The Dubuque Museum of Art: 150 Years in the Making

The mission of the Dubuque Museum of Art (DuMA) is to create engaging art experiences that excite, inspire, and connect our community. DuMA serves as a space for people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives to gather in order to achieve a deep understanding of the past, an empathetic view of the present, and an inspired outlook for the future. As the first cultural institution in the state, DuMA is celebrating its 150th anniversary. This milestone is an occasion to honor the organization’s legacy and celebrate the tremendous opportunity ahead as the Museum undertakes a monumental capital expansion project.

DuMA stimulates lifelong learning and engagement with arts and culture, attracts tourists and talents to the state, and offers visitors and residents a wide range of experiences that make living, learning, and doing business in Iowa a rewarding experience. The Museum fosters connections across the community and cultivates mutually beneficial partnerships to advance the role of arts in the region through festivals, events, competitions, and calls for artists. DuMA’s educational programs focus on engaging residents of all ages in the arts and supporting local schools. 

DuMA's collection contains approximately 2,700 objects, include the works of internationally acclaimed artists like Grant Wood, Edward S. Curtis, and Arthur Geisert. The Museum has been an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums since 2004 and a Smithsonian Affiliate since 2016, an honor awarded to fewer than 10% of museums nationwide. 

Testimonials

"DuMA is a valuable cultural resource that offers a unique physical and social environment in which to experience and engage with original works of art from different time periods and cultures. When you visit the art museum, you will often see the relevance of art in your own life. We encourage the community to look to DuMA as a resource for life-long learning in the arts." - Andy Mozena, Premier Bank

"We want people to take advantage of the educational opportunities, the permanent collection, the Grant Wood and the Edward Curtis collections. It is a calm and relaxing place to enjoy and be surrounded by art." - Diane and Jim Sass