Joint calendar of events for both the UI Museum of Natural History and Old Capitol Museum:

UIPM Calendar of Events

Jane and Her Music: A Musical Celebration of Jane Austen's 250th Birthday promotional image

Jane and Her Music: A Musical Celebration of Jane Austen's 250th Birthday

Saturday, February 1, 2025 1:30pm to 9:00pm
Old Capitol Museum
A musical celebration of the 250th birthday of Jane Austen
Exhibit Opening Celebration for 'A Roll of the Dice: Symbolism in the Sackner Archive' promotional image

Exhibit Opening Celebration for 'A Roll of the Dice: Symbolism in the Sackner Archive'

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 4:00pm to 6:00pm
University of Iowa Main Library
Enjoy refreshments, curator remarks, and an open house in recognition of the spring 2025 Main Library Gallery exhibit, A Roll of the Dice: Symbolism in the Sackner Archive, curated by Rich Dana. Event Schedule  4–6 p.m.: Reception and open house with curator Rich Dana 4:30 p.m.: Brief remarks in the Main Library Gallery  6 p.m.: Opening event ends 8 p.m.: Main Library Gallery closes (open late on Tuesdays) Admission to the gallery is always free. No RSVP required for this event. About the...
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Art & Write Night promotional image

Art & Write Night

Friday, February 7, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...
Read on the Rug promotional image

Read on the Rug

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 10:30am to 11:00am
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
A program designed with our youngest museum lovers in mind. Read on the Rug builds community for families and inspires a sense of wonder, curiosity, and respect for our natural and cultural worlds with stories, sing-alongs, and more.
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Exhibition Opening | it's a fine thing promotional image

Exhibition Opening | it's a fine thing

Thursday, February 13, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Join us for the opening of the exhibition, it's a fine thing This exhibition explores the rich and often overlooked landscape of the Black Midwest, challenging conventional narratives and celebrating the resilience and creativity of Black Midwestern artists.  Program begins at 6 p.m. with opening remarks, followed by refreshments and music. Event concludes at 8 p.m. Learn more: https://stanleymuseum.uiowa.edu/its-a-fine-thing it’s a fine thing is generously supported by the Terra Foundation...
Drawing Salon with Robert Caputo promotional image

Drawing Salon with Robert Caputo

Sunday, February 16, 2025 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Stanley Museum of Art
The Drawing Salon focuses on drawing artworks from the museum's collection. Each session will focus on a different artwork. The sessions will begin with an introduction and discussion of the selected work. Participants will be encouraged to pursue their own visions and to take inspiration from the artworks in the gallery. Pencils and sketchbooks/paper are the only artmaking materials allowed in the galleries. The museum has golf pencils with erasers and clipboards for participants to use...
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Write at the Stanley promotional image

Write at the Stanley

Sunday, February 23, 2025 2:00pm to 4:15pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Write at the Stanley: A Generative Writing Workshop is back for the Spring Semester! Join us monthly to generate new creative writing inspired by works in the Stanley collection. Each session will be led by a different talented writer from our area, who will be offering a new prompt and a new approach to ekphrastic writing (writing inspired by visual art). Bring your own notebook and pencil or computer and leave with the beginning of a newly written piece. Co-sponsored by Iowa City Poetry...
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Art & Write Night promotional image

Art & Write Night

Friday, March 7, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...
Piano Sundays at the Old Capitol: Doreen Lee and UI Collaborative Pianists promotional image

Piano Sundays at the Old Capitol: Doreen Lee and UI Collaborative Pianists

Sunday, March 9, 2025 1:30pm
Old Capitol Museum
Piano Sundays at the Old Capitol Piano Sundays returns for the 2024-25 season! The University of Iowa School of Music, in partnership with the Old Capitol Museum and West Music, is proud to host this annual tradition. Performances will be held in the beautiful Old Capitol Museum Senate Chamber this year, performed on their historic, rebuilt Steinway grand piano “Rose.” This is an incredible opportunity for the community to see and hear the university’s talented piano students and faculty in a...
Read on the Rug promotional image

Read on the Rug

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 10:30am to 11:00am
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
A program designed with our youngest museum lovers in mind. Read on the Rug builds community for families and inspires a sense of wonder, curiosity, and respect for our natural and cultural worlds with stories, sing-alongs, and more.
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Drawing Salon with Robert Caputo promotional image

