culture

Des Moines Public Art: Downtown Murals and Venues Visitors Must Explore

Downtown locations and documented public murals provide specific sites and programs for those seeking street art in the city.

By Des Moines Culture Desk · Published July 18, 2026

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This article was written by AI from the linked sources and was not reviewed by a journalist before publishing. The Daily Des Moines is part of The Daily Network and follows our reasonable editorial care.

The Daily Des Moines

Downtown Des Moines features an 8,000+ square-foot 3D anamorphic mural by Dutch artist Leon Keer at 901 Grand Ave. The work was commissioned in 2025 by the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and Principal Financial Group and includes an augmented reality interactive component accessible through a mobile app.

Documented Murals Across the City

The city contains at least 20 publicly documented murals. These include the 80,000-square-foot Martin Luther King Jr. mural, which is recorded as one of the largest of its kind in the nation. Local artist Ben Schuh has created multiple prominent murals in Des Moines, including the work titled "Cheers."

Public Art Organizations and Access

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and Principal Financial Group supported the 2025 commission at 901 Grand Ave. This project adds to the existing collection of at least 20 murals that visitors can locate through public listings. The augmented reality element at the Leon Keer mural provides an additional way to engage with the piece once on site.

Information about mural locations draws from listings maintained by local cultural and tourism sources. The 2025 commission date marks the addition of the interactive 3D work at the specified downtown address.

Practical Steps for Visitors

Visitors can begin at 901 Grand Ave. to view the Leon Keer mural and test the mobile app for its augmented reality features. Listings of the full set of at least 20 murals, including the Martin Luther King Jr. piece, appear on sites maintained by downtown partnerships and regional arts organizations. Checking these sources before travel supports locating the works without additional assumptions about current conditions.

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