Hours
Admission to the museum building will end 15 minutes before gallery closing.
| Gallery Hours | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Thursday | 10 a.m.–8:00 p.m. | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Friday | 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Closed |
| Sunday | 12:00–4:30 p.m. | Closed |
Directions and Parking
Where to park
Paid, accessible parking is available in the Stanley Art Ramp (63) below the museum. The entrance is at the rear of the building off Museum Drive (formerly Front Street). Visitors can access the museum directly via the elevator lobby in the center.
Visitors may access the UI Main Library and the museum entrance ramp via exit stairs and elevator in the northeast corner. There is an additional stairway in the southwest corner.
Please pay upon arrival. Parking is limited to two hours during enforcement hours. Parking time cannot be extended beyond the maximum two-hour time.
Payment options include the university's parking app and pay stations (credit card only). Users can download the app for iPhone or Android devices or can access the service on the website https://parkmobile.io/. The app also can be used to pay for parking in more than 500 cities and more than 150 universities and colleges nationwide – including several in Iowa.
Please note: Height Restrictions – 93 inches (7’ 9”)
- Library Lot (3), 202 West Burlington Street
- Recreation Center Lot (11), 500 South Madison Street
- Iowa City Capitol Street Ramp, 220 South Capitol Street
- Iowa City Court Street Ramp, 150 East Court Street
- Iowa Memorial Union Ramp, 120 North Madison Street
All public parking facilities on the University of Iowa campus have designated accessible parking spaces. All Iowa City parking facilities also have accessible parking spaces. Use of these spaces requires a state issued disability parking permit or a disability license plate.
Accessible parking near the museum:
- Stanley Art Ramp (63), 160 W. Burlington St.
- Library Lot (3), 202 West Burlington Street
- Recreation Center Lot (11), 500 South Madison Street
- Iowa City Capitol Street Ramp, 220 South Capitol Street
- Iowa City Court Street Ramp, 150 East Court Street
How do I get there?
Located on the corner of W. Burlington and Madison Streets, adjacent to Gibson Square Park and the UI Main Library, the Stanley Museum of Art is a pleasant eight minute, 0.5 mile walk from the UI Pentacrest and downtown Iowa City.
Getting to the museum on your bicycle is easy! There are large bike racks on either side of the Main Library's south staircase, facing Gibson Square Park. An additional bike rack is located at the southwest corner of the building, next to the stairs for the lower level parking.
University of Iowa CAMBUS
Red, Blue, and Interdorm routes all stop at the UI Main Library, immediately adjacent to the museum.
Iowa City Transit
Provides transportation services throughout Iowa City, including the University of Iowa campus.
Coralville Transit
Provides transportation services in Coralville and to/from downtown Iowa City.
Johnson County SEATS
ADA paratransit service for Johnson County.
380 Express
Weekday bus service between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.
From I-80
Eastbound visitors can use exits 242 (1st Avenue, Coralville) and 244 (Dubuque Street, Iowa City).
Westbound visitors can use exits 246 (Dodge Street, Iowa City) and 244 (Dubuque Street, Iowa City).
From Hwy 218
Northbound visitors can take exit 91 to IA-1 N/Hwy 1 W.
Follow IA-1 N/Hwy 1 W and S. Riverside Drive to Burlington Street.
From I-380
Southbound visitors can take Take exit 93 from US-218 S (County Rd F46/Melrose Ave toward University Heights).
Follow Melrose Avenue/Burlington St. east.
- Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)—About a 20-minute drive from campus
- Quad City International Airport (MLI)—About a 60-minute drive from campus
- Des Moines International Airport (DSM)—About a 2.5-hour drive from campus
- Amtrack (Mt. Pleasant, IA)
- Greyhound, Burlington Trailways, Megabus (Court Street Transportation Center, 170 E. Court St, Iowa City, IA)
Come and Visit
Iowa City is a UNESCO City of Literature and the Greatest Small City for the Arts
Know Before You Go
The health and safety of our staff and visitors is our priority. We are committed to providing the best possible on-site experience. Per university guidelines, face masks are welcome, but not required. Learn more about UI's mask policy.
Please do:
- Experience the Stanley in your own way—stop by for ten minutes between classes, bring your family and friends for the afternoon, or spend an hour in your favorite gallery.
- Remember to check all backpacks, large bags, coats/jackets, and other bulky items in the coat room before entering the galleries. Please wear your coat/jacket if you do not store it in the coat room.
- Please wear child carriers on the front of the body.
- Sketch and draw in the galleries with pencil only.
Thank you for helping us protect the collection by:
- Staying at least an arm's length away from all objects.
