Waterloo Center for the Arts

Waterloo Center for the Arts Discover the ARTS...we have something creative for you and your entire family! Gallery hours are:
Tuesday - Saturday | 10AM - 5PM. Sundays | 1PM - 4PM.
(476)

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

BASKET CLASS!! Hi friends, there are still have openings in our egg basket class with artist Jennifer Heckmann. Jennifer...
07/11/2025

BASKET CLASS!! Hi friends, there are still have openings in our egg basket class with artist Jennifer Heckmann. Jennifer is a certified Iowa teacher and is an expert basket weaver. Class is Sunday, July 20 | 10-4pm. To register visit waterloocenterforthearts.org or call 319.291.4490.

By the end of a single day, you will have completed your very own egg basket!

07/11/2025

We've got one more week until ¡Fiesta: A Celebration of Latino Culture!

The Waterloo Center for the Arts is partnering with Veridian Credit Union to host ¡Fiesta! for a fun-filled day of activities on Saturday, July 19th. In presenting the event, the goal is to provide the community with a chance to experience a variety of Latino traditions. This family-friendly outdoor festival will feature Latino food vendors and live entertainment including, traditional dance performances, dance lessons, an opportunity to sit in on a Cedar Valley Chamber music rehearsal, a hip-hop performance, and kid’s activities including crafts, games, piñata and face painting. The event kicks off at 1:00 pm and admission is free and open to the public. Additional support for ¡Fiesta! is provided by Friends of the Art Center, and Martinez Concrete.

Throughout the festival, food and beverages will be available for purchase from Bosco’s Fusion, Dona Mari’s Tacos, Taqueria y Antojitos La Chatita, Cocina de Sujey and Catering and Bosco’s and MORE!

¡Fiesta! Schedule
1:00 - 9:30PM | Food Vendors
1:00 - 7:30PM | Bounce House and Face Painting
1:00 - 5:00PM | Vendors, Booths and Kids Activities
1:00 - 6:30PM | Performances, Music and MORE!
2:00, 3:00 & 4:00PM | Piñata
5:30 - 9:30PM | Live Music by Grupo Ritual

It's a great night to be inside experiencing two new and exceptional exhibitions! Come on over to the WCA!
07/10/2025

It's a great night to be inside experiencing two new and exceptional exhibitions!

Come on over to the WCA!

Mary Lisa has been diligently working on a tea pot in the ceramic studio and as her class comes to a close, wheel throwi...
07/10/2025

Mary Lisa has been diligently working on a tea pot in the ceramic studio and as her class comes to a close, wheel throwing session 4 will commence soon! Limited spots remain available for this Wednesday evening class; prospective participants can visit waterloocenterforthearts.org to register.

07/09/2025

Grab your friends and grab your tickets for the year's best tasting event of the summer!

Cedar Valley Stem & Stein gives you the opportunity to sample from over 40 different food and drink vendors from all around Iowa and beyond! Festival admission includes a commemorative tasting glass and UNLIMITED samples of food, beer, wine and distilled spirits with non-alcoholic options available as well.

This year's Cedar Valley Stem & Stein presented in part by Hy-Vee and the Waterloo Center for the Arts are on sale now!!!

Grab your tickets today!
https://waterloocenterforthearts.ticketspice.com/cedar-valley-stem-stein

Tickets are $40 per person.
Group pricing is available at $5 off of the ticket price!

Cedar Valley Stem & Stein
Saturday, August 9 | 4:00-8:00PM
RiverLoop Amphitheatre | Downtown Waterloo

Here's the list of this year's confirmed vendors with MORE TO COME! Plus, sample from a wide selection of delicious HyVee foods created by their incredible catering team!

