Welcome to the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation

Virtual Public Art Spotlight: "Even Water" by sculptor Cliff Garten

Water plays a critical role in a community’s quality of life, from public health and safety to recreation and beauty. Knowing what a watershed is and how we can each play a role in preserving its function and value is important but rarely understood. The West Des Moines Public Arts Advisory Commission uses public art to raise awareness of watersheds and everyday actions which residents and businesses can take to improve water quality in a watershed.

Every person who participates in and experiences "Even Water" can be enlightened, empowered, and proud to live in West Des Moines. "Even Water" is an eight-piece cycle suite of permanent sculptures installed in Raccoon River Park in 2019. It is fabricated in mirror polished stainless steel and bronze. 💧
#dsmpublicart #publicart #water #waterquality #watershed #sculpture #westdesmoines #cliffgarten #cliffgartenstudio ... See MoreSee Less

Posted 6 days ago

Virtual Public Art Spotlight: Zigs Zag, Zags Zig 〰️🖤〰️🤍

Created by artist Marianne Fairbanks Zigs Zag, Zags Zig is the title of the ninth (9th) commission by the Public Art Foundation in collaboration with DART. The bus travels approximately 27,000 miles per year or 2,250 miles per month into communities throughout Greater Des Moines. These routes include Ankeny, Altoona, Pleasant Hill, Des Moines, Grimes, Windsor Heights, West Des Moines, Clive, Urbandale and Johnston. Zigs Zag, Zags Zig was unveiled to the public on 13 March 2019 at DART Central Station. #dsmpublicart #artondart #publicart #movingart #blackandwhite #zigzag ... See MoreSee Less

Posted 7 days ago

Virtual Public Art Spotlight: "In the Morning" by abstract sculptor
Sir Anthony Caro.

"In the Morning” is a cast bronze sculpture, initially formed in clay from a model during a workshop in Upstate New York. Although Anthony Caro is best known for his abstract sculpture in steel and other materials, he is no stranger to the figure. His conversion to abstraction took place after a visit to the US in 1959, but before that, he had worked figuratively and was the assistant to Henry Moore. As well, Caro is no newcomer to ceramics. He was one of the artists participating in the New Works in Clay project at Syracuse University’s Continental Can Company in 1975 and since then clay has played an important role in several series of mixed media works.

We invite you to take a virtual tour of the entire Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation public art inventory by visiting dsmpublicartfoundation.org/all-art/ #DSMPublicArt #PublicArt #VirtualTour #socialdistancing #inthemorning #siranthonycaro #sculpture ... See MoreSee Less

Posted 1 week ago

Take a virtual public art trip around the world from the comfort of your own home!

The developers at Google have created the online platform Google Arts & Culture which is dedicated to providing public access to the collections of some of the world’s most renowned art museums by opening virtual doors to the public.

artsandculture.google.com/entity/public-art/m01v7lm?categoryid=art-movement ... See MoreSee Less

Posted 1 week ago

Social distance art tour? Experts say that engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, biking, or running can help your mental and physical health. Just stay six feet apart!
We have a public art app available on the Apple app store and Google Play. This app offers a fantastic experience to engage and inspire you with the best of public art in Greater Des Moines, Iowa. Searching for art in public spaces? Or, perhaps you're curious about a sculpture or mural that you pass by? This interactive, multimedia application provides a self-guided tour of public art throughout the Greater Des Moines area. By exploring, you will discover the bold and distinctive styles of public art by artists from around the world. You will be introduced to a visual library that you can search by artist, title or location. #dsmusa #DSMStrong #socialdistance #staysixfeetapart #dsmpublicart ... See MoreSee Less

Posted 1 week ago

In the age of self-quarantines and social distancing, experts say that engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, biking, or running can help your mental and physical health. Just stay six feet apart! We invite you to take a social distance stroll and explore Art Route Des Moines. Art Route Des Moines unites 87 pieces of public art with an access path via artful city sidewalks and intersections. Think, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” where the sidewalk is painted with circles and chevrons leading to world-renowned sculptures, murals, and architecture — free for all to enjoy. www.artroutedsm.com #ArtRouteDSM #DSMPublicArt #DSMUSA #DSMStrong @ Des Moines, Iowa ... See MoreSee Less

Posted 3 weeks ago