Updated: 2/17/2022 
Blanden Art Museum
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Description

The neoclassical building, which is on the national Register of Historic Places, is located in the interesting Oak Hill District of Fort Dodge. Along with with beauty and historical significance of the museum, the Blanden maintains a high standard of exhibition quality and dynamic spirit of community outreach in the visual arts. The museum is dedicated to providing learning opportunities to engage the community and foster creativity.

Mission

The mission of the Blanden Art Museum and the Blanden Charitable Foundation is to strive to inspire and nurture education in and appreciation of the visual arts through the permanent collection, innovation exhibitions and programming.

History

In 1930, the Fort Dodge Federation of the Arts represented by Mr. and Mrs. O.M. Oleson traveled to San Diego with the intent of talking to Charles Blanden about their plans for an art museum. Blanden was a former former City of Fort Dodge Mayor in the late 1880's, who had a successful business career and retired to San Diego, with his wife, Elizabeth, a former Fort Dodge School teacher. Elizabeth died in 1929.

Charles had two viable choices: building an art museum in San Diego dedicated to his wife's memory or in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He chose Fort Dodge, giving $35,000 to build the museum in a classic architectural style. The Blanden was designed by architect E.O. Damon Jr. of Fort Dodge after the neo-classical design of the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio. Charles Blanden, who died in 1933, also bequeathed his collection of art to the museum.

The museum site land was donated by Mrs. Ringland the heir of Woolsey Wells, a pioneer settler of Fort Dodge, and maternal grandmother of Ann Smeltzer. The Blanden is located in the hart of the Oak Hill Historic District near the center of Fort Dodge. The Blanden Memorial Art Museum opened its doors on June 5th, 1932 as Iowa's first municipal art facility.

Artifact Collections

The Blanden's permanent collection is recognized for its superb holdings of modern American and European paintings, African Sculptures, and the 16th - 20th century American, European, and Japanese prints. Due limited museum space, permanent collection pieces are rotated every few months for public viewing.

Programs

Art classes for children and adult workshops are taught by the museum educator or a guest instructor. Credit option may apply on adult workshops depending on the instructor and class. Visiting opening receptions for visiting artist exhibits,and lectures occur throughout the year. Docent and volunteer programs are available. Educator guides and other information on current exhibits are provided. Fees and other cost involving borrowing educational materials are handled on a case by case basis depending on the request.

Facilities

Galleries include the Main foyer, East Gallery, West Gallery and a Second floor gallery which is accessible by stairs or elevator.

Library

Access: Staff Only

Appointment required: True

Services

Gift shop items such as exhibition catalogs may be purchase by mail with payment method of check or money order. For list of current catalogs visit the Blanden website.

Did you know?

•90% of our One~of~A~Kind gift shop sales go to the artist and 10% to the museum’s Art Education Fund.

•Museum members receive a discount on many gift shop purchases.

Gift Shop
Group Tours
DISCLAIMER
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

April 27 - April 29, 2025

Oregon Museum Association 2025 Conference

TBA

Independence, Oregon

Beginning in 2025, the OMA annual conference will be held in Spring rather than Fall

The conference this year is all about trying new things. We are hoping to organize the conference into the following four tracks: Collections Care, Leadership, Emergency Preparedness, and Tourism

Check our website for more details in early 2025

The OMA newsletter is emailed every month with updates on OMA events, museum news, other events, trainings, jobs, grants and more for the museum community in Oregon.

For more information, please email connect@oregonmuseums.org.

October 1 - October 4, 2025

Western Museums Association’s (WMA) 2025 Annual Meeting

TBA

Reno, Nevada

Save the Date for WMA 202

As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, join us to build relationships and soar higher than ever before. With the theme of ELEVATE, WMA 2025 will explore ways to lift up the experiences of cultural professionals and the communities they serve.

In Reno, Nevada, 4,400 feet above sea level, we will forward the progress of museums by looking to the future.

May 6 - May 9, 2025

2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) ANNUAL MEETING & MUSEUMEXPO

Los Angeles Convention Center

Los Angeles, California

AAM 2025 will focus on the theme, Museums & Trust.

Museums have long inspired high levels of public trust, surpassing news outlets, government organizations, researchers and scientists, corporations, and social media platforms. This consistent finding underscores our institutions’ unique position in society as stewards of knowledge, culture, science, and history—areas where credibility and reliability are paramount

In an era marked by mistrust and misinformation, museums have a rare ability to counterbalance the proliferation of false narratives and polarized perspectives. Using our trusted position, we can cultivate a more healthy, empathetic, and informed society.

But to do so, we must maintain our credibility proactively, embracing thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative practices that will defend against influences like bias, resource challenges, abuse of power, and social injustice

An Incredible MuseumExpo

AAM is again partnering this year with the Museum Store Association to host an incredible combined expo hall. Find the most innovative services, products, and solutions in the museum field. With 350 exhibitors, you are bound to find the right partner for your museum’s current challenges and opportunities.

May 5 - May 9, 2025

Museum Store Association FORWARD 2025 in LA

The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California

Join MSA in LA

We’re excited about our next MSA FORWARD Conference & Expo in “The City of Angels” – Los Angeles, California in conjunction with the American Alliance of Museums

Join the Museum Store Association (MSA) and hundreds of nonprofit retail professionals for the 70th Annual MSA FORWARD Retail Conference & Expo, taking place May 5-9, 2025 at The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Once again, MSA FORWARD will be held in conjunction with the 2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Expo

Learn best practices and new ideas for store merchandising, operations, marketing, and sale

Participate in dedicated networking events and create connections that will inspire new ideas

Meet with over 200 MSA vendors about your product needs

Hear from knowledgeable industry experts during session breakouts and keynote presentations

Network with AAM attendees and exhibitor

September 10 - September 13, 2025

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

TBD

Cincinnati, Ohio

The 2025 AASLH Annual Conference, in partnership with Ohio Local History Alliance, will take place as the history field makes the final preparations to kickoff off the 250th commemoration of the founding of the United States.

The 2025 conference theme, inspired by AASLH’s Making History at 250: The Field Guide for Semiquincentennial, is an opportunity to broadly explore one of the guide’s themes, The American Experiment. For many in the American colonies in 1776, independence from Britain represented a “leap into the dark” into an unknown future

We are excited for you to join us in Cincinnati as we encourage discussion about our democracy and civic institutions and how they can help strengthen understanding, inspire action, and reveal ways that all of us can participate in and shape the ongoing American experiment.

For more information, please call 615-320-3203 or email info@aaslh.org.

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