Social Saturday: Friendsgiving

Join the Des Moines Art Center’s November Social Saturday event: Friendsgiving! Enjoy crafts in the Art School studios, a scavenger hunt, a guided tour, storytime, treats in the Art Center Café, and so much more.

Schedule of Events:

11:15 – 11:30 am | Storytime (all ages)

Levitt Auditorium

12 – 2 pm | A Taste of ReelAbilities film screening

The ReelAbilities Film Festival is the largest festival in the US dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. The 2026 Des Moines festival, “A Taste of ReelAbilities,” is a screening of recent short films. Learn more. *Films later in the program are intended for adult audiences.

Levitt Auditorium

1 pm | Guided Tour (all ages)

Meet in the Macomber Lobby

Drop-in Activities (11 am – 2 pm):

Museum Galleries

Show your art appreciation! Grab paper leaves in the lobby and place one in front of a work of art or something in the museum you are grateful for.

Find the Social Saturday interactive Art Cart in the galleries.

Complete a scavenger hunt in the galleries and return your findings to the front desk for a small prize.

Macomber Lobby

Teaching artists and students from the Art Center’s Community Access Program will have artwork on display and showcasing CAP programs and offerings.

Grab a complimentary pie-themed cookie in the lobby – pumpkin or cranberry flavors available.

Enjoy the Art Center’s Paint-n-Play station.

Art School Studios

Explore creativity and your inner artist! Enjoy unique Social Saturday: Friendsgiving art activities in the Art School, organized this month by the Art Center’s Community Access Program, Beads of Belonging – identity friendship bracelets and A Place for Everyone – community paper quilts.

Easterseals will be demonstrating adaptive tools in the studios.

Art Center Café

Stop by for a sit-down lunch, a delicious pastry, and a full coffee and tea menu. Art Center members receive a 10% discount in the café.

Museum Shop

Browse the Museum Shop to find gifts and souvenirs. Art Center members receive a 10% discount in the Museum Shop. Be sure to check out the clearance section and the $10 and under table!

See our special exhibitions!

“Let Us Gather in a Flourishing Way: Contemporary Latinx Painting” (Anna K. Meredith Gallery)

“Elle Pérez: La Despedida” (A. H. Blank Gallery)

“Artists on Fire” (John Brady Print Gallery)

“Valentin Noujaïm: La Défense” (Pamela Bass-Bookey and Harry Bookey Gallery)

Social Saturdays occur at the Des Moines Art Center on the second Saturday of the month. This event is free to attend, and no registration is required. Social Saturdays will be documented with photography.

For programs in Levitt Auditorium:

We strive to provide live captioning for all events offered in Levitt Auditorium. Due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org.

Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority.