Passport to Culture

Passport to Culture is sponsored by Bravo Greater Des Moines. Provides funding for students across Central Iowa to experience culturally enriching educational opportunities in and out of the classroom.

Passport to Culture - Bravo Greater Des Moines Passport to Culture provides funding so that students across Central Iowa can experience culturally enriching educational opportunities in and out of the classroom. Passport to Culture (PTC) supports arts and cultural programs that align with core curriculum objectives provided by approved Bravo Cultural Partners (listed below).

Funding may be used to cover costs like admission fees and transportation, as well as costs associated with bringing experiences into the classroom or facility.

Passport to Culture funding is offered to: Public and private schools located in one of Bravo’s 17 communities Bravo’s government partners A One-Time Campaign for Youth Arts Access In 2024, Bravo embarked on its first capital campaign, a milestone in the organization’s 20-year history.

This campaign raised vital funds to support Passport to Culture in perpetuity, ensuring that arts and culture education is accessible to all students in Greater Des Moines. More than 200 donors stepped up to support so that more students can experience the life-changing magic of the arts.

Students who take four years of arts and music classes average almost 100 points better on their SAT scores than students with only a half-year or less. Low-income students who participate in the arts, both in school and after school, have a dropout rate of just 4% , five times lower than their peers.

Low-income students who are highly engaged in the arts are more than twice as likely to graduate college than their peers with no arts education. After-school arts programs save cities money. For every $1 spent on after-school programs, $9 is saved by reducing welfare and crime costs, improving academic performance and increasing kids’ earning potential.

More data on the impacts of arts and cultural experiences for youth can be found in the Arts and Social Impact Explorer by Americans for the Arts. CURRENT PARTICIPANTS: Ready to submit your PTC Experience Report?

Curriculum-Approved Programming and Experiences Through Passport to Culture, Bravo cultural partners provide a wide variety of experiences that connect to core curriculum, enhancing and expanding what students are learning in the classroom. Cultural partners that participate in PTC offer experiences appropriate for grades K-8.

Search below for participating cultural partners and sort by grade and type of experience, or click here for a table view. All Grades K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 All Types At School Field Trip: Tour Field Trip: Performance 1520 Southwest Ordnance Road | Ankeny, Iowa 50023 Claire Hays | claire@ankenyartcenter. com | 515-965-0940 Anyone has the potential to become an artist when given the resources and motivation!

At the Ankeny Art Center, classes are geared toward anyone who has an interest in learning more about art. Experienced and certified teachers lead classes in various mediums ranging from basic drawing to ceramics. ​ Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Avg.

per student rate: $3-$7 Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity Length: 1 hour, 1-2 hours Avg. per student rate: $0-$3 ASAP After School Arts Program ASAP After School Arts Program Michelle Bolton King | michelle@asap-dsm. org | 515-770-3380 ASAP offers engaging hands-on arts programs for youth, customized to each program location and group’s needs.

An ASAP Teaching Artist brings all materials needed for the program to the location where kids are. Classes in all arts disciplines are available: 2D and 3D visual art, dance/movement, music, drama, literary arts, culinary arts, and more. Have an idea?

Let’s talk! Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Length: 1 hour, 1-2 hours Avg. per student rate: Flat fee, $120 The Nutcracker School Suite invites children of all ages to experience classical ballet and its iconic characters during this 80-minute show.

Sensory-inclusive activies and performances are also available during Nutcracker season. Ballet Des Moines also visits schools and libraries to work with young learners to workshop and play and discover the world of ballet. Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Home resources, Curriculum Guide Length: 1 hour, 1-2 hours Avg.

per student rate: $0-$3 Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Home resources, Curriculum Guide Avg. per student rate: Flat fee, 7401 Southwest 9th Street | Des Moines, Iowa 50315 Madison Anderson | maanderson@blankparkzoo. org | 515-974-2620 Blank Park Zoo provides hands-on STEM learning focused on learning through play and child led exploration.

Our immersive educational opportunities inspire children to develop a connection to and appreciation for the natural world. We offer a wide variety of onsite offerings as well as a traveling education program reaching all corners of the state. Opportunities include animal experiences, career panels, artifacts and tactile exploration.

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Home resources, Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg. per student rate: $3-$7 Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Curriculum Guide Avg. per student rate: $3-$7 Ajia Whipp | ajia@civicmusic.

org | 515-280-4020 Civic Music Association presents world-renowned artists delivering free educational events to schools. The many offerings include performances, clinics, hands-on activities, master classes, and interactive discussions. These events are specifically designed for children and students in Des Moines area schools.

