TEACHERS & RESOURCES

College Credit
Staff Development Credit
Scholarships
Student Tours
Adult Tours

College Credit
Some courses qualify for college credit from area colleges, such as Grand View, Simpson, and Upper Iowa University. Interested students should register with their college prior to registration at the Art Center. Graduate credit is available through Drake University's Extension Program for RDG Dahlquist Art Studio classes.

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Staff Development Credit
Staff development credit is available through Heartland AEA for selected Art Center classes. An additional fee is required, payable to Heartland AEA. One hour of credit is given for 15 hours of instruction. Call 515.271.0306 for more information.

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Scholarships for Studio Classes
Many generous donors provide scholarships for students to attend classes in the studio program. Almost 10% of our student enrollment attend classes at the art Center on scholarship.

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TOURS

STUDENT TOUR INFORMATION

Reservations
Reservations may be made at least three weeks in advance by calling the Museum Educator Jennifer Cooley, at 515.271.0328. Guided tours last 1-hour.

When you call to reserve your tour, please have the following information ready:

The number of students and chaperones in your group
Grade level(s) of your students
Date and time of day that works best for your tour
Educational objectives for tour, if applicable

Also contact Jennifer Cooley if you are interested in touring our new branch museum Des Moines Art Center Downtown in the Wells Fargo Financial Building at 9th and Walnut Streets. Tours last 30-minutes and can be combined with other tours and activities.

Admission
Admission to the Des Moines Art Center is free. Tours for student groups are free.

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Museum Hours and Tour Time options:
Des Moines Art Center

Open: Tuesday – Friday, 11 am – 4 pm
Guided tours may be scheduled from 10 am – 2:30 pm

Open: Thursday until 9 pm
Guided tours may be scheduled from 10 am – 7:30 pm

Open: Sunday, Noon – 4 pm
Guided tours may be scheduled from Noon — 2:30 pm

Closed: Monday

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Museum Hours and Tour Time options:
Des Moines Art Center Downtown

Open: Monday – Friday, 11 am – 4 pm
Guided tours may be from 10 am – 4 pm

Closed Saturday & Sunday

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Group Size
There is no minimum group size for tours. The maximum group size is 90–100 students per school per day. Group size includes chaperones. Maximum group size for Des Moines Art Center Downtown is 30 students.

Chaperones
Adult chaperones are required for every student group: one chaperone per 15 students is required.

Self-Guided Visits
School groups wishing to visit without an Art Center docent are permitted with a confirmed reservation made in advance.

Cancellations
If you must cancel your tour notify Jennifer Cooley at 515.271.0328 as soon as possible (AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE).

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Entrance
Students and chaperones may be dropped off at the main entrance on the east side of the Art Center. Please advise your bus driver to park in the lower level of the front parking lot. Des Moines Art Center Downtown entrance is on Walnut Street between 8th and 9th streets.

Parking
Cars may park in the visitor parking lot on the east side of the Art Center. Metered street parking and several parking garages are available for Des Moines Art Center Downtown.

Rules

Works of art are not allowed to be touched.
Eating, drinking, and chewing gum is not allowed in the galleries.
The use of cameras, easels, and any mark making materials other than pencils are prohibited. Pencils, pads, and clipboards are allowed in the permanent collection areas.
Bags and coats are not allowed in the galleries. Please leave these items on the bus or place in the coatroom.

Lunch facilities

There are no special lunch facilities for school groups.
Sack lunches may be eaten outside on the lawn of the Art Center or in nearby Greenwood Park. Please store these items in your bus/vehicle and pick them up at the conclusion of your tour.

Arrangements can be made to use the lunchroom at Wells Fargo Financial for bag lunches. This request must be made when scheduling your tour.

The Restaurant is open for lunch Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am – 2 pm. Located off the main gallery, the changing menu features soup, salad, sandwiches, pasta, and dessert. To make Restaurant reservations, please call 515.277.0332.

Restrooms
Restrooms are located on the first floor of the museum and on the lower level of the Meier addition. A restroom is available at the back of the gallery at Des Moines Art Center Downtown.

Student assignments in the museum
Distribute any of your own worksheets or assignments after your guided tour has ended; this allows the students to concentrate on the tour without distraction. All assignments must be completed in pencil. Students may not lean against gallery walls or on pedestals when writing.

Students with Special Needs
When scheduling your tour, please request a copy of the Art Center’s floor plan which includes a guide for traveling through the museum by wheelchair, or indicate your need for any other specialized information or assistance.

Cameras
Photography is not allowed in the galleries.

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ADULT TOUR INFORMATION

Reservations
Reservations may be made at least three weeks in advance by calling the Museum Educator Jennifer Cooley, at 515-271-0328. Guided tours last 1-hour. When you call to reserve your tour, please have the following information ready:

Date and time of day that works best for your tour
The number of people in your group
Educational objectives for tour, if applicable

Admission
Admission to the Des Moines Art Center is free. Tours for adult groups is $2 per person with a minimum fee of $20. There is no charge for Des Moines Art Center Downtown tours.

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Museum Hours and Tour Time options:
Des Moines Art Center

Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 11 am – 4 pm
Guided tours may be scheduled from 10 am – 2:30 pm, Tuesday – Friday and 11 am – 2:30 pm on Saturday

Open: Thursday until 9 pm
Guided tours may be scheduled from 10 am – 7:30 pm

Open: Sunday, Noon – 4 pm
Guided tours may be scheduled from Noon – 2:30 pm

Closed: Monday

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Museum Hours and Tour Time options:
Des Moines Art Center Downtown

Open: Monday – Friday, 11 am – 4 pm
Guided tours may be from 10 am – 2:30 pm

Closed Saturday & Sunday

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Group Size
There is no minimum group size for tours. The maximum group size is 90–100 people. Maximum group size for Des Moines Art Center Downtown is 30 people.

Self-Guided Visits
Groups wishing to visit without an Art Center docent are permitted with a confirmed reservation made in advance.

Cancellations
If you must cancel your tour, notify Jennifer Cooley at 515.271.0328 as soon as possible (AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE).

Entrance
Groups enter through the main entrance on the east side of the Art Center. Map
Des Moines Art Center Downtown entrance is on Walnut Street between 8th and 9th streets.

The Education Department maintains ongoing partnerships with several Des Moines area schools, reflecting the Museum’s mission to serve as an educational resource for the local community.