Looking for a beautiful location
for your special event?

Rent the Art Center!

facility rental

Thank you for your interest in the Art Center for your upcoming event.
We are delighted to have you consider the Art Center for your special occasion.

Each event is custom designed for the client. The budget, venue décor, and food
and beverage menu may vary greatly depending upon the client’s needs.

The following spaces are available for rent:
(All spaces are smoke free.)

Levitt Auditorium

• The 220-seat auditorium is well suited for meetings, symposia, lectures, music or vocal performances, film and video previews, etc.
• Only water is allowed in the auditorium.

Art Center Restaurant

• The 950-square-foot restaurant has galleries on two sides and a curved glass wall looking out onto the Maytag Courtyard. The cubic granite floors and white walls are architect Richard Meier’s signature style.
• This area is ideal for dinner meetings, stand-up receptions of up to 100 persons, or sit-down receptions/meals for up to 56 persons.

Main Lobby

• The 2,000-square-foot lobby includes the Information Desk and coatroom areas and is adjacent to the galleries. Directly across from the entry, a door in the tall glass wall provides access to a courtyard with its reflecting pool. The lobby was designed by Eliel Saarinen and has travertine floors and oak paneled walls.
• This area is suitable for a stand-up reception for up to 300 persons or a sit-down reception/meal for up to 125 persons.

Maytag Courtyard

• This outdoor area with lit trees, a granite reflecting pool, and outdoor sculptures by Carl Milles and Scott Burton is surrounded by the architecture of Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier.
• Weather permitting, this space is suitable for a stand-up reception of up to 200 persons or a sit-down reception for up to 100 persons.

Please note the following in regard to special events at the Art Center:

• The Des Moines Art Center Restaurant is the exclusive caterer for all Art Center events. The Art Center and the Art Center Restaurant reserve the right to use the Embassy Club if the Art Center Restaurant is unable to accommodate a client (due to number of guests).
• The average event’s beverage costs range from $5 – $15 per person.
• The average food costs range from $12 – $100 per person, depending upon menu selection.
• The Art Center does not allow political, religious, or fundraising events.
• The Rose Garden behind the Art Center is available for rent through the City Of Des Moines Park and Recreation Board. Please call 515.237.1386 to obtain more information (please note that the Rose Garden is not the property of the Art Center).

The Des Moines Art Center is here to help you plan the perfect event. We will do everything
possible to assist you.
Please contact Debra Kurtz at 271.0336 or e-mail questions to dkurtz@desmoinesartcenter.org