Accessibility
The Des Moines Art Center is committed to accessibility for all of our community to enjoy the museum and its programs. Find information below about accessibility accommodations, services, classes, tours, and more.
Plan Your Visit
We can’t wait to welcome you to the Des Moines Art Center! Remember that daily admission is always free; check our Event Calendar for programs that may be happening the day of your visit or a future event you may be interested in attending. Find museum hours, directions, guides, and more ways to enjoy your time at the Art Center on our Plan Your Visit webpage.
Review our museum guidelines to help ensure you have the best visit possible.
Mobility
Most public areas in the museum are wheelchair accessible, as well as the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. The wheelchair/stroller accessible ramp entrance to the museum is located to the left of the front entrance at the Herbert Galleries Education Wing. The front entrance at the Art Center is only accessible via stairs.
Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available in the Macomber Lobby and the first level of the Richard Meier building.
Accommodations and Services
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ASL Interpretation
We can provide an American Sign Language interpreter for museum programming. However, due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, ASL interpretation is only available upon request.
ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org. Please allow two weeks notice to schedule an interpreter.
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Backpacks and Bag Policy
All bags, parcels, or items larger than 11”x14”x 6” are considered oversized items and must be stored in a complementary locker. Oversized items, including umbrellas, that can’t fit in a complimentary locker can be stored in another location at the discretion of a Visitor Experience Staff member. All allowable bags should be hand carried at the side, to the front, under a stroller, or on the back of a wheelchair or mobility device. Bags of any size cannot be carried on the back.
Medical exemptions to bag restrictions in the museum will be considered on a case-by-case basis and coordinated with Security and Visitor Experience staff.
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Gallery Seating
A variety of benches and chairs are available in most art galleries. Portable gallery stools can be used throughout the museum and are accessible in the Macomber Lobby.
Most public programs that happen within a specific gallery space, such as Creative Aging, Art for Brunch!, or a Gallery Talk, will have seating in the gallery available.
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Live Captioning
We strive to provide live captioning for all events offered in Levitt Auditorium, such as lectures, panel conversations, or film showings. Check our Event Calendar to view which programs take place in the auditorium.
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Resource Cart
An accessibility resource cart is available in the Macomber Lobby. The cart holds additional gallery tools for visitors like sensory support totes – which include items such as noise canceling headphones and fidget toys – low vision gallery guides, clipboards and pencils, and BINGO to help engage kids and families while exploring the museum.
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Service Animals
Guide dogs and other trained service animals are welcome at the museum. Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted.
On-leash pets are welcome at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
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Social Story Narrative
The Social Story Narrative is a written guide, available online or as a PDF download, with photographs and short, easy to read sentences. It can be used by anyone to help prepare for a museum visit, detailing what guests will see and how they may interact with the spaces during their time in the museum.
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Wheelchair Availability
Wheelchairs are available at both the education desk and the front entrance information desk. These are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Programs and Tours
Accessible Guided Tours
We offer a variety of accessible tours based on individual needs at both the museum and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Email tours@desmoinesartcenter.org to schedule an accessible guided tour. Please allow two weeks notice to schedule a tour.
Daily admission and scheduled tours at the Des Moines Art Center are always free.
Art Spectrums
Art Spectrums is a free program for children and teens on the autism spectrum. The class provides an opportunity for participants to exercise their creativity and build their self-esteem through sensory experiences, art-making, communication, and community.
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.
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. The program is free to attend!
Studio Classes in the Art School
The Des Moines Art Center has a robust Art School that offers more than 100 classes every year in a variety of mediums and for different age groups. Upon request, studio classes have accessibility tools available, such as sensory kits, electric tables that change heights, an accessible pottery wheel, and table top easels.
For more information about studio classes or questions about accessibility accommodations in the Art School, please email studioclasses@desmoinesartcenter.org.
Visitor Map