Drawing Salon with Robert Caputo

Sunday, March 16, 2025 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Stanley Museum of Art
The Drawing Salon focuses on drawing artworks from the museum's collection. Each session will focus on a different artwork. The sessions will begin with an introduction and discussion of the selected work. Participants will be encouraged to pursue their own visions and to take inspiration from the artworks in the gallery. Pencils and sketchbooks/paper are the only artmaking materials allowed in the galleries. The museum has golf pencils with erasers and clipboards for participants to use...
Write at the Stanley promotional image

Write at the Stanley

Sunday, March 23, 2025 2:00pm to 4:15pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Write at the Stanley: A Generative Writing Workshop is back for the Spring Semester! Join us monthly to generate new creative writing inspired by works in the Stanley collection. Each session will be led by a different talented writer from our area, who will be offering a new prompt and a new approach to ekphrastic writing (writing inspired by visual art). Bring your own notebook and pencil or computer and leave with the beginning of a newly written piece. Co-sponsored by Iowa City Poetry...
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Art & Write Night promotional image

Art & Write Night

Friday, April 4, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...
Piano Sundays at the Old Capitol: Rene Lecuona and Studio promotional image

Piano Sundays at the Old Capitol: Rene Lecuona and Studio

Sunday, April 6, 2025 1:30pm
Old Capitol Museum
Piano Sundays at the Old Capitol Piano Sundays returns for the 2024-25 season! The University of Iowa School of Music, in partnership with the Old Capitol Museum and West Music, is proud to host this annual tradition. Performances will be held in the beautiful Old Capitol Museum Senate Chamber this year, performed on their historic, rebuilt Steinway grand piano “Rose.” This is an incredible opportunity for the community to see and hear the university’s talented piano students and faculty in a...
Read on the Rug promotional image

Read on the Rug

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 10:30am to 11:00am
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
A program designed with our youngest museum lovers in mind. Read on the Rug builds community for families and inspires a sense of wonder, curiosity, and respect for our natural and cultural worlds with stories, sing-alongs, and more.
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Book Matters Faculty Author Celebration promotional image

Book Matters Faculty Author Celebration

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 4:30pm to 6:00pm
Old Capitol Museum
Join the Office of the Vice President for Research and the Office of the Provost as we celebrate faculty who have published books since spring 2023. University leadership will make remarks at 5 p.m., followed by short readings by two early-career scholars who have recently authored books: Sarah E. Bond, associate professor in the Department of History, and the author of Strike: Labor, Unions, and Resistance in the Roman Empire (Yale University Press, 2025) Jill Wieber Lens, Dorothy M. Willie...
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Drawing Salon with Robert Caputo promotional image

Drawing Salon with Robert Caputo

Sunday, April 20, 2025 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Stanley Museum of Art
The Drawing Salon focuses on drawing artworks from the museum's collection. Each session will focus on a different artwork. The sessions will begin with an introduction and discussion of the selected work. Participants will be encouraged to pursue their own visions and to take inspiration from the artworks in the gallery. Pencils and sketchbooks/paper are the only artmaking materials allowed in the galleries. The museum has golf pencils with erasers and clipboards for participants to use...
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Write at the Stanley promotional image

Write at the Stanley

Sunday, April 27, 2025 2:00pm to 4:15pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Write at the Stanley: A Generative Writing Workshop is back for the Spring Semester! Join us monthly to generate new creative writing inspired by works in the Stanley collection. Each session will be led by a different talented writer from our area, who will be offering a new prompt and a new approach to ekphrastic writing (writing inspired by visual art). Bring your own notebook and pencil or computer and leave with the beginning of a newly written piece. Co-sponsored by Iowa City Poetry...
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Art & Write Night promotional image

Art & Write Night

Friday, May 2, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Study at the Stanley promotional image

Study at the Stanley

Tuesday, May 13 10:00am to Thursday, May 15, 2025 4:00pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Make the Stanley your study spot for finals week. We'll have free coffee, lemonade, punch, and snacks available all day Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (10 a.m.–4 p.m.). Stop by for a few hours to study for your exams: grab a snack, replenish your study supplies (we'll have post-its, highlighters, and more) and take a quick break — either by exploring the galleries or playing with a fidget toy.
Study at the Stanley promotional image

