For Immediate Release
Contact: Amy Day
Tel: 515.271.0344 (o)
515.612.0775 (c)
aday@desmoinesartcenter.org

DES MOINES, IOWA (May 2026) – The Des Moines Art Center has received a Community Betterment Grant from the Polk County Board of Supervisors supporting its Community Access Program (CAP). The Polk County Community Betterment Grant Program provides financial support to non-profit organizations that promote cultural, recreational, educational, and essential human services to Polk County residents.

Through CAP, the Art Center offers community-specific programs and partners with nearly 40 local schools, nonprofits, and social service organizations, facilitating nearly 500 workshops each year for people who face social, cultural, economic, or physical barriers to access. From “Art Spectrums,” which provides inclusive artmaking activities for children and teens with autism, to “Art of Mortality,” which offers workshops designed for individuals facing terminal illness or coping with the loss of a loved one, participants in all CAP initiatives gain more than artistic skills and knowledge — they discover resilience, inspiration, connection, belonging, and most importantly, hope. These workshops are provided free of charge to participants, thanks to philanthropic support such as provided through the Polk County Community Betterment Grant program.

“We deeply appreciate Polk County’s collaboration and shared commitment to building vibrant, culturally rich communities. Their support of programs like CAP allows us to inspire curiosity, foster creativity, and strengthen the cultural and educational fabric of the county — creating an impact that reaches far beyond our galleries and studios. We look forward to continuing this partnership and working together to enrich lives and strengthen our communities,” said Dr. Kelly Baum, John and Mary Pappajohn Director and CEO of the Art Center.

About the Des Moines Art Center
The Des Moines Art Center is a vibrant, AAM-accredited (American Alliance of Museums) institution located in the capital city of Iowa that welcomes around 300,000 visitors annually from across the country and around the globe. Its historic campus consists of three buildings designed by major architects of the 20th century—Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier—incorporated into the natural landscape of Greenwood Park. The Art Center is home to one of the strongest collections of 20th and 21st century art in the region, and it hosts a series of ground-breaking exhibitions and lectures each year featuring artists known regionally, nationally, and internationally. The experimental art for which the Art Center cares is reflected in its creative offerings, including a celebrated education program that prioritizes access and collaboration, an art school with studio classes for all ages, and the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, situated on 4.4 acres in downtown Des Moines.

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