Arts and Culture

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Des Moines parks system receives improved ParkScore, ranking among top 20

The Trust for Public Land has ranked Des Moines Parks and Recreation among the top 20 park systems in the country, the city announced. In 2024, the city of Des Moines’ ParkScore improved from 62.1 …

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Nominations open for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Workplace Excellence Awards

The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce has announced the opening of event registration for its fourth annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Workplace Excellence Awards. According to a news release, the event aims to motivate …

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Des Moines Arts Festival announces Hurd Innovator in the Arts recipient

The Des Moines Arts Festival presented by Nationwide announced Seso Marentes
as the eighth recipient of the G. David Hurd Innovator of the Arts honor. The award is give each year to an individual or …

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Iowa Craft Brew Festival to be held June 1

The Iowa Brewers Guild has announced details of the 14th annual Iowa Craft Brew Festival. The event is from noon to 4 p.m. on June 1 at Water Works Park in Des Moines. Each ticket …

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A Closer Look: Alexa McCarthy

Art shouldn’t be intimidating. But for many people, it is.

Alexa McCarthy, the new executive director of the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation, said a goal of hers is to make art accessible to …

Closeup shot of the chefs preparing a fine dinner at the kitchen in a restaurant in London, England

Des Moines restaurateur takes over Clear Lake’s Surfside Cafe

David Baruthio, the restaurateur who was involved with several Des Moines restaurants, including Baru 66, Blue Tomato and Bistro Nomad, has taken over the Surfside Cafe in Clear Lake, the Globe Gazette reported Thursday. The …

Closeup shot of the chefs preparing a fine dinner at the kitchen in a restaurant in London, England

Applications open for grant program supporting LGBTQ+-owned restaurants

In an ongoing partnership between the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), a certifying body for LGBTQ+-owned businesses nationwide and food-delivery app Grubhub’s Grubhub Community Fund is offering grants through the NGLCC Community Impact Program.…

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2024 Principal Charity Classic to feature recently restored Wakonda Club

Wakonda Club’s $7 million restoration includes a new irrigation system; rebuilt tee boxes; the addition of 10 acres of fairways; rebuilt and expanded greens; rebuilt bunkers and new Dominant X-Treme 7 bent grass planted on…
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After renovation, a ‘park for all abilities’ opens

On May 5, Polk County Conservation opened the Athene North Shore Recreation Area at Easter Lake Park after two years and a $23.1 million renovation. County officials said the new park is the most universally…
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Art Center can’t remove ‘Double Site’ – but city potentially could, judge says

A judge ruled Friday that he will continue to block the Des Moines Art Center from removing a 28-year-old art installation in the city of Des Moines’ Greenwood Park but acknowledged that his order will …