Study at the Stanley

Wednesday, May 14 10:00am to Friday, May 16, 2025 4:00pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Make the Stanley your study spot for finals week. We'll have free coffee, lemonade, punch, and snacks available all day Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (10 a.m.–4 p.m.). Stop by for a few hours to study for your exams: grab a snack, replenish your study supplies (we'll have post-its, highlighters, and more) and take a quick break — either by exploring the galleries or playing with a fidget toy.
Read on the Rug promotional image

Read on the Rug

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 10:30am to 11:00am
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
A program designed with our youngest museum lovers in mind. Read on the Rug builds community for families and inspires a sense of wonder, curiosity, and respect for our natural and cultural worlds with stories, sing-alongs, and more.
Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History promotional image

Study Hall @ the Museum of Natural History

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 12:00pm
Macbride Hall
The Museum of Natural History welcomes students each week for a study session in our galleries. We'll provide snacks, cushions, and ambiance. You bring your planners, textbooks, or assignments. Together, we'll stay ahead of our goals this semester.
Study at the Stanley promotional image

Study at the Stanley

Thursday, May 15 10:00am to Saturday, May 17, 2025 4:00pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Make the Stanley your study spot for finals week. We'll have free coffee, lemonade, punch, and snacks available all day Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (10 a.m.–4 p.m.). Stop by for a few hours to study for your exams: grab a snack, replenish your study supplies (we'll have post-its, highlighters, and more) and take a quick break — either by exploring the galleries or playing with a fidget toy.
Drawing Salon with Robert Caputo promotional image

Drawing Salon with Robert Caputo

Sunday, May 18, 2025 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Stanley Museum of Art
The Drawing Salon focuses on drawing artworks from the museum's collection. Each session will focus on a different artwork. The sessions will begin with an introduction and discussion of the selected work. Participants will be encouraged to pursue their own visions and to take inspiration from the artworks in the gallery. Pencils and sketchbooks/paper are the only artmaking materials allowed in the galleries. The museum has golf pencils with erasers and clipboards for participants to use...
Write at the Stanley promotional image

Write at the Stanley

Sunday, May 25, 2025 2:00pm to 4:15pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Write at the Stanley: A Generative Writing Workshop is back for the Spring Semester! Join us monthly to generate new creative writing inspired by works in the Stanley collection. Each session will be led by a different talented writer from our area, who will be offering a new prompt and a new approach to ekphrastic writing (writing inspired by visual art). Bring your own notebook and pencil or computer and leave with the beginning of a newly written piece. Co-sponsored by Iowa City Poetry...
Art & Write Night promotional image

Art & Write Night

Friday, June 6, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...
Read on the Rug promotional image

Read on the Rug

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 10:30am to 11:00am
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
A program designed with our youngest museum lovers in mind. Read on the Rug builds community for families and inspires a sense of wonder, curiosity, and respect for our natural and cultural worlds with stories, sing-alongs, and more.
Read on the Rug promotional image

Read on the Rug

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 10:30am to 11:00am
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
A program designed with our youngest museum lovers in mind. Read on the Rug builds community for families and inspires a sense of wonder, curiosity, and respect for our natural and cultural worlds with stories, sing-alongs, and more.
5th Annual BioBlitz at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory promotional image

5th Annual BioBlitz at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory

Saturday, July 12, 2025 9:00am to 11:00am
Ashton Cross Country Course
Join researchers in collecting, observing, and recording biodiversity at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory in our 5th Annual BioBlitz. Your findings will inform a major research project and will contribute to the fifth data point in a multi-year documentation of how diversity changes at this site over time. Collections will be housed with the UI Museum of Natural History. Registration is required + free. Sign up link is here: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3RaoXgJhPGcbDTw
Art & Write Night promotional image

Art & Write Night

Friday, August 1, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...
Art & Write Night promotional image

Art & Write Night

Friday, September 5, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...
Art & Write Night promotional image

Art & Write Night

Friday, October 3, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...
Art & Write Night promotional image

Art & Write Night

Friday, November 7, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...
Art & Write Night promotional image

Art & Write Night

Friday, December 5, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...