Social Saturday: Toons and Tunes

Event Details

Join the Des Moines Art Center’s May Social Saturday event: Toons and Tunes! Who loves Saturday morning cartoons? Watch short animations created by local artists! Musical majesty? Listen to unique and fun tunes by the Des Moines Gamer Symphony! Enjoy crafts in the Art School studios, musical storytime, a free guided tour, treats in the Café, and so much more!

Schedule of Events:

11:15 am | Musical Storytime
Levitt Auditorium
11:45 am – 12:15 pm | Des Moines Gamer Symphony Small Ensembles
Levitt Auditorium
Come hear the Des Moines Gamer Symphony brass and woodwind ensembles perform music from video games you know and love! From Mario to Zelda to Halo, we will cover generations of games in just 30-minutes to celebrate this rising genre.
12:30 – 1:30 pm | Live Music in Galleries
Find various solo artists performing throughout the museum gallery spaces.
1 – 2 pm | Guided Tour (all ages)
Meet in the Macomber Lobby
1:30 pm | Community Animation Showcase
Levitt Auditorium
Inspired by the exhibition, “Honey, You’re a Wonderful Model: Maria Lassnig’s Animated Films” this showcase presents creativity in motion. The film screening will feature a mix of short, animated works made by local artists. Animation submissions are open to all Iowa creators, due April 10, 2026.
Registrations recommended.

Drop-in Activities (11 am – 2 pm):

Museum Galleries
Find the Social Saturday interactive Art Cart in the galleries.
Macomber Lobby
Browse the Museum Shop and find the perfect gift for Mom just in time for Mother’s Day! Art Center members get 10% off every day in the Museum Shop.
Art School Studios
Explore creativity and your inner artist! Free drawing available in the studio space, as well as mini mosaic making.
Art Center Café
Stop by for a sit-down lunch or a delicious la mie pastry; a full hot/cold espresso menu is available. Art Center members receive a 10% in the café every day.
See our special exhibitions before they close!
“Honey, You’re a Wonderful Model: Maria Lassnig’s Animated Films” (Anna K. Meredith Gallery)
“Iowa Artists 2026: Henry Payer: Aagakinąk Haciwi: We Live Opposite Each Other” (A.H. Blank Gallery and Krause Atrium)
“Christine Rebet: Sound of Time” (Pamela Bass-Bookey and Harry Bookey Gallery)
“Artists Around a Table: Artmaking and Merrymaking, 1927-1952” (John Brady Print Gallery)

Social Saturdays occur at the Des Moines Art Center on the second Saturday of the month. This event is free to attend, and no registration is required. Social Saturdays will be documented with photography.

For programs in Levitt Auditorium:
We strive to provide live captioning for all events 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.

Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.