UPCOMING EVENTS
ANNUAL GRINNELL ELEMENTARY & CENTRAL IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ART SHOW
April 30 – May 23, 2026
Stewart Gallery in the Grinnell Arts Center
926 Broad Street
Grinnell, Iowa
Celebrate Our Youngest Artists!
Join us for the annual showcase of incredible talent from the Grinnell-Newburg Elementary and Central Iowa Christian schools. Come experience a gallery transformed by the imagination and vibrant spirit of our area’s youth!
Opening Reception:
Thursday, April 30 | 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Enjoy light refreshments, say hello to Ms. Johnson, and share the "thrill of the gallery" as students see their masterpieces displayed in Stewart Gallery.
Gallery Hours:
Tues – Fri: 11 AM – 5 PM
Sat: 10 AM – 12 PM
Admission is free and open to all!
FLOWERS FOR MY FATHER
BY LYNN BODENSTEINER
May 25 - June 6, 2026
Stewart Gallery in the Grinnell Arts Center
926 Broad Street
Grinnell, Iowa
Moments of Grief, Memory and Love
Join us for this “pop-up” exhibit of paintings by Lynn Bodensteiner. After her father, longtime Grinnell Newburg School District superintendent Clem Bodensteiner, passed away in May 2025, she was surrounded by flowers and plants sent by friends—expressions of empathy and love. So she painted. These pieces offer a reflection on remembrance—how love persists, transforms, and finds new expression.
Proceeds from artwork sales to benefit P.O.W.E.R. KIDS, a Grinnell-based charitable organization reflecting Mr. Bodensteiner’s lifelong commitment to children’s education.
Opening Reception:
Friday, May 29 | 5:00-7:00 pm
Meet Lynn and enjoy refreshments as you walk among the flowers.
Gallery Hours:
Tues – Fri: 11 AM – 5 PM
Sat: 10 AM – 12 PM
Admission is free and open to all.
MUSIC IN THE PARK 2026
May 28-July 30, 2026
Thursdays, 7:00 PM
Central Park Stage
Grinnell, Iowa
The Grinnell Area Arts Council announces the return of its favorite summer tradition, Music in the Park!
This year’s series offers a diverse musical landscape, kicking off with a special family-oriented performance by five-time GRAMMY nominee Justin Roberts & The Not-Ready-for-Naptime Players, presented by McCue & Associates-American Family Insurance.
Click the button below to get the details on all of the bands.
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD
Th/Fr/Sat, June 18-20: 7:00 PM
Sun, June 21: 2:00 PM
Th/Fr/Sat, June 25-27: 7:00 PM
Sun, June 28: 2:00 PM
Loft Theatre in the Grinnell Arts Center
926 Broad Street
Grinnell, Iowa
The Grinnell School of Music and Grinnell Community Theatre present A Year with Frog and Toad, a musical based on Arnold Lobel's well-loved books and featuring a hummable score by Robert and Willie Reale. This whimsical show follows two great friends – the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad – through four fun-filled seasons.
The cast includes Andrew Allen, Zach Bey, Tommy Hexter, Maggie Kaup, Frances Pedersen, Nora Pedersen, Paul Reif, Alexis Steele and Irish Valentine.
Tickets are general admission.
$30/adults
$15/students
Ages 3 and under may sit on an adult’s lap.
Tickets on sale Tuesday, May 19, in person at the Grinnell Arts Center or online on our Tickets page!
A Year with Frog and Toad is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Visit the Classes & Workshops page for upcoming classes!
The Grinnell Area Arts Council reserves the right to make changes or cancellations as needed.
From gallery openings to theatre productions, maker workshops and beyond, we host a variety of events at the Grinnell Arts Center, the Stew Makerspace, and other venues in town.