The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art presents Drawn Over: Reclaiming Our Histories.  Featuring the museum’s world-renowned collection of Native American ledger drawings and guest curated by Dr. Jacki Thompson Rand (citizen, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma); Associate Vice Chancellor for Native Affairs, Associate Professor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The show is generously supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art with additional support from John S. and Patricia C...

Chill & Create, a unique and hands-on program, integrates art viewing, art making and mindfulness strategies to provide students with tools to de-stress, manage anxiety, and develop wellness practices. During the 2-hour workshop participants will learn new ways to improve well-being, while benefiting from the positive effects of viewing and making art. No prior art making experience necessary.  The workshop will be led by Dana Keeton, a local board-certified art therapist and licensed mental...

Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...

FREE Part of Hancher's Infinite Dream festival Writer/performer Aaron Pang is an MFA candidate in the University of Iowa’s Nonfiction Writing Program. His in-development thesis Herein Lies the Truth traverses a range of disciplines: creative nonfiction, stand-up comedy, and theatre arts. The work also reckons with complex questions about disability, race, and sexuality. The conversation will include a short presentation of work-in-progress as well as a conversation with faculty members from...

On your days off from school, stop at the Stanley for kid-centered activities and snacks in our lobby. Then, head up to the galleries to try your hand at our scavenger hunts and find a new favorite artwork. For the month of October, we will be creating "spooktacular" model magic monsters using air-dry clay!  

The Iowa City Gallery Walk is back for another year and once again begins at the Stanley! Celebrating one year since the inauguration of its building, the Stanley Museum of Art will be the first stop featured in the 2023 Downtown Fall Gallery Walk on Friday, Oct. 13th from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Experience the museums world-class collection of art, discover the latest acquisitions and gain an understanding of diverse cultures and traditions by visiting the newest exhibition of Native American ledger...

FREE Part of Hancher's Infinite Dream festival Professor Rebekah Kowal is a widely recognized scholar across the dance field and is the executive officer of the University of Iowa’s Department of Dance. Her current research decodes a range of connections between dance practices and 20th century American culture. Irving Berlin’s 1943 hit movie, This Is the Army, depicted how a rag-tag company of civilians came together to produce a camp revue. Kowal's talk examines the role of dance in the...

The Stanley Museum of Art presents a gallery talk on art for Mami Wata by Cory Gundlach, curator of African art. The talk will focus on sculptures by Nigerian artist Joseph Chukwu and Ghanaian artist Eric Adjetey Anang now on view in "History is Always Now,” an exhibition that Gundlach curated for the Stanley Museum’s inaugural installation. This talk is in conjunction with the premiere of the film "Mami Wata" at Film Scene on Oct. 20, 2023. Gundlach will explore the historical contexts...

Join us monthly to generate new creative writing inspired by works in the Stanley collection. Each session will be led by a different talented writer from our area, who will be offering a new prompt and a new approach to ekphrastic writing (writing inspired by visual art). Bring your own notebook and pencil or computer and leave with the beginning of a newly written piece. Co-sponsored by Iowa City Poetry. Teen and adult writers in all genres are welcome. Write at the Stanley meets every fourth...

Please join us for an interdisciplinary conversation at the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art featuring three UI community-engaged scholars who have recently published co-authored, collaborative works. A Q&A will follow the remarks.

Pog by Lyn Lee tells the story of a small monster named Pog. He is brave but has one major fear: CHILDREN! Are they lurking under his bed? Hiding in a cupboard? They could be anywhere. What's a monster to do? After the story, kids can choose to make a monster mask or crown. Workshop led by Debra Marqusee. Stanley Creates is planned with families in mind; UI students are also welcome to attend. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited. Please reserve your spot at https:/...

In this class, participants will draw artworks in the museum's collection. Each session will focus on a different piece. The sessions will begin with an introduction to and discussion of the selected work. Participants will be encouraged to pursue their own visions and to take inspiration from the piece. Classes will be held Sept. 17, Oct. 29, Nov. 19, Dec. 17.  Pencils and sketchbooks/paper are the only art-making materials allowed in the galleries. The museum has golf pencils with erasers and...

Chill & Create, a unique and hands-on program, integrates art viewing, art making and mindfulness strategies to provide students with tools to de-stress, manage anxiety, and develop wellness practices. During the 2-hour workshop participants will learn new ways to improve well-being, while benefiting from the positive effects of viewing and making art. No prior art making experience necessary.  The workshop will be led by Dana Keeton, a local board-certified art therapist and licensed mental...

Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...

Join us for our next installment of Night at the Museum—a series of monthly events for students that occur Thursday nights, when the museum is open late.  This Night at the Museum event will be a night of fun with snacks and an art-themed bingo game led by a local drag queen! More information to come. 

In this class, participants will draw artworks in the museum's collection. Each session will focus on a different piece. The sessions will begin with an introduction to and discussion of the selected work. Participants will be encouraged to pursue their own visions and to take inspiration from the piece. Classes will be held Sept. 17, Oct. 29, Nov. 19, Dec. 17.  Pencils and sketchbooks/paper are the only art-making materials allowed in the galleries. The museum has golf pencils with erasers and...

Join us monthly to generate new creative writing inspired by works in the Stanley collection. Each session will be led by a different talented writer from our area, who will be offering a new prompt and a new approach to ekphrastic writing (writing inspired by visual art). Bring your own notebook and pencil or computer and leave with the beginning of a newly written piece. Co-sponsored by Iowa City Poetry. Teen and adult writers in all genres are welcome. Write at the Stanley meets every fourth...

Chill & Create, a unique and hands-on program, integrates art viewing, art making and mindfulness strategies to provide students with tools to de-stress, manage anxiety, and develop wellness practices. During the 2-hour workshop participants will learn new ways to improve well-being, while benefiting from the positive effects of viewing and making art. No prior art making experience necessary.  The workshop will be led by Dana Keeton, a local board-certified art therapist and licensed mental...

Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...

Make the Stanley your study spot for finals week. We'll have free cocoa, coffee, cider, 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.