West Des Moines, IA
Home MenuPublic Art Collection
West Des Moines is home to a diverse collection of permanent public art. Use the guide below to discover the stories behind these pieces and where to find them throughout the city.
Public Art Projects and Reports
Submit a Public Art Project Idea
Do you have a suggestion for a new public art project in West Des Moines? Share your ideas with us through our project survey.
Submit Your Project IdeaArts & Economic Prosperity Report
The Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study by Americans for the Arts shows the economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture in our community. This study is conducted every five years to measure how the arts support local jobs and government revenue.
About the Public Arts Advisory Commission
Established in 2011, the Commission advises the City Council on integrating art into our public spaces. Our goal is to ensure that public art in West Des Moines is high-quality, diverse, and reflects our unique community identity.
Our Vision
The vision of the West Moines Public Art Program is the creation of a diverse collection of public works of art of high aesthetic and intellectual quality and excellence along with a program that promotes cultural expression and artistic appreciation. At the heart of the aspiration for public art in West Des Moines is the wish for an authentic, rich, and diverse arts culture that is seen and understood as uniquely arising from the community – an arts culture that benefits and enriches all those who live in, work in, and visit West Des Moines.
Our Mission
The mission of the West Des Moines Public Art Program is to create a city with enriching public spaces incorporating public works of art that offer moments of discovery and opportunities for reflection and growth--a city with public art woven into the fine grain detail of the public infrastructure. The Public Art Program champions excellence in art, design, architecture, and landscape. The Public Art Program and Collection should be the most visible symbols of West Des Moines’ commitment to creativity, diversity of ideas and expression and socio-cultural multiplicity. A creative city provides inclusive and equitable environments for its residents, business communities and visitors, extending opportunities for life-long learning and community connection.