For Immediate Release
Contact: Amy Day
Tel: 515.271.0344 (o)
515.612.0775 (c)
aday@desmoinesartcenter.org
Des Moines Art Center Receives $113,000 Legacy Grant from Prairie Meadows to Launch 3-Year Campaign to Revitalize Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Work begins today to temporarily remove Nomade by Jaume Plensa; Nomade will return restored and renewed in the spring of 2026
DES MOINES, IOWA (October 21, 2025) – The Des Moines Art Center has received a $113,000 Legacy Grant from Prairie Meadows to launch a transformational initiative that will see the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park transformed and refurbished. This generous funding will support the conservation and protection of sculptures throughout the park – beginning with the conservation of Nomade (2007) by Jaume Plensa, which starts today – along with key security enhancements and accessibility improvements, ensuring the park remains a safe, inclusive, and inspiring space for all visitors. 
“We are deeply grateful to Prairie Meadows for their support of this important project,” said Dr. Kelly Baum, John and Mary Pappajohn Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Des Moines Art Center. “Since 2009, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park has welcomed more than 3.2 million visitors, transforming the Western Gateway into one of the nation’s premier outdoor art destinations. The park is where visitors from the city and far beyond join together – a shared space that feels like home. It’s where people come to enjoy community festivals, celebrate milestones, connect with friends, and find moments of reflection. Thanks to Prairie Meadows’ leadership and commitment, we can ensure this beloved space remains welcoming and inspiring for generations to come.”
The Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a nationally recognized community treasure and tourist destination, spanning 4.4 acres in the heart of downtown Des Moines. Free and open daily, the park features iconic works by some of the world’s most celebrated artists, such as Keith Haring and Yayoi Kusama. It also serves as host to major community festivals and events like the Des Moines Arts Festival and World Food & Music Festival, which bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area each year and contribute significantly to regional economic development.
“As a nonprofit organization, Prairie Meadows is proud to support initiatives that strengthen our community through investments in arts and culture, education, economic development, and human services. By funding meaningful projects, such as the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, we are helping to create lasting impact across Central Iowa. We look forward to continuing this important work with our partners,” said Julie Stewart, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Prairie Meadows.
For additional information, contact Senior Director of Communications and Marketing Amy Day at 515.271.0344 or aday@desmoinesartcenter.org.
About the Des Moines Art Center
Founded in 1948, the Des Moines Art Center is a vibrant, AAM-accredited (American Alliance of Museums) institution located in the capital city of Iowa that welcomes nearly 350,000 visitors annually from across the country and around the globe. The Art Center is proud to offer free admission to its galleries, programs, and sculpture park for all visitors. Our 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 largest art museum in the Greater Des Moines metro and one of the few in the state, 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.
About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given more than $2.3 billion to the state of Iowa. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.
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