Looking for a beautiful location for your special event?

From weddings and dinner parties or anniversary and birthday celebrations, to corporate soirées, the Des Moines Art Center’s world-class architecture, beautiful ambiance, and professional staff will make your event unforgettable.

Unique, sophisticated, and home to some of the most important art of our time, the Des Moines Art Center boasts a variety of spaces to accommodate your personal tastes: a gorgeous lobby, a 220-seat theater, an open air courtyard and reflecting pool, plus striking backdrops featuring our iconic buildings. These artful accommodations can be customized to create a memorable and inspiring event.

Start planning your event!

Spaces Available To Rent

Lobby & Courtyard

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Café & Courtyard

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Levitt Auditorium

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Meier Patio

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The Perfect Backdrop

Our museum’s striking architecture provides a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your special moments. Photography packages offer exclusive access to our most photogenic architectural locations, allowing your images to capture not just your occasion , but the beauty and character of the museum itself.

Two people in the Richard Meier building hallway, surrounded by square white windows.
Beautiful charcuterie board. Photo: Brittany Brooke Crow

Exceptional Culinary Experiences

Choose from one of our preferred caterers to provide an exceptional culinary experience, from passed hors d’oeuvres to a multiple course dinner. Bar service by the Art Center enables you to curate custom cocktails and other drinks specially for your event.

Private Tours

Surprise and delight your guests with private access to the Art Center’s impressive exhibitions and collections. Everyone is sure to walk away with memories to last a lifetime

Two women walking past each other on the white Richard Meier staircase of the Art Center.

Our Guidelines

The Art Center does not allow political, religious, or fundraising events.

All spaces are smoke free.

Photography packages do not allow photographing artworks within the galleries.

No food or drink is allowed in the galleries or Levitt Auditorium.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to rent the Art Center?

    All rentals include set up and tear down of rental equipment, security, and maintenance. Additional items may be rented by the Art Center on behalf, and at the expense, of the client. These fees do not include food and beverage or any outside rental needs, such as tables, chairs, and linens.  Fees are subject to change.

    Please check our rental spaces, Lobby and Courtyard, Art Center Cafe, and Levitt Auditorium, for venue pricing.

  • Do you have a list of approved caterers?

    The Des Moines Art Center is proud to present three exclusive caterers for events:

    TANGERINE FOOD COMPANY
    Contacts: Susan Madorsky or Pernilla Werninger
    Email / Phone: 515.988.4366 (Susan) / 515.720.7510 (Pernilla)

    TASTE! TO GO CATERING & EVENTS
    Contact: Emily Gross
    Email / Phone: 515.277.8646

    GATEWAY MARKET CATERING
    Contact: Kelly Crosby
    Email / Phone: 515.422.5111

Tell us about your experience!

Rental Survey

 

Interested? Contact Senior Events Manager Grace Abbe.
Email Grace