Des Moines Art Center facts for kids
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| Established | 1948 |
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| Location | 4700 Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa |
The Des Moines Art Center is a cool art museum in Des Moines, Iowa. It has a huge collection of amazing artworks. These include paintings, sculptures, and modern art. The museum first opened its doors in 1948.
Contents
History of the Art Center
The idea for the Art Center started way back in 1916. That's when the Des Moines Association of Fine Arts opened a small gallery. It was located at the Public Library of Des Moines. They showed art exhibitions and bought new artworks for their collection.
In 1938, the art collection moved to a different building. Then, in 1943, a big donation from James D. Edmundson helped them plan a permanent museum. The Des Moines Art Center officially formed in 1945. They chose a spot in Greenwood Park for the new building. Construction began in 1945, and the museum opened in 1948. Later, more parts were added in 1968 and 1985.
In 2009, the Art Center also started looking after the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. This park is downtown and has many cool sculptures.
Amazing Art Collection
The museum has a fantastic collection of art. You can see works by famous artists like Edward Hopper and Andy Warhol. Other artists include Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, and Georgia O'Keeffe. There are also pieces by Jasper Johns, Francis Bacon, and Mary Cassatt.
Some paintings at the Art Center are very well known. For example, Edward Hopper's Automat from 1927 is there. This painting was even on a postage stamp and the cover of Time. Another famous work is Francis Bacon's Portrait of Pope Innocent from 1953. It's considered one of his most important pieces.
Museum Buildings and Features
The Des Moines Art Center has several galleries. A large main gallery changes its exhibitions throughout the year. These shows might feature one artist or traveling exhibits from other museums. Other parts of the museum show off the permanent collection. You can find small spaces for photos and prints, plus a video gallery.
Outside, there are sculptures and a beautiful rose garden. A reflecting pool surrounds parts of the museum building.
Building Design and Architecture
The original museum building was designed by Eliel Saarinen. It was finished in 1948. Its style mixes Art Nouveau and Art Deco designs.
A second part was added in 1968. This section was designed by I.M. Pei. It was meant for large sculptures and has a Modernist style.
The third part of the museum was completed in 1985. Richard Meier designed this wing. He made sure it let in as much natural light as possible.
Other Facilities
The Art Center also has a restaurant and a gift shop. They offer many workshops and classes for all ages. You can also attend film festivals and lectures there.
