Ë®¹ûÅÉ

picture of windows and brick building with blue sky and clouds

Arts and Culture

Experience. Explore. Discover.

You’ll find a very active arts community in Ë®¹ûÅÉ. Between Ë®¹ûÅÉ Museum of Art, the Ë®¹ûÅÉ Area Arts Council, and the STEW, Ë®¹ûÅÉ hosts an impressive array of installations, exhibits, and creative activities. Appreciate the whimsy like the leaning light pole in front of the city offices at 210 4th Ave., to the larger-than-life Dento-sauras on the alley side of Family Dentistry at 825 Broad St. to the fried egg on the Hotel Ë®¹ûÅÉ wall above the patio, public art abounds. 

Finally, Ë®¹ûÅÉ is also an architectural destination with notable landmarks that visitors often come from all over to see. Explore several entertainment options below for walking or driving tours that we hope will make your time in Ë®¹ûÅÉ a time to remember. 

  • Front door of Louis Sullivan Bank in Ë®¹ûÅÉ

    This tour will introduce you to some of the highlights of Ë®¹ûÅÉ's architectural heritage. This walking tour is designed to showcase the wide variety of architectural styles found in Ë®¹ûÅÉ. Ë®¹ûÅÉ is proud of the architectural heritage and actively pursue ways to repurpose buildings in the community. This tour will give you a good sense of the variety of architectural styles found in Ë®¹ûÅÉ.

    To view videos of several locations, visit the . 

    Courtesy of Ë®¹ûÅÉ Area Chamber of Commerce

  • Mural on side of building

    Ë®¹ûÅÉ has a very active arts community. Between the Ë®¹ûÅÉ Museum of Art and the Ë®¹ûÅÉ Area Arts Council, creative projects and artistic expression are a staple of the community and can be seen in many areas around town so keep your eyes out for pieces that aren't listed!

    Courtesy of Ë®¹ûÅÉ Area Chamber of Commerce

  • Library art outside of Drake Community Library

    930 Park St.

    ph: 641-236-2661

    Year Round Library Hours:
    Monday through Thursday, 10 am-7 pm
    Friday and Saturday, 10 am-5 pm
    Sunday, 2 pm-5 pm

    LOBBY ACCESS for food cupboard:
    The lobby opens at 8 am Monday to Friday, 9 am on Saturday, and 1 pm on Sunday.

  • Ë®¹ûÅÉ Area Arts Center building

    926 Broad St.

    ph: 641-236-3203

    Home of Stewart Gallery and The Loft Theatre

    Regular Hours: 
    Tuesday through Friday, 11 am-5 pm
    Saturday, 10 am-noon
    Closed Sundays

  • Map showing sculpture tour on Ë®¹ûÅÉ campus

    A collection of outdoor sculptures can be explored on the Ë®¹ûÅÉ campus and beyond.

    Courtesy of Ë®¹ûÅÉ

  • The Ë®¹ûÅÉ Museum of Art.

    Ë®¹ûÅÉ Museum of Art

    Presenting exhibitions of regional, national, and international art year-round. Temporary exhibitions and a permanent collection of more than 6,000 objects offer diverse classroom and research learning opportunities, and with a variety of creative outreach programs — including lectures, readings, concerts, performances, even yoga — the museum is a valuable link between the College, the community, and the wider region.

    1108 Park St., Bucksbaum Center for the Arts

    Regular Hours
    Tuesday through Friday, 11 am–6 pm
    Thursday evenings open until 8 pm
    Saturday and Sunday, 1–5 pm
    Closed Mondays

    Visit GCMoA for current exhibitions and events
  • A bird's-eye view of downtown Ë®¹ûÅÉ with an old-style water tower

    Ë®¹ûÅÉ History Hike

    This excursion is called a "history hike" because you are about to begin a journey to discover the history of this small midwestern town.  

    Whether you live in Ë®¹ûÅÉ or are a visitor, you will learn how the town began, how it grew, and how the citizens helped each other make it a good place to live. You will find the answers to questions like: 

    • Who started the town and why did they choose this spot?
    • What was here before the town?
    • Where was the first building located and what was it called?

    Courtesy of the Ë®¹ûÅÉ Historical Museum

    Let's Get Started!
  • Ë®¹ûÅÉ Historical Museum Rendition

    Mission: Telling the stories of Ë®¹ûÅÉ through artifacts and photographs

    The museum is temporarily closed as volunteers work to create a new space at 703 1st Ave. Estimated opening date is Fall 2025. 

    The McMurray House, 1125 Broad St., will remain part of the Ë®¹ûÅÉ Historical Museum and will reopen once the new space is complete.

  • Railway Express mini train depot

    If you love trains, you'll love this model railroad exhibit. This railroad exhibit includes models of Ë®¹ûÅÉ buildings from decades ago. The Ë®¹ûÅÉ Railway Express is ran by the Model Railroad Club. Limited hours when club members are present. On the north side of the building, you will find a colorful mural painted by college students and young children from the community. 

    731 Park St., Ë®¹ûÅÉ

  • Smithsonian Affiliate logo

    Smithsonian in Ë®¹ûÅÉ

    Ë®¹ûÅÉ is proud to be a , a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums, educational, and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian resources.

    The community of Ë®¹ûÅÉ welcomes traveling exhibits as they make their way through Iowa. 

  • Students working in the Stew Makerspace

    927 Broad St.

    ph: 641-236-3203 (Ë®¹ûÅÉ Area Arts Council)

    The Stew Makerspace is a collaboration between the and the Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership at Ë®¹ûÅÉ. The Stew houses spaces for ceramics, woodworking, 3D printing, metal working, laser engraving, and much more.

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