Discover your impact at University Museums

Supporting University Museums at Iowa State University can reflect your passions, your giving capacity, and what inspires you most, just like the art and culture we share. Gifts of all sizes make a meaningful impact across key areas, including art acquisitions, student experiences, conservation, educational programs, and exhibitions, helping expand access to the arts and enriching learning for all.

Fund Descriptions

  • University Museums Fund for Excellence (Acct. 2702983): The Fund for Excellence is used at the Warren and Beverly Madden Director and Chief Curator’s discretion to support all aspects of University Museums operations, including exhibitions, educational programs, special projects, conservation and care, and other department needs. 
  • University Museums Membership (Acct. 2327122): Funds will be used to support the operations, priority programs and initiatives of the University Museums. 

  • University Museums Special Programs & Projects (Acct 2703561): Funds will be used to support the operations, priority programs and initiatives of University Museums. 
  • Elizabeth & Byron R. Anderson Sculpture Garden Endowment: This endowed fund supports maintenance, care, education, sculpture acquisition and curating of the Elizabeth & Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden 
  • University Museums Exhibition & Education Fund (Acct 2700832): Fund will be used to support University Museums exhibitions and education. 

  • University Museums Acquisitions Fund (Acct. 2353512): This fund supports acquisitions of significant works of art that enrich or expand the permanent collection, enhancing the educational and aesthetic impact. 
  • Anderson Sculpture Garden Expansion (Acct. 2706679):  Project expanding the footprint of the Anderson Sculpture Garden and acquiring sustainable plants in the New Perennial Plant Movement. This expansion establishes a 21st century garden design that is adjacent to the 19th century Central Campus Lawn, and the 20th century green space between the Parks Library and Alumni Hall. The Garden designer is Austin Eischeid (ISU ‘11). 

  • University Museums Conservation & Care (Acct. 2300005): Funds will be used to conserve and repair art in the permanent collection. This fund supports art in the Brunnier Art Museum, Farm House Museum and Christian Petersen Art Museum collections. 
  • University Museums Christian Petersen Programs & Projects (Acct. 2306022): Funds will be used for the care and conservation, exhibition, education, scholarship and acquisition of Christian Petersen’s works of art, and to support his legacy. 
  • Richard H. & Charlotte L Forsythe Endowment for the Art on Campus Conservation Program (Acct: 2300006): Funds will be used to conserve and restore the Art on Campus Collection.

  • Curator of Academic Engagement Endowment (Acct 2700334): This fund supports a full-time P&S position for the Curator of Academic Engagement. It covers salary, benefits, operational supplies, operating costs, including professional travel, equipment procurement and maintenance of equipment, participation in professional societies, and ongoing professional development. 

  • Lynette Pohlman Student Mentoring Scholarship (Acct: SG2705243): Funds will be used to support University Museums student mentoring, internships and scholarships. Students will be competitively selected each year. 
  • Margaret E. Davidson Museum Intern (Acct: 2300004): Funds will be used for university internships for Iowa State University students and student employees interested in the study of museum administration, collection management, curating, educational programming or public relations at Iowa State University.  

Make your gift today.

Your donation directly supports art, learning, and collaboration.

  • Give Now

Open Giving Opportunities

  • Extending Iowa State's 'Campus Beautiful' Aesthetic into the 21st Century

    University Museums is seeking private gifts to support the creation and long-term care of a new expanded sculpture garden that will enhance campus beauty, public art engagement, and educational opportunities. The project is expected to increase tourism and cultural engagement by elevating the campus’s national visibility as a Medallion Site recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architects.

    January 20, 2026

  • Art, Education and Outreach

    Founded in 1975, University Museums at Iowa State University has long enriched campus life through the visual arts, supporting learning, creativity, and cultural understanding. Philanthropic support enables the museum to present dynamic exhibitions, expand and preserve its permanent collection, publish scholarly research, and provide educational outreach that engages diverse audiences throughout the Iowa State educational experience.

    October 28, 2025

  • Developing the Next Generation of Museums Professionals

    Donor support helps University Museums provide meaningful internship, assistantship, and fellowship opportunities that prepare students for careers in museums and the arts. By investing in these opportunities, donors help train the next generation of museum professionals and foster a lasting appreciation for the arts within future communities.

    May 18, 2026

  • Advancing Education through Engaging Exhibitions

    Exhibitions at University Museums play a central role in advancing the museum’s mission to foster understanding and appreciation of the visual arts, presenting 12–14 curated exhibitions across five campus locations. Donor support is essential for funding guest curators, visiting artists, lecturers, conservators, educational programming, and student internships that bring exhibitions to life and strengthen hands-on learning opportunities at Iowa State University.

    November 24, 2025

  • Storing and Preserving the Collections

    To preserve the permanent collection for future generations, University Museums relies on specialized, high-density storage systems designed specifically for art conservation and collections care. Donor support is essential for expanding storage capacity and maintaining the long-term preservation of the collections. Continued investment also supports digital accessibility through the museum’s online searchable collections database, making artworks available to students, scholars, and the public worldwide.

    November 19, 2025

  • Preserving Art for Future Generations

    University Museums at Iowa State University cares for and preserves more than 30,000 works of art and cultural objects in its Permanent Collection and Art on Campus Collection. We collaborate with nationally recognized conservators, architects, and art historians who follow professional standards established by the American Institute for Conservation. Donor support is essential to sustaining Iowa State’s tradition of arts excellence and advancing the university’s land-grant mission through the stewardship and preservation of its collections.

    December 11, 2025

  • Educating and Enriching Through Art

    University Museums at Iowa State University offers dynamic educational programs that foster visual literacy, critical thinking, and creative engagement through the arts. Many programs also include virtual and digital access to broaden participation. Philanthropic support for initiatives such as the Endowed Curator of Academic Engagement and the Fund for Excellence helps sustain exhibitions, educational outreach, research, conservation, staffing, and innovative programming that advance Iowa State’s land-grant mission.

    October 22, 2025

  • Growing the Permanent Collection through Acquisitions

    Through strategic acquisitions and collections management, the University Museums advances education, creativity, and critical thinking by connecting art with science and technology. Support through the University Museums Acquisitions Fund or named endowments helps expand the collection, enhance learning opportunities, and inspire future generations through the transformative power of art.

    December 10, 2025