Updated April 15, 2019
March is Youth Art Month, a month set aside to celebrate the benefits of art and art education. In recent years, Des Moines has really embraced artists and public art and has become a cultural destination with beautifully designed spaces and many opportunities to explore and engage with art, no matter your age. Check out all the places where you can see, create and be artistic with the kids in Des Moines.
See Art
Seeing great art doesn’t require a drive to a large major city. A trip to a local art museum can make for a great afternoon outing for the whole family. With older kids it can spark great conversations not only about art but about more significant issues in the world. Here’s two places where you can see art this month in Des Moines.
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand Avenue • Des Moines, Iowa 50312 • (515) 277-4405
The Art Center is a non-profit arts organization that engages diverse local and international audiences through its museum and art school. With an extensive collection of paintings, sculpture, modern art, mixed media and FREE Admission, the Des Moines Art Center is a very budget friendly family outing. Currently on display (through April 16th) the exhibit Wild Life, which includes prints, drawings, and sculpture from the Art Center’s permanent collection respond to nature and animals, but also investigate images of humans and human behavior.
Polk County Heritage Gallery
111 Court Avenue • Des Moines, IA • (515) 286 2242
The Polk County Heritage Gallery is housed downtown in the historic old main Post Office building. The non-profit organization provides a multi-use exhibition space for artistic and historical exhibits in Des Moines and Polk County. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 11:00 am to 4:30 pm and admission is FREE. The gallery hosts art shows year round. Currently on exhibit, Ashley Padgett and Amy Uthus – Ceramic Sculptures, February 6th, 2017 through March 18th, 2017.
Create Art
Creating art doesn’t have to be a lot of work. For young kids especially, the process itself is a learning experience engaging multiple senses. Step back and let your kiddos create their own masterpieces, and if you want someone else to clean up the mess, check out these fun places where kids can create art in Des Moines.
Ankeny Art Center
1520 SW Ordnance Road • Ankeny, IA 50023 • (515) 965-0940
The Ankeny Art Center offers stellar art classes for kids and adults. Ideal for grade school kids, they will be inspired by the patient and engaging teachers. Kids can try their hand at 2D and 3D media including stamping, sculpture, painting, drawing and more. In addition to their classes, The Ankeny Art Center is dedicated to promoting and supporting Iowa artists. All artist receptions and exhibitions are FREE and open to the public.
Kids Create
Polk City, IA 50314 • (712) 249-4415
Art doesn’t have to be stoic and stuffy. At Kids Create they know how to bring out the art of fun. Kids Create offers art classes and camps in Polk City. Their classes offer a fun and exciting way for your child to experience age appropriate art lessons of many mediums. Kids have the opportunity to paint, make sculpture, work with clay and get messy and dirty while being productive and creative.
Public Art
Exposing your kids to inspiring artwork doesn’t have to mean tiptoeing through a museum. Instead, think outside the box…literally! There are several amazing outdoor art projects, where you can get a dose of fresh air and enjoy beautiful and insightful works of art in Des Moines.
City of Clive Public Art Program
The Clive Public Art Program was established by the City Council in December 2007. The art collection consists of several commissioned artworks which have been installed in various locations throughout the city. The city also annually purchases an artwork from the Art Along the Trail program. This artwork is typically selected by popular vote by residents. Find a list of Clive’s Public Art Collection here.
Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation
The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation enriches lives by advancing the best of public art. The non-profit organization is dedicated to envisioning, developing, advancing and promoting public art projects in the community. They actively seek opportunities for art integration throughout the community with the goal of establishing Des Moines as a world-class destination for public art. Find a map of their public art installations here.
Support Art
Supporting art museums, schools, exhibits and events is a great way to help fund, foster and spread the youth art movement. If you have a budding artist, exposing them and educating them about art is a great way for them to learn from pros and hone their craft.
Des Moines Social Club
900 Mulberry Street • Des Moines, Iowa 50309 • (515) 369-3672
The Des Moines Social Club is an innovative arts and entertainment venue located in a renovated, historic art deco firehouse in downtown Des Moines. The non-profit provides a home for local artists, offers unique programming spanning all arts disciplines, and brings people of every age and background together under one roof — all for the purpose to use the arts as a catalyst to create unprecedented community engagement.
ArtForce Iowa
600 Holcomb Avenue #3 • Des Moines, IA 50313 • (515) 777-3182
ArtForce Iowa was founded in 2012. Their mission is to transform youth in need through art. Their programs incorporate creative self-expression, work skills development and advocacy in a safe supportive community. All ArtForce Iowa programs are designed to focus on three models: Creative Pathways, DSM Heroes, and StreetCred Studios.
How do you expose your kids to art in Des Moines? Let us know in the Comments below!