- Not touching the works of art - natural oils in our hands and fingers can cause damage.
- Not bringing food or drink into the second floor galleries. Finish these items in our first floor lobby or save them for later in the coat room.
Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to the belief that the experience of art is meant to be shared by all. We frequently evaluate how effectively we are serving the needs of all visitor and continue to work with campus partners to offer a variety of onsite accommodations for visitors with disabilities. Current accommodations include:
- Elevators are available to all floors of the building and the museum parking ramp.
- Museum entrances have automatic doors.
- Accessible restrooms and an all-gender restroom are located on the first floor, just off the lobby.
- Restrooms on the second and third floors have wheelchair accessible stalls, but do not yet have automatic door openers. We anticipate installation of automatic door openers in the first half of 2023.
- The UI Stanley Museum of Art provides a private Family Quiet Room to support guests who are lactating or require a short health or wellness break. Located on the third floor, the room is secure, clean, and easy to use.
- Manual and electric wheelchairs are welcome in all areas of the museum.
- Wheelchairs are available free of charge and may be checked out at the lobby information desk on a first come, first served basis.
- Should you need a place to rest or reflect during your visit, there are benches available throughout our galleries. We also have mobile folding stools available that you can carry through the galleries with you. If you find it preferable to borrow a wheelchair, you may speak with a gallery host or visit the welcome desk in the lobby.
- The lobby and the visual classroom are equipped with hearing (audio induction) loops.
- Select artworks include a StoriDot (QR code) with the wall text, which links via your personal device to an audio description.
- Service animals trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability are allowed into all public areas of the museum.
The Stanley Museum of Art is a popular place for photographers. We want you to “See Yourself at the Stanley,” both in person and through a lens. Personal photography is encouraged at the museum when conducted without disruption to museum operations or visitors, and with the safety of the art in mind.
Personal Visitor Photography (non-commercial use)
Please do:
- Take casual photos for personal use only.
- If you aren't sure if taking a photo is permitted, please ask our front desk or security teams.
- Use handheld cameras, cell phones, and tablets with the flash turned off.
- Post images from your visit on personal, noncommercial social media. We love it when our visitors share the museum with their networks!
- Remember to tag the museum @uistanleymuseum #UIowaStanley
Thank you for helping us protect the collection by:
- Remaining behind stanchions and maintaining a safe, arm's-length distance from all artworks, cases, platforms, and pedestals.
- Respecting other visitors enjoying the galleries.
- Avoiding the use of flash photography and video cameras. Bulky items, tripods, selfie-sticks, or other equipment must be left with the front desk.
- Understanding that photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner.
Professional or Commercial Photography (defined as any use outside of personal)
- All photography of a non-personal nature (i.e. editorial, commercial, advertisement – including, but not limited to portrait, wedding, and fashion photography) requires the written the permission of the Stanley Museum of Art.
- Inquiries for commercial and professional photography of the Stanley Museum of Art should be made by filling out the Photography and Filming Application at least two weeks in advance. Approval for commercial and professional photography will be made on a case-by-case basis. All interior photo shoots for personal events (including but not limited to senior portraits, graduation, prom, engagement, and wedding) are subject to fees. We will estimate fee at the time of booking.
- Indoor gallery shoots are subject to fees, require a staff escort, and may be scheduled only on Mondays or when the museum is closed to the public.
- Outdoor portrait shoots on museum grounds do not require an escort, however portrait photography must not disrupt museum operations or visitor experience. Some outdoor artworks may be under copyright. It is the responsibility of the user to clear any permissions that may be necessary for uses beyond news reporting and commentary. Copyright information will be provided upon request.
How do I...?
Gendered restrooms are located off the north end of the lobby, adjacent to the elevators on the second floor, and behind the elevators on the third floor. A single-user restroom is available on the first floor only. A Family Quiet Room is located opposite the restrooms on the third floor.
Infant changing tables are available in the first floor single-user restroom and the third floor Family Quiet Room, as well as within the accessible stalls of all gendered restrooms.
The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art has an exceptional core collection
thanks to donors who have made generous gifts of art throughout the years—
and this tradition of giving continues today. Each year, the museum increases its
collection through acquisitions from loyal donors such as you.
Adding Art to the Collection
The UI Stanley Museum of Art accepts gifts of art that align with its mission
and collection policy. Before the museum can accept a gift of art, its director,
or one of its curators, must submit potential works to the Acquisition
Committee for approval. This group meets quarterly to review proposed
objects and to select the works that the museum will add to its collection.
