Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
Civic Center in 2006 | |
Interactive map of Des Moines Civic Center | |
| Address | 221 Walnut Street Des Moines, Iowa, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°35′15″N 93°37′13″W / 41.587424°N 93.620409°W |
| Owner | Des Moines Performing Arts |
| Operator | Des Moines Performing Arts |
| Capacity | 2,744 People |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Public transit | DART |
| Construction | |
| Opened | June 10, 1979 |
| Architect | Charles Hebert & Associates |
| General contractor | The Weitz Company |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Des Moines Civic Center is a 2,744-seat performing arts center belonging to Des Moines Performing Arts located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It has been Iowa's largest theater since it opened on June 10, 1979, and is used for concerts, Broadway shows, ballets, and other special events. The Civic Center building is also home to the 200-seat Stoner Theater, used for smaller theatrical shows and lectures, located on street level. Together with the Stoner Theater, Cowles Commons, and the nearby Temple for Performing Arts, the Civic Center is part of the Des Moines Performing Arts.
Concerts
The Grateful Dead played at the Civic Center on two occasions; the first time on May 29, 1980, and the second time on December 7, 1981.[1]
History
Prior to the construction of the Des Moines Civic Center, KRNT Theater, named for local radio station KRNT, was the main cultural venue. It unexpectedly closed in 1972. Its closure caused many touring productions, including musicals, bands, and artists, to skip Des Moines.[2]
Attempts to pass a referendum to open a new publicly-owned civic center in 1974 failed. In spite of this, a new not-for-profit corporation was formed to build the civic auditorium anyway. The city's largest fundraising effort at the time raised $9.3 million to build the Civic Center in fewer than 90 days.[3]
The Des Moines Civic Center was built on a lot donated by the city of Des Moines, but was built with private funding. Construction began in 1977.[4] The civic center officially opened on June 10, 1979. Its first performance was by the Des Moines Ballet on June 14.[5]
Design
The stage is 28 feet (8.5 m) high and 78 feet (24 m) wide. Backstage there are ten dressing rooms. The theater has two lobbies, each of which has a ceiling height of 50 feet (15 m), skylights, glass walls, and skywalks connecting the theater with most of downtown Des Moines.[6]
Series
- Willis Broadway Series
- Des Moines Symphony
- The Dance Series
- Wellmark Family Series
- Applause Series
- Temple Comedy Series
- Live at the Temple Concert Series
- Lunch Unplugged
- Smart Talk Connected Conversations[7]
References
- ^ "Grateful Dead Venues: Des Moines Civic Center". Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Void Left by Closing of KRNT Theater So Far Is Filled Only By Uncertainty". Des Moines Tribune. October 9, 1972. p. 8. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ Henning, Barbara Beving Long; Patrice K. Beam (2003). Des Moines and Polk County: Flag on the Prairie. Sun Valley, California: American Historical Press. p. 105. ISBN 1-892724-34-0.
- ^ "Encouraging". The Daily Nonpareil. January 16, 1977. p. 23. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ "Des Moines Pins Hopes on Civic Center". Omaha World-Herald. June 9, 1979. p. 20. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ "Des Moines Civic Center". www.desmoinesperformingarts.org. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ "Our Series".