences in your organization’s programming, find frequently asked questions and more information below.
Frequently Asked Questions for Individuals
Interested in participating in CAP programming? Learn more about public programs, art gatherings, and creative opportunities for community connection.
Frequently Asked Questions for Partners
Interested in partnering with the Community Access Program through your nonprofit, school, healthcare provider, or community group. Learn more about how we can work together to bring meaningful, accessible art experiences to your community.
The Community Access Program is proud to collaborate with a wide range of organizations across the Des Moines area. Together, these collaborations make it possible for us to offer free, high-quality art programming to anyone who wants to participate.
