Join us for an informal, guided tour of the Stanley Museum of Art. Our team of docents will lead you through the galleries, exploring highlights from our collection. Perfect for small groups or walk-in visitors, this tour offers a flexible and engaging way to learn about the collection.

No reservations required. Simply drop in and join us for an hour of art appreciation but note that space is limited.

The Drawing Salon focuses on drawing artworks from the museum's collection. Each session will focus on a different artwork. The sessions will begin with an introduction and discussion of the selected work. Participants will be encouraged to pursue their own visions and to take inspiration from the artworks in the gallery.

Pencils and sketchbooks/paper are the only artmaking materials allowed in the galleries. The museum has golf pencils with erasers and clipboards for participants to use. Stools...

Need a break at the end of the week? Swing by the Stanley on Friday afternoons for Crafternoons. Bring whatever low-mess craft you're currently working on (a sketchbook, knitting, embroidery, coloring books, origami—whatever you're into!) or just show up and use some of the various supplies we'll have on hand. No experience required! Light snacks provided. Stay for five minutes or hang out for a while, it's up to you.

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...

Join the 2025–2026 Grant Wood Fellows artists for an evening of discussion about their work and research. The event will be accompanied by light refreshments.

Panel members:

Ada Friedman (Painting & Drawing)

Elizabeth Claire Rose (Printmaking)

Kyle Marshall (Interdisciplinary Performance—Dance)

The Grant Wood Art Colony seeks to provide a creative home for the next generation of artists and continue Grant Wood’s creative advocacy in the School of Art & Art History and the Division of Performing Arts...

Need a break at the end of the week? Swing by the Stanley on Friday afternoons for Crafternoons. Bring whatever low-mess craft you're currently working on (a sketchbook, knitting, embroidery, coloring books, origami—whatever you're into!) or just show up and use some of the various supplies we'll have on hand. No experience required! Light snacks provided. Stay for five minutes or hang out for a while, it's up to you.

The Stanley Museum of Art and SCOPE present a jazz ensemble performance at the museum, free and open to all. More information to come.

Need a break at the end of the week? Swing by the Stanley on Friday afternoons for Crafternoons. Bring whatever low-mess craft you're currently working on (a sketchbook, knitting, embroidery, coloring books, origami—whatever you're into!) or just show up and use some of the various supplies we'll have on hand. No experience required! Light snacks provided. Stay for five minutes or hang out for a while, it's up to you.

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 and...

Once a month, the Stanley hosts events designed to introduce the museum to University of Iowa students through engaging and creative activities. Nights at the Museum events occur on Thursday nights when the museum is open late. These events are planned and developed with the assistance of the Campus Engagement Coordinator, a student employee who works with museum staff to engage student audiences. Information about past Nights at the Museum can be found here. Attending student events also...

Need a break at the end of the week? Swing by the Stanley on Friday afternoons for Crafternoons. Bring whatever low-mess craft you're currently working on (a sketchbook, knitting, embroidery, coloring books, origami—whatever you're into!) or just show up and use some of the various supplies we'll have on hand. No experience required! Light snacks provided. Stay for five minutes or hang out for a while, it's up to you.

Kick of your Valentine's Day celebration at the Stanley Museum of Art with love-themed tours led by docents.

Tours start at 2:00 pm followed by refreshments in the lobby. Perfect for those wishing for a pre-dinner activity and those who prefer to spend a cozy evening at home after enjoying some art.

Space is limited; registration recommended. Register at https://uiowa.doubleknot.com/event/valentines-tour/3128647.

Tour time 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Refreshments 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Photo by Grace Troutman.

The Drawing Salon focuses on drawing artworks from the museum's collection. Each session will focus on a different artwork. The sessions will begin with an introduction and discussion of the selected work. Participants will be encouraged to pursue their own visions and to take inspiration from the artworks in the gallery.

Pencils and sketchbooks/paper are the only artmaking materials allowed in the galleries. The museum has golf pencils with erasers and clipboards for participants to use. Stools...

Celebrate the spirit of carnival at the museum on your day off from school! Create your very own Mardi Gras mask using a variety of materials.

Space is limited; please reserve your spot at https://uiowa.doubleknot.com/event/schools-out-at-the-stanley-mardi-gras-mask/3114198

Please arrive in time for children to settle in and begin the project at 2 p.m.

School's Out at the Stanley is offered on days when Iowa City Community Schools District has no classes. Art projects are developed with school-aged...

Cozy up for an evening of cross-stitch, snacks, and good times at the Stanley. Free and open to all!

The Stanley has partnered with ICDD for the upcoming Free Week – a winter festival offering free programming at over 15 venues, celebrating Downtown Iowa City’s Cultural & Entertainment District from February 16 to 22, 2026.

Snack and supplies provided.

Need a break at the end of the week? Swing by the Stanley on Friday afternoons for Crafternoons. Bring whatever low-mess craft you're currently working on (a sketchbook, knitting, embroidery, coloring books, origami—whatever you're into!) or just show up and use some of the various supplies we'll have on hand. No experience required! Light snacks provided. Stay for five minutes or hang out for a while, it's up to you.

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...

Need a break at the end of the week? Swing by the Stanley on Friday afternoons for Crafternoons. Bring whatever low-mess craft you're currently working on (a sketchbook, knitting, embroidery, coloring books, origami—whatever you're into!) or just show up and use some of the various supplies we'll have on hand. No experience required! Light snacks provided. Stay for five minutes or hang out for a while, it's up to you.

Children will create their very own winter home scene using collage, cutting, and pasting techniques that will develop their understanding of depth, scale, and composition.

Space is limited; please reserve your spot at https://uiowa.doubleknot.com/event/schools-out-at-the-stanley-winter-houses/3114201.

Please arrive in time for children to settle in and begin the project at 2 p.m.

School's Out at the Stanley is offered on days when Iowa City Community Schools District has no classes. Art projects...

Need a break at the end of the week? Swing by the Stanley on Friday afternoons for Crafternoons. Bring whatever low-mess craft you're currently working on (a sketchbook, knitting, embroidery, coloring books, origami—whatever you're into!) or just show up and use some of the various supplies we'll have on hand. No experience required! Light snacks provided. Stay for five minutes or hang out for a while, it's up to you.