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View from underneath a large chandelier like light installation with rods of lights descending from the ceiling in a radiating circular pattern getting more spaced out further away from the center.

Visit the Center

The Waterloo Center for the Arts stimulates inquiry, provokes dialogue and connects people through the arts.

Hours

Gallery

Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Sunday | 1:00 – 5:00PM

Veterans Day 11/11: Closed 
Thanksgiving 11/27: Closed  
Christmas Eve 12/24: Closed 
Christmas Day 12/25: Closed 
New Year's Day 01/01: Closed 

Admission for all WCA galleries is free

An image of a medium-sized Mexican folk art statue of a jaguar that is covered with very intricate traditional patterns and design work. The shapes and patterns are created in mostly white and black on the belly of the jaguar. The top side of the jaguar has patterns in teal and a light brown.
Exterior wall of Phelps Youth Pavilion with two large blue vents coming from bottom edge of photo and Phelps Youth Pavilion logo, two blue paint brushes crossed to make a person and Phelps is orange and Youth Pavilion is green.

Phelps Youth Pavilion

Hours
Wednesday – Saturday | 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Sunday | 1:00 – 5:00PM

Veterans Day 11/11: Closed  
Thanksgiving 11/27:
Closed 
Christmas Eve 12/24: Closed 
Christmas Day 12/25: Closed 
New Year's Day 01/01: Closed 

Daily admission $5 per person$2 with the presentation of a valid EBT card for up to 4 people
Free for members and children under the age of 1

The Phelps Youth Pavilion is a split-level children’s museum filled with creative, hands-on experiences, from simple drawing and painting projects always available in our Arts Workshop to magical high-tech adventures and a climbable Playscape for young ones to traverse.

Find Us

The Waterloo Center for the Arts is located on the banks of the scenic Cedar River in downtown Waterloo. Visitors can enjoy the changing exhibitions of art throughout the Center in addition to indoor and outdoor activity spaces (including rooftop decks, RiverLoop Amphitheatre, Expo Plaza, Arts Mall & Mark’s Park) overlooking the river.

Tours

 The Waterloo Center for the Arts welcomes groups of all sizes to experience its traditional and interactive galleries. The Center is a great place for groups to learn, play, imagine, and explore.

Guided Tours
  • Phelps Youth Pavilion 

    • The Pavilion is a children’s museum with over 40 hands-on exhibits ranging from simple drawing and painting to magical high-tech adventures. But it’s not just for kids, the young-at-heart can play too! 
       

  • Haitian | Caribbean Art 

    • The Center holds the largest public collection of Haitian artwork in the world, including colorful paintings, powerful metal sculptures, and glittering beaded and sequined banners. 
       

  • Midwest Art 

    • The heritage and diversity of Midwestern art is reflected in the work of American Regionalist masters Grant Wood, Marvin Cone, and Thomas Hart Benton. Significant regional African American Artists are also represented. 
       

  • Mexican Folk Art 

    • The Center holds a significant collection of Mexican Folk Art that includes ceramics, masks, textiles, traditional costumes, and an amazing selection of whimsical Oaxacan carved animal sculptures.

Crowd of people, ranging in age and backgrounds, standing around Haitian Art Gallery listening and observing intently as tour guide talks about the art.
Printmaking example of a carved stamp resembling a patterned vase. Stamp, covered in black ink, is shown next to print on a pink table.
Creating Art While Touring 

Complement your tour by adding a hands-on art activity. Instructors will give your group just enough creative guidance so each person can realize their own masterpiece. Choose from monoprints, stained glass, folk toys, mixed media, digital arts, ceramics, mosaics, drawings, or jewelry making. (Additional charge based on craft selection) 

Group Tour Pricing 

Groups of 12 or more Guided Tours $3/person 
Planning Your Tour:

  • Tours are available 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday 

  • Book your tour a minimum of 2 weeks in advance 

  • Group sizes can range from 12 to 150 

  • Groups with children are asked to bring 1 adult per 6 children 

  • Meeting rooms are also available 

  • Rates subject to change without notice 

  • Call to book your tour today | (319) 291.4490
     

3 young girls sitting on stools at a work bench using multiple colors and paint brushes to glaze their own ceramic pieces.

Waterloo Center for the Arts

225 Commercial Street | Waterloo, IA 50701-1313

(319) 291-4490

Connect with us

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The Waterloo Center for the Arts stimulates inquiry, provokes dialogue & connects people through the arts

©2025 by Waterloo Center for the Arts

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