east front of museum with sky reflected in the glass

Visit

Our beautiful building is a cultural and social center where you can explore, unwind, meet, and create. Everyone is welcome.

Two students thoughtfully viewing artwork

Explore

Spark your curiosity with something new or stop by and see your old favorites.                                                                                                                                  

A group of three university students look at a large African mask

Discover

The world-class art collection provides exciting opportunities for teaching, learning, and research.                                                                            

Two women sitting on a green couch having a conversation

Events

There’s always something exciting going on at your art museum. Find out what’s coming up on the calendar.

Multiple bookmarks and copies of a red book fanned out with the text "Beloved. A novel by Toni Morrison."

NEA Big Read | Free Book Pick Up

The NEA Big Read is here in Iowa City! 📚

Get your free copy of Beloved by Toni Morrison and be a part of this community-wide reading event. Available to pick up at 12 different locations across Iowa City. From February to May, our community will celebrate Beloved with a full calendar of events.

Iron sculpture depicting a four-legged animal with long, curving horns

Mellon Symposium on Museum Ethics and Provenance Research

May 1 - May 3, 2025

The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art presents a three-day symposium this May that will showcase the museum's recent advancements in restitution and provenance research while engaging in insightful conversations with field experts on ethical museum practices and the critical exploration of cultural heritage.

Gallery Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–​​​​​​​4:30 p.m.​​​​​​​
Sunday: 12:00–4:30 p.m.

Admission to the museum building will end 5 minutes before gallery closing.

Office Hours

Monday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Current Exhibitions

Recent Acquisitions

it's a fine thing

Homecoming

Aerial view of museum with campus recreation center on left and Main Library on right

The Building

Nestled between the Main Library and Campus Recreation and Wellness Center on the west side of Gibson Square Park, the new Stanley Museum of Art is a hub of learning and research for the University of Iowa and the state. The three-story, state-of-the-art building, designed by BNIM of Des Moines, Iowa, includes a range of flexible spaces for research, education, and exhibitions, and is ideally suited to serve as a center for interdisciplinary teaching, discovery, and community building.

Upcoming Events

NEA Big Read | Discussion of "Beloved" with Tameka Cage Conley & Derek (DK) Nnuro promotional image

NEA Big Read | Discussion of "Beloved" with Tameka Cage Conley & Derek (DK) Nnuro

Saturday, May 10, 2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Stanley Museum of Art
The final discussion session of Beloved will be led by Tameka Cage Conley."In a time when dreams might feel distant, I count it 'sheer, good fortune'—a Morrisonian quote from Sula--to return to Iowa City, which remains home to me, and join DK Nnuro for the final discussion of Beloved, a novel that has been seared into my consciousness and all meaning of life for over thirty years. A homecoming of enormous import, we will step into the mercy and splendor of Morrison's language—its gifts and...
Sundays with the Docents | "it's a fine thing" exhibition tour promotional image

Sundays with the Docents | "it's a fine thing" exhibition tour

Sunday, May 11, 2025 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Join us for a tour of the Stanley Museum of Art's latest exhibition, it's a fine thing. This tour is presented in conjunction with the NEA Big Read and will draw connections between the show and Toni Morrison's novel Beloved.This tour is part of the Sundays with the Docents program where Stanley docents create unique tours to share with our audiences throughout the year. Registration is strongly recommended. Walk-ins are welcome, but tours are capped at 20 participants.Reserve your spot at https...
Study at the Stanley promotional image

Study at the Stanley

Tuesday, May 13 10:00am to Thursday, May 15, 2025 4:00pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Make the Stanley your study spot for finals week. We'll have free coffee, lemonade, punch, and snacks available all day Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (10 a.m.–4 p.m.). Stop by for a few hours to study for your exams: grab a snack, replenish your study supplies (we'll have post-its, highlighters, and more) and take a quick break — either by exploring the galleries or playing with a fidget toy.
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