The Des Moines Art Center believes in the power of art to inspire personal, political, and social transformation.

We commit to exhibit and explore thought-provoking modern and contemporary art.

We connect people and art by offering opportunities for feeling, imagining, dreaming, and creating. We promote curiosity and embrace critical and empathetic thinking with a spirit of openness. We strive to be a welcoming and equitable cultural resource.

This effort to ensure access to art for everyone has been a core tenet of the museum since its founding. Admission is always free for all.

The Des Moines Art Center launched virtual tours of their permanent collections and special exhibitions in March 2020. The tours allow visitors to click through the extensive collections as if they were at the museum, walking through the galleries.