The goal is to support, supplement, and enhance school-based arts instruction in concert with the Iowa arts core curriculum. Programming often focuses on performances and in-depth conversations relating to music, the arts, access, inclusivity, diversity, and equity. CMA also brings the music and interactive clinics of the Belin String Quartet to schools.

Priority is given to historically underserved schools and communities. Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg. per student rate: $0-$3 Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg.

per student rate: $0-$3 Karen Allen | explore@CultureALL. org | (515) 273-8569 Students make sense of the world around them by experiencing other cultures and traditions in interactive workshops led by CultureALL Ambassadors. These experiences open students to new ideas and opportunities that they otherwise couldn’t imagine would be possible.

Educators bring your curriculum to life by selecting from 100+ presenters in our network, featuring 50+ countries and cultures. Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Avg. per student rate: $3-$7 4700 Grand Avenue | Des Moines, Iowa 50312 The Des Moines Art Center’s school field trips, educational programs, and resources promote critical thinking, compassion, connection, and creativity by utilizing artwork in the collection and exhibitions.

Guided tours and field trips cultivate open dialogue and active participation, ensuring students engage with art in ways that spark curiosity and critical thinking. Bring the galleries into your classroom with lesson plans and virtual tours to ignite imagination.

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Des Moines Art Center Lesson Plans - These activities are open ended, adaptable, and each designed around one work of art with an accompanying theme. Discover how, through art, students find space to express themselves and see the world in new and meaningful ways. Avg.

per student rate: $0-$3 Des Moines Children's Museum Des Moines Children's Museum 1551 Valley West Drive | West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 Ashlen Sheaffer | events@dsmchildrensmuseum. com | 515-473-0374 Play is how kids learn at a young age and create the pathways for all future learning. This imaginative open-ended space allows kids to pretend, build, and work together all while learning.

Each exhibit has aligned early education standards posted, ways to deepen the play, and suggested extension activities for outside the museum to continue to the fun and learning. Kids can try out different careers, learn how to engineer water, or even sit down to read a book. There is something for every kid since all kids deserve play.

Support materials: Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg. per student rate: $3-$7 Des Moines Community Playhouse Des Moines Community Playhouse 831 42nd Street | Des Moines, Iowa 50312 Robin Spahr | rspahr@dmplayhouse.

com | 515-974-5365 We offer a variety of student experiences, including the newly launched Treasure Trunk in a Box for after-school programs, school matineee performances of all of our Family Series shows, and classes and camps for children and youth throughout the school year and during school breaks. Avg. per student rate: $7-10 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg.

per student rate: $0-$3 Des Moines Film / Varsity Cinema Des Moines Film / Varsity Cinema Jessie Hagen Hewins | jhewins@desmoinesfilm. org | 515-259-0167 Experience the magic of movies with your students at the historic Varsity Cinema! Des Moines Film aims to introduce students to the art of film, while engaging with the powerful themes presented on screen.

Our school screening program is designed for grades 6-12 and can accommodate groups up to 150 students. The Varsity’s curated film library covers a wide variety of subject areas from the Classics to World Languages to Social Studies – sometimes all in one!

In addition to screening the film, each session will include a context-building introduction, a series of post-film critical thinking and discussion activities, and a supplemental activities guide for educators to use in the classroom. Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg. per student rate: $3-$7 Chari Kruse | operaiowa@dmmo.

org | 515-961-6221 Des Moines Metro Opera’s OPERA Iowa program brings the power of professional opera directly into schools and communities, offering students deeply engaging, curriculum-linked experiences.

Our artists deliver vibrant performances—like The Billy Goats Gruff (a fun, anti-bullying opera set to music by Mozart, Rossini, and Donizetti) and family-friendly shows like Cinderella—that weave beloved stories with high-quality musical artistry.

Each school visit includes interactive workshops or masterclasses where students can sing, receive expert feedback, and explore vocal technique, dramatic interpretation, and stagecraft up close. Supported by rich study guides and thoughtful lesson materials, these sessions reinforce learning and spark curiosity.

Over its decades-long history, OPERA Iowa has reached more than one million young people, making high-caliber opera both accessible and inspiring. Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg.

per student rate: Flat fee, $595 for half-day residency Des Moines Performing Arts Des Moines Performing Arts 221 Walnut Street | Des Moines, Iowa 50309 Karoline Myers | karolinem@dmpa. org | 515-246-2356 Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) invites students of all ages to experience the magic and impact of live performance.

The Applause Series brings world-class performing artists and diverse art forms to DMPA venues for one-hour matinee performances for students pre-K through high school. In addition, hands-on workshops, master classes, and artist residencies connect students directly with professional performers, offering behind-the-scenes insights and skill-building opportunities.

