Des Moines Art Center

"I really appreciate getting to visit this museum whenever I'm in Des Moines. It's always meaningful; both the regular collection and featured exhibits are thought-provoking. I hope there will be a way to restore the outdoor art installation around the pond--its a walking path that connects you between worlds, exploring the edges of our experience."

"I absolutely loved my (free!) visit to the Des Moines Art Center. I came when they were working on installing a few new exhibits, but there was still plenty to see and ponder here. The staff were overall friendly and kind without being overbearing or interruptive; the fellow who welcomed me in was pleasant and talkative, but at no time did I feel beleagured by our chat. My only complaint is that in the Richard Meier building, one of the staff seemed to get very close to me as I viewed the artpieces, and another staffperson was playing music or a video on his phone, which was quite loud to begin with and echoed up into the top floor. The art on display was quite captivating and lovely to view, and it spans a wide variety of styles, eras, and cultural origins. The temporary exhibit, Double Take, was interesting, tho I wish there had been clear signage on which photo was staged and which was candid; not knowing made it difficult for me to engage fully with the exhibit. I absolutely fell in love with Water Woman by Wangechi Mutu and kept physically and mentally returning to her. And there were plenty of other stunning pieces I keep thinking about as well. A stroll thru the Rose Garden afterward was nice; I remain unsure as to where the sculpture garden is. Exterior signage in this way could be improved. I also was delighted by the Little Free Art Gallery by the Center's parking lot. I wish there had been materials provided to make my own piece to add, but I did take a delightful little turtle painting by an artist of the name of Alleighlee. One major issue I noted was the Center's accesibility. I can see that this museum is trying to be an accessible space, but a few major issues stood out to me. One is that one of two disabled entrances (the one on the north side) appears to be more of a sidedoor and afterthought. The entrance on the south side of the parking lot is a closer choice, but I'd love to see a solution worked out so that people with wheelchairs or strollers can enter thru the main set of doors. Also, the single elevator in the Meier building was not operating the day I visited. This means that the lower and upper floors could not be accessed by anyone who is unable to use the stairs. The bathroom on the lower level of the Meier building also is *mostly* accessible (plenty of space, lower paper towel dispenser, etc), aside from the heavy doors that could be an issue for some folks to get open. Overall I absolutely loved my visit to this museum, but as an ablebodied person, I also had a lot more freedom to roam and explore than some people may have. The artwork here is beautiful and diverse, and has given me so much to ponder."

"A real gem. The museum is perfectly situated on a hill in a park. Wander the grounds, the expansive gardens, admire the architecture, both outside and then inside. And inside you'll find an eclectic and fierce collection of work including Basquiat, Singer Sargent and O'Keeffe to name a few. Grab a bite at the Cafe and something at the gift shop. And drop in a donation when you leave. After all ... admission is free."

"One should definitely visit the art centre if you're in Des Moines. The exhibits are truly a work of art! Also, there is ample of parking space available outside. Free admission is a bonus!"

"Such a great place to go and visit for free. Beautiful works of art, really cool sculptures, great architecture of the building itself. It was raining and we came here before our flight out of town. The outdoors also has some nice seating and photo opportunity areas."