Wine
Winneshiek Wildberry Winery
Johnson Bros Gallo Division
SGWS of Iowa
Fireside Winery

Beer
Tellurian Brewing
Parallel Brewery Collective
Second State Brewing
Founders Brewing Co
Big Grove Brewery
Millstream Brewing
Limestone Brewers, LLC
Allerton Brewing Company
Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Fahr Beverage
Bremer Brewing Company
NoCoast Beer Co.
CRAZE

Cocktails
Surfside (Cocktails)
Atomic Brands
Mark Anthony Brands
Carbliss
Fever Tree featuring Sazerac

Spirits
Blue Ox Vodka
Field of Dreams Whiskey
173 Craft Distillery
Bob Nichols

Ciders
Fishback & Stephenson Cider
Paha Cider

Non-alcoholic & Food
A+ Berry
Mama Yeya's Home Bakery
Edgewood Locker

Thank you to GreenState Credit Union, Mediacom and OnMedia TV & Digital Marketing Sales for your partnership in sponsoring this event.

We have two brand new exhibitions open for viewing in our Forsberg Riverside Galleries AND an artist reception scheduled...
07/07/2025

We have two brand new exhibitions open for viewing in our Forsberg Riverside Galleries AND an artist reception scheduled for this Thursday, July 10!

View Echoes of Kathmandu Valley. Artist, Riva Nayaju, is a graphic design educator and architect specializing in typography, motion graphics, and print design. This exhibition represents her expressive work in watercolor and ink, showcasing the temples, houses, and streets of her home country, Nepal. She states, “In watercolor, I find a medium that perfectly captures the fluidity of my thoughts and the vibrancy of my memories. It allows me to express the nuances of my cultural heritage and personal experiences with a delicate yet decisive touch. Through my art, I am able to share the beauty and spirit of my journey, creating a visual dialogue that resonates with viewers and invites them to explore the depth and richness of my artistic vision.”

Riva Nayaju’s Echoes of Kathmandu Valley is accompanied by a WCA collection exhibition titled Nepalese Masks and Figures from the Kohler Foundation. These striking, fragile masks and figures from Nepal reflect the complex lifeways and history of that country. The objects were a bequest to the Waterloo Center for the Arts in 2019 by the Kohler Foundation whose many initiatives include the preservation of art by self-taught artists.

Join us for an artist reception, demonstration and gallery talk with Riva Nayaju on Thursday, July 10!

Artist Reception
Thursday, July 10 | 5:30 - 7:30PM
Admission is Free

Thank you to Friends of the Art Center for sponsoring this reception!

07/06/2025

🚨RESCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT🚨
Mother Nature may have had other plans today, but we’re not giving up! We’re thrilled to announce that the Fireworks AND the B2wins have been RESCHEDULED for Friday, July 11 at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre! We are still finalizing some details, but plan to join us from 6-10pm on Friday night for the B2wins' final show in Iowa and fireworks that will have you ooohing and awwwwing.

Due to inclement weather this evenings Red, White & Loo the Mayor's Fireworks activities have been cancelled and will be...
07/05/2025

Due to inclement weather this evenings Red, White & Loo the Mayor's Fireworks activities have been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.

TONIGHT’S FIREWORKS POSTPONED.
07/05/2025

TONIGHT’S FIREWORKS POSTPONED.

Mayor’s Fireworks Show in Waterloo Postponed Due to Severe Weather Risk

WATERLOO, IA — The City of Waterloo has made the difficult decision to postpone tonight’s Mayor’s Fireworks Show downtown due to the forecasted threat of severe weather. This includes all entertainment and vendors.

Current weather models show an 80% chance of high winds and lightning during the evening hours, precisely when the fireworks setup and launch would need to occur. Given the elevated risk to public safety and the crews involved in staging the event, the show cannot be safely executed tonight.

“We appreciate everyone’s excitement for this annual tradition,” said Mayor Quentin Hart. “But the safety of our residents, visitors, volunteers, and staff must come first. We’re grateful for your understanding and continued support.”

The City will announce a rescheduled date for the fireworks show as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

07/04/2025

Address

Waterloo, IA

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+13192914490

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Waterloo Center for the Arts posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Waterloo Center for the Arts:

Share