Educators gain access to free curriculum guides and resources that integrate the arts into classroom learning. Whether it’s a first theater experience or a chance to deepen existing skills, DMPA’s education programs inspire creativity, spark curiosity, and foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Curriculum Guide Avg.

per student rate: $0-$3 Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg. per student rate: $0-$3 Des Moines Symphony and Academy Des Moines Symphony and Academy Joshua Barlage | joshua@dmsymphony. org | 515-280-3332 Des Moines Symphony Youth Concerts are held over 2 days in March and aimed for 4th and 5th grade students to learn about the orchestra and classical music.

The Fred & Charlotte Hubbell Visiting Artist in Residence program sends guest artists to area schools for in-depth live music experiences. Beginning Strings instructors visit schools and libraries providing an ‘instrument petting zoo’ for children to get a hand-on experience with string instruments. Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg.

per student rate: $0-$3 Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Home resources Avg. per student rate: $0-$3 6301 University Avenue | Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324 Taylor Raibikis | PD@girlsrockdsm. org | 515-218-6551 We offer both workshops and interactive youth experiences.

Our workshops teach content on women and LGBTQ folks in the music industry, how to become a musician, and social justice in music. One of our popular workshops is GR! Live, where we bring in a variety of musicians to perform their music and present on famous women and LGBTQ musicians.

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg. per student rate: Flat fee, $500 Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Drive | Des Moines, Iowa 50309 Jessica Hebert | jhebert@dmbotanicalgarden.

com | 515-402-4287 The Botanical Garden engages students in fun, hands-on learning while they explore plants and grow their science skills. We offer interdisciplinary tours and programs aligned with the Iowa Core, Next Generation Science Standards and local curricula. Field trip programs range from Pollinator Palooza (1st-3rd) to Rainforest Trek which is ideal for groups of more than 50.

The new outdoor Nature Play area is also a great addition to the experience for younger groups. The Botanical Garden also offers the Plant Pet Program for in-classroom lessons that are “ready to go” and a classroom plant pet that is “ready to grow. ” Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Length: 1-2 hours, 2-3 hours Avg.

per student rate: $3-$7 Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments, Teacher Resources Avg. per student rate: Flat fee, 100 Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation Emily Roeder | Roeder@hoytsherman.

org | 515-452-0610 Hoyt Sherman Place gives students the chance to explore a historic mansion, art gallery, and theater through interactive activities rooted in history and art. Guided scavenger hunts keep students engaged as they learn stories of the people who shaped Des Moines since 1848. Inside the mansion, they discover the legacy of Major Hoyt Sherman and his family’s impact during the 1800s.

In the gallery, they explore the historical significance of the Des Moines Women’s Club and their art collection. Theater tours take them behind the scenes, imagining the many performers who once graced the stage. Reflection activities help students connect these experiences to their own lives, leaving them with a deeper appreciation for Des Moines’ culture and history.

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Home resources, Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Length: 1 hour, 1-2 hours, 2-3 hours, 3+ hours Avg. per student rate: $0-$3 Iowa Architectural Foundation Iowa Architectural Foundation 400 Locust Street | Des Moines, Iowa 50309 Laura Porter | director@iowaarchfoundation.

org | (515) 244-1888 The Iowa Architectural Foundation offers hands-on programs that introduce students to architecture, design thinking, and the built environment. Our Architecture in the Schools initiative brings volunteer architects into K–6 classrooms for interactive lessons that integrate art, design, and architectural history.

Our Architective scavenger hunts engage 3rd–5th graders in downtown Des Moines, teaching visual literacy and architectural vocabulary as students identify features like columns, arches, and building styles. These outdoor learning experiences spark curiosity about the world around them. For middle schoolers, our weeklong Architecture Summer Camp offers hands-on projects, design challenges, and mentoring from professionals.

Across all programs, students gain confidence in their ideas and a deeper understanding of how architecture shapes communities. Educators and community leaders consistently praise these programs for their creativity, interdisciplinary value, and the lasting excitement they generate among students. Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg.

per student rate: $0-$3 Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg.

per student rate: $0-$3 Iowa Gold Star Military Museum Iowa Gold Star Military Museum 7105 Northwest 70th Avenue | Johnston, Iowa 50131 We offer hands-on experience for student groups where they are able to handle some of our artifacts under the supervision of the historian/curator and volunteers, like, trying on a World War II paratrooper’s backpack!

We offer age-appropriate scavenger hunts where students try to identify all the items on their list, followed by a group discussion with museum staff. Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Avg. per student rate: $0-$3 Dwana Bradley | iowajuneteenth@gmail.

com | 515-829-0927 Iowa Juneteenth can adapt presentations based on age, focusing on the history and education of Juneteenth celebrations. We provide crafts for students to create and take along with them to create community in their classroom and beyond. Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Home resources, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg.

per student rate: Flat fee, 300 Johnston Historical Society Johnston Historical Society 6161 Northglenn Drive | Johnston, Iowa 50131 John Brown | ai882@aol. com | 515-204-7628 Tours of the museum next to the Johnston Library, guest speakers at your location on any local history topic and volunteer opportunities for high school students.

