Arts and attractions

Fountain of the Four Seasons sculpture by Christian Petersen.
Exhibits Calendar
Anderson Sculpture Garden | contact
South of Morrill Hall, free
- "Ginnever: Transforming Perspectives," through fall 2022
Brunnier Art Museum | contact
Mondays and Tuesday by appointment only; 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; closed on university holidays and during break (Nov. 30-Jan. 26), $8 suggested donation
- "Art Nouveau Innovation: Danish Porcelain from an American Collector," organized by the Museum of Danish America, Elk Horn, Iowa from the collection of Dr. Todd Reiser, Jan. 25 through May 9
- "Compelling Ground: Landscapes, Environments, and Peoples of Iowa," Jan. 25 through July 23
- "Recent Acquisitions," Jan. 25 through July 23
Christian Petersen Art Museum | contact
Mondays and Tuesday by appointment only; 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, closed Nov. 30-Jan. 26, $8 suggested donation
- "From Time Immemorial: Art as Commemoration," through Summer 2021
- "Perceptions of Identity: Paintings by Rose Frantzen," Jan. 25 through July 3
"Virtual program, Faces of Iowa State "Portrait Cam" Livestream, March 3 (times will be posted on University Museums' website and social media channels on March 1)
Central campus, noon-4 p.m. Monday-Friday when ISU is in session, $8 suggested donation
- "Judging Books by Their Fanciful Covers," through March 31, 2021
- "Flicker and Flame: Whale Oil and Kerosene Lamps," Feb. 8 through Oct. 29
Gallery 181 | 515-294-7428
College of Design, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, free
- "Every Step Toward Home," features artwork by Iowa artist Melissa Airy, through Feb. 12
Memorial Union | contact
- Memorial Union Art Gallery, 1568 Memorial Union, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday
Parks Library | contact
Special Collections and University Archives, 403 Parks Library, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, free
- "A Home Away From Home: The George A. Jackson Black Cultural Center," an exhibition to recognize the 2020 50th Anniversary of the George A. Jackson Black Cultural Center, Feb. through Dec. 2021.
- Online exhibits: archives.lib.iastate.edu
Throughout Parks Library
- "Art in Parks," features contemporary women artists, ongoing
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, $9 (youth $4.50, free for members)
Hughes Conservatory
- "Mirror, Mirror on the Phal," featuring Phalaenopsis orchids
Textiles and Clothing Museum, Mary Alice Gallery | contact
1015 Morrill Hall, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, free

Reiman Gardens
Campus attractions
- The Brunnier Art Museum
- Christian Petersen Art Museum
- Farm House Museum
- The Gentle Doctor sculpture
- Grant Wood murals
- Hilton Coliseum
- Iowa State Center
- Iowa State University Research Park
- Jack Trice Stadium
- Reiman Gardens
- Veenker Memorial Golf Course
- C6 Virtual Reality Applications Center
Highlights
Best public rose garden
Iowa State's Reiman Gardens has been named the best public rose garden in the U.S.
Most beautiful campus
Iowa State's campus includes over 2,500 public works of art and was rated as one of America's 25 most beautiful in the book, The Campus as a Work of Art.
Carillon
The 10-bell carillon chime installed in the Campanile in 1899 was the first scientifically tuned bell chime outside of England; the carillon has 50 bells today.
Building of the 20th Century
Iowa State's Stephens Auditorium was named Iowa's "Building of the 20th Century" by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Iowa Chapter.
Most Grant Wood murals
Iowa State has the largest Grant Wood murals in the nation, including two WPA projects located in Parks Library -- "Breaking the Sod" and "When Tillage Begins, Other Arts Follow."
Seamless curtain
The main stage curtain in Stephens Auditorium is seamless, made entirely of silk, measures 85 by 35 feet and weighs 3,000 pounds. It was woven in Kyoto, Japan, on the world's largest continuous loom.
Accredited museum
The University Museums at Iowa State is one of only 10 percent of museums in the nation to be accredited by the American Association of Museums.
Medallion site
Iowa State's central campus was one of only three university campuses to make the American Society of Landscape Architect's 1999 centennial listing of "Medallion Sites."
Most Christian Petersen sculptures
Iowa State holds the nation's largest campus public collection of sculptures by Christian Petersen, who was artist-in-residence from 1934 to 1955.
University Museums' Collection
You can take a virtual look at the University Museums’ Collection of over 30,000 objects Digital Art on Campus project.