Architecture @ Hand Walking Tours
Guided by design professionals, these tours of downtown Des Moines provide an opportunity for local residents and visitors to appreciate the rich architectural heritage of Iowa's capitol city. Tours are held on the third Thursday of every month from May through September. Multiple tour options are available. Tours leave from the IAF office (400 Locust, Suite 100) at 5:30 PM.
The Iowa Architectural Foundation also celebrates National Bike Month in May by offering an architectural tour of Des Moines in conjunction with the Des Moines Area Bicycle Collective. The 2013 event will be held on Mother's Day.
Architecture by Children (ABC) Drawing Contest
Started in 2009, this drawing contest is for all Iowa students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The 2013 theme is 'Favorite Iowa Architecture.' Contest entries are due in April.
View the 2013 winners HERE!
Des Moines Public Schools Community Education
IAF is collaborating with the Des Moines Public Schools for comunity education courses. Three courses have been developed. The first two are Architecture in Downtown Des Moines and Des Moines Residential Architecture. Each course is composed of three sessions – an introductory lecture, a walking tour, and exploration of architectural photography, architectural sketching, or research. The third course, Adult Architectural Photography, began in fall 2012.
Architecture Month Lecture Series
Conducted every April to celebrate Iowa Architecture Month, the Lecture Series educates the public on various design-related topics. These free lectures will be conducted during architecture month (April). The 2013 topic is "Skyscrapers."
Past topics:
2012 -- City Beautiful in Des Moines
2011 -- Sacred Spaces
2010 -- Green 101: What is Green Architecture?
2009 -- 100 Years of Iowa Architecture
ArKIDtec-Sure!
A teacher-delivered presentation that introduces 4th - 6th grade students to the concepts of space, light, and color as well as different architectural styles used throughout history. A condensed version of this program is presented each year in collaboration with the State Historical Museum.
In addition to the main ArKIDtec-Sure! presentation, the following supplemental modules are available:
- Architecture in the Lifetime of George Washington Carver with Victorian House activity
- Telling the Story of Iowa through Architecture with Pioneer Living activity
- Residential Architecture During the Civil War with Civil War House Detective activity
Community Design Program
Since 2001, this program has assisted mostly rural communities with design issues involving downtown revitalization, streetscapes, and gateway entrances using a transparent decision-making process to arrive at a community vision.
Snapshot Iowa
Launched in 2011, our newest youth education program encourages 7th - 12th grade students across Iowa to explore architecture in their community by submitting photographs featuring local architecture or architectural elements. The 2013 theme is "Favorite Iowa Place." Entries are due in March.
View the 2013 winners HERE