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg. per student rate: $0-$3 11121 Hickman Road | Urbandale, Iowa 50322 Christa Kirsch-Paulson | cpaulson@lhf.

org | (515) 278-5286 Living History Farms offers Field Trips, Exploration Programs, Outreach Programs, homeschool programming, Day Camps, Historic Skills classes, and Drake Head Start events for students across the state. These programs are all curriculum-connected and based on the State Board of Education’s social studies standards. Field trips for schools connect youth of all ages to Midwestern rural life experience.

Offered in May, September, and October during our regular season. Exploration Programs are in-depth experiences, designed to give students a deeper understanding of the history of farming and rural life in Iowa. These programs are offered November – April.

Outreach Programs involve a mixture of multimedia presentation, artifacts, and hands-on activities at your location and are available November – April. Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Home resources, Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg.

per student rate: $7-10 Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Home resources, Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Length: 1 hour, 1-2 hours, 2-3 hours Avg. per student rate: Flat fee, $150 900 Keosauqua Way | Des Moines, Iowa 50309 Molly Kresse | molly@mainframestudios.

org | 515-205-2933 Mainframe Studios offers engaging K-8 field trips that include a guided tour of our building and a hands-on art activity led by a professional artists. Mainframe is the largest nonprofit studio building in the nation where over 220 artists create each day. With over 30 art disciplines represented, students can learn about glassblowing, painting, toy design, illustration, printmaking and so much more.

At Mainframe, students can see that a career in the arts is possible. During a tour of the building, students can see hundreds of artworks on display, meet real artists, and find work that resonates with them. Most importantly, Mainframe has space to accommodate a full busload of students, and all will have the opportunity to create on-site.

Our art activities are led by trained teaching artists and are curriculum-aligned per grade level. Come learn and create with us! Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Avg.

per student rate: $3-$7 Salisbury House and Gardens Salisbury House and Gardens 4025 Tonawanda Drive | Des Moines, Iowa 50312 Taylor Northness | tnorthness@salisburyhouse. org | 515-274-1777 Ex 105 Educational tours operate similarly to guided tours but have the flexibility of being tailored to the needs of a specific group. We can tailor tours to a variety of special interests.

Topics may include architecture of the house, English design and construction, art history, house history, innovation, and industrialization. We can also provide specialized curriculum around Carl and/or Edith including their history and how each of them influenced the construction of the house and the Des Moines community. Avg.

per student rate: $7-10 401 West Martin Luther King Junior Parkway | Des Moines, Iowa 50309 Cara Koester | cara. koester@sciowa. org | 515-274-6868 ext 234 The Science Center of Iowa (SCI) offers dynamic, hands-on STEM experiences that inspire curiosity and support student learning, both in and out of the classroom.

Programs are aligned with Iowa Core and Next Generation Science Standards and designed to be inclusive, accessible, and engaging for all learners. School Visits – Interactive field trips featuring hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, and lab experiences. Science @ Your Site Outreach – High-energy science assemblies and classroom programs delivered directly to schools across Greater Des Moines—no transportation needed.

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Home resources, Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg.

per student rate: $7-10 Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Home resources, Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Length: 1 hour, 1-2 hours, 2-3 hours, 3+ hours State Historical Museum of Iowa State Historical Museum of Iowa 600 East Locust Street | Des Moines, Iowa 50319 Matthew Jayne | matthew. jayne@iowa.

gov | 515-666-9145 The State Historical Museum of Iowa offers a wide variety of free resources and experiences for K-8 educators and their students.

Those resources and experiences include free field trips to the museum, which are supported by a helpful Field Trip Guide providing an overview of the field trip experience, museum rules to share with students in advance, how to prepare for your arrival and a list of the Iowa Core Standards which are addressed in each exhibit area separated by grade level.

Exhibit Education Guides will also be distributed to groups upon arrival at the museum, which help students to learn beyond the exhibit labels and engage with each other through history. For those who are unable to travel to the museum, the museum also provides the Virtual Classroom Program which includes both pre-recorded and live options for participation with a focus on a number of different museum exhibits.

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Support materials: Pre- and/or post-visit activity, Home resources, Curriculum Guide, Iowa Academic Standard alignments Avg. per student rate: $0-$3 Urbandale Historical Society Urbandale Historical Society West Des Moines Historical Society West Des Moines Historical Society CURRENT PARTICIPANTS: Don’t forget to submit a report following each experience.