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...

Join the UI Libraries, the Stanley Museum of Art, and the UI Museum of Natural History for the Iowa City Downtown District's Spring Gallery Walk! This annual free event invites everyone to take a self-guided tour of shops and galleries showcasing local art and exhibitions in downtown Iowa City.

Main Library Gallery: Visit Orchestrating Community: The Public Service of Iowa Conductor James Dixon to see photographs, letters, artifacts, and more from Special Collections and Archives and the Rita...

The Stanley welcomes visitors to a grand opening reception during the Spring Gallery Walk. Join us to celebrate the opening of two new exhibitions, The Black Gold Tapestry, and Flex: Masculinities in the Arts of Global Africa. Enjoy refreshments and music in the lobby, and head up to the galleries to experience the stunning new exhibitions on view. This program is free and open to all.

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 winter season wouldn’t be complete without a snowy art project on your day off from school! Children will create their very own winter wonderland using cutting, pasting, and coloring 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...

This February, the Stanley has partnered with students at the Afro-American Cultural Center to celebrate Black History Month through two Crafternoons. Our Friday, Feb. 13 and Friday, Feb. 27 Crafternoons will be collaborative events, focused on helping highlight Black voices and cultural heritage through making activities and community building. Join us on Feb. 13 for self-led crafting, and on Feb. 27 for a led craft from the Afro-American Cultural Center's executive directors.

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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.

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 Feb. 16 to 22, 2026.

Snack and supplies provided.

Celebrate the spirit of carnival at the museum on your day off from school! Create your very own dazzling Mardi Gras mask using a variety of of colorful paint markers and embellishments.

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...

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...

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

Tours start at 2 p.m. 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 2–3 p.m.

Refreshments 3–4 p.m.

Photo by Grace Troutman.

This February, the Stanley has partnered with students at the Afro-American Cultural Center to celebrate Black History Month through two Crafternoons. Our Friday, Feb. 13 and Friday, Feb. 27 Crafternoons will be collaborative events, focused on helping highlight Black voices and cultural heritage through making activities and community building. Join us on Feb. 13 for self-led crafting, and on Feb. 27 for a led craft from the Afro-American Cultural Center's executive directors.

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Need a break at...

Happy Valentine’s Week, Hawkeyes!

For this month’s Night at the Museum, stop by for Date Night on Feb. 12. We’ll have delectable Valentine’s desserts, mocktails, a Valentine’s card collaging station, and a Polaroid photo booth. Bring friends, partners — the people you love!

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...