Types of Gifts
Outright Gifts
The UI Stanley Museum of Art accepts outright gifts of art. Such donations may
entitle you to tax benefits, and the museum recommends that you consult with
your tax adviser before making a gift of art.
Planned Gifts
You can leave gifts of art to the museum in a bequest, and such bequests must
meet the same acquisition criteria as outright gifts of art.
The Process for Making a Gift of Art
1. Provide a description of the object(s), related documentation, and a high
resolution image of the object(s), if possible, to one of the museum curators
or to a member of the university’s development and advancement team.
2. The museum will review the submitted documentation for the object(s).
3. If the museum is interested in the object(s), a member of its staff will contact
you to arrange a meeting to see the object(s).
4. Object(s) that the curator has decided to propose for acquisition will be
transferred to the museum.
5. Once the Acquisition Committee has approved the acquisition, the registrar
will send you a Deed of Gift, and you will receive a letter of acknowledgment
for the gift. This process can take several months.
For more information about making a gift of art to the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art please contact:
Susan Horan
Director of Development
University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art
P.O. Box 4550
Iowa City, Iowa 52244
(319) 467-3407
Jackson Pollock’s Mural is in Gallery 1 on the second floor.
Teach with the Collection
Faculty, staff, and students from visiting colleges or universities may request an exhibition tour in our galleries or a specialized viewing experience of work in our visual laboratory and classroom through our online visit request form.
View Works from the Collection
The Stanley Museum of Art welcomes visiting scholars to research our collection. As you prepare for your visit, we recommend completing the request form as soon as possible.
Requests must be placed at least one month in advance to allow the registrarial team time to assess all requested objects, determine if they can safely be removed from storage for study, and prepare them for viewing. Visits are limited to normal museum hours and are dependent upon teaching, programming, and staff availability.
You can research our collection online through the Iowa Digital Library.
Questions?
Please contact Sarah Luko, assistant registrar rights and reproductions, with questions.
The Stanley Museum of Art’s collection belongs to the State of Iowa, and we want you to have access to all of it. While only a small percentage of the full collection can be on view at any time, you can make a request to see a specific artwork during our public viewing hours. Space is limited.
You can research our collection online through the Iowa Digital Library.
Contact Sarah Luko, assistant registrar rights and reproductions with questions.
To request images, please first search our online collection for object details and note the artist/maker/culture, title/object name, and accession number of the artwork(s). Then contact Sarah Luko with this information and your intended use of the image.
Sarah Luko
Assistant Registrar Rights and Reproductions
319-467-1207
email sarah
The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art has offered free admission since opening our doors in 1969. Now we’re reaffirming our commitment to community accessibility by also making it free to join our membership program. We want everyone to see themselves at the Stanley Museum of Art!
We recognize the barriers that have long existed in traditional museum membership models, and we believe dues shouldn’t stand in the way of transformational art experiences. By making membership free for all, we’re reflecting our mission of remaining an inclusive and welcoming resource for discovery, inquiry, collaboration, and creativity.
When you become a Stanley Museum of Art member, you join a community with a shared passion for art and engagement. As a member, you’ll enjoy:
- Monthly e-newsletters and other museum communications
- Advance notice of museum programs, exhibitions, and events
- Lifetime membership
Child carriers must be worn by an adult to the front of their body. Single-occupant strollers are welcome. Oversize and jogging strollers may not be brought into the galleries.
Bottle and breastfeeding are welcome throughout the museum. A Family Quiet Room on the third floor is also available for your use.
Infant changing tables are available in the first floor single-user restroom and the Family Quiet Room, as well as within the accessible stalls of gendered restrooms on the third floor.
A Family Quiet Room is available on the museum’s third floor.
The Stanley Museum of Art welcomes all, including those assisted by service animals, to visit our galleries, connect with our collections, and participate in our programs. The Stanley complies with Iowa law and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), and allows service animals trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability into all public areas of the museum.
The museum does not allow Emotional Support Animals (ESA) on site. Emotional Support Animals, Comfort Animals, or Therapy Animals are not considered service animals under the ADA.
The following questions will be asked of each visitor with a service animal:
• Is the service animal required because of a disability?
• What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
If an animal presents a threat to other visitors or to works of art, or becomes a nuisance, the handler will be asked to remove the animal from the premises.
Seating is available throughout the museum, and lightweight folding stools can also picked up near the elevators on the second floor.
Tours and Groups
We design tours to engage and spark your curiosity! Visitors of all ages are welcome to join us on a guided tour, led by a museum educator or docent. We hope you'll leave your tour with a sense of excitement and wonder, curious to learn more about the art in our collection.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in a tour or program, please contact the Stanley in advance at 319-335-1727.