You don't need to know anything about art to come here.

Named for Iowa State's founding campus artist—who sculpted and taught here from 1934 to 1955—the Christian Petersen Art Museum is a quiet and vibrant spot in the middle of everything. Contemporary exhibitions change regularly alongside Petersen's legacy works of art: bronze figures, stone carvings, works made during the Depression that still carry weight.

Between classes, between obligations, this is a place to pause, ponder and just be. No expectations, no performance. Anyone can wander in to enjoy galleries on the first and ground floors of Morrill Hall, for free.

Visit

Hours of Operation

Fetching hours...
 
Christian Petersen Art Museum

Location

Morrill Hall, Ground and First Floors
603 Morrill Road
Ames, Iowa 50011

Campbell Gallery, 1017 Morrill Hall 
Reiman Gallery, 0003 Morrill Hall 
Petersen Gallery, ground floor hallway 

Policies

Please do not touch objects unless permission is given on signage.
Food and drink are not permitted in the galleries.
Large backpacks and carried items may be left with the desk attendant, who is not responsible for lost items.

Also in Morrill Hall

Textiles and Clothing Museum

Cost

Free admission; donations fund our exhibitions, education programs, and student opportunities.

Getting Here

The ISU campus is bike and pedestrian friendly. Morrill Road's west sidewalk is open for both pedestrians and bicyclists. CyRide operates several bus routes for maneuvering around campus and Ames.

Accessibility

There is an exterior ramp to the lower level on the east side of Morrill Hall. The west entrance also is accessible. There is an elevator inside the building.

History of Christian Petersen Art Museum

The Christian Petersen Art Museum, named after the nation’s first permanent campus artist-in-residence, opened in a historic, renovated Morrill Hall in 2007. Christian Petersen (Danish American, 1885-1961) sculpted and taught at Iowa State University from 1934 through 1955 and is considered the founder of the Art on Campus Collection. University Museums strives to preserve his legacy and continue his tradition of art on the Iowa State University campus through exhibitions, contemporary acquisitions and educational programs. The Christian Petersen Art Museum exhibits works of art by Christian Petersen in addition to a rotating schedule of exhibitions that includes contemporary art, public art, and exhibitions that engage a diverse group of departments across campus.

The Christian Petersen Art Museum is the home of the Christian Petersen Art Collection, the Art on Campus Program, the University Museums’ Visual Literacy and Learning Program, and contemporary changing art exhibitions. The two main art galleries are the Lyle and Nancy Campbell Art Gallery on the main floor and the Roy and Bobbi Reiman Public Art Studio Gallery on the lower level of Morrill Hall.

Current Exhibitions and Upcoming Events