The Waterloo Center for the Arts' purpose is to initiate and further awareness, appreciation, and support of the arts by a diverse audience. Located within the Art Center is the Phelps Youth Pavilion, our Children's Museum. Phelps Youth Pavilion hours are:
Wednesday - Saturday | 10AM - 4PM
Sundays | 1PM - 4PM. Tours are available on Tuesdays by appointment. Call 319-291-4490 for more information
. Galleries are FREE. Phelps Youth Pavilion is $5 per person or $2 with EBT card. Free for members and kids under the age of 1. World's Window: A Store With A Purpose operates in our gift store location. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11AM - 3PM. Located on the banks of the scenic Cedar River in downtown Waterloo, the Art Center offers outstanding indoor and outdoor rental facilities. Visitors enjoy changing exhibitions in addition to a significant permanent collection including Mexican Folk Art, Midwest Art, American Decorative Arts, International Folk Art and the world's largest public collection of Haitian Art. Galleries are free and open to the public. Art classes and workshops for all ages and levels are offered throughout the year. Visit our website for more details: www.waterloocenterforthearts.org
Events, festivals and concerts take place indoors and outdoors throughout the year at the Art Center, RiverLoop Amphitheatre and Expo Plaza. The Center houses the Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children's Theatre and the Phelps Youth Pavilion. The Youth Pavilion is an interactive children's museum featuring over 40 hands-on exhibits for ages 12 and under to explore. Milk a life-size cow, drive a tractor through a Grant Wood painting, explore the music, language and culture of other countries, and more! Mark's Park splash pad and playground is located next to the Youth Pavilion and open seasonally. Waterloo Center for the Arts is supported by:
City of Waterloo
Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa
Friends of the Art Center
Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
RJ McElroy Trust
Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau Hotel-Motel Tax Fund
Waterloo City Council Discretionary Hotel-Motel Tax Fund
Numerous private donors
