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Ankeny Art Center to Build New Facility by 2027

The organization plans to double its current space to accommodate rising demand for its arts programming.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Philanthropy

Screen-print poster illustration of a geometric building design, evoking the expansion and development of the Ankeny Art Center.
The Ankeny Art Center has launched a $4.5 million capital campaign to construct a new 10,000-square-foot facility by 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Ankeny Art Center will construct a new 10,000-square-foot facility at 315 Cherry St. as part of a $4.5 million capital campaign. The nonprofit expects to break ground on the project in 2027.

Why it matters

The expansion addresses significant capacity constraints, as 90% of the center's classes are currently full. The project aims to provide much-needed room for additional classrooms, studios, and gallery space to serve the growing number of local program participants.

The new facility will double the size of the current 5,000-square-foot building. Over the past three years, the center has hosted more than 35,000 participants.

The players

Ankeny Art Center

A local nonprofit organization that provides arts education and gallery programming to the community.

Polk County

A regional government body that supports local infrastructure and community development initiatives through grant programs.

City of Ankeny

The local municipal government responsible for urban planning and funding public services within the city.

The details

Founded 45 years ago, the organization launched its capital campaign after a 2025 feasibility study confirmed the need for more space. To date, funding includes a $500,000 grant from Polk County and a $200,000 contribution from the city of Ankeny.

Timeline

  1. The organization was established 45 years ago.

  2. A feasibility study for the project was conducted in 2025.

  3. The capital campaign officially kicked off on October 22, 2026.

  4. The nonprofit plans to break ground on the new facility in 2027.

  5. The target date to reach the $4.5 million fundraising goal is summer 2027.

Market Landscape

The push for expanded cultural space follows the guidelines established by the 2025 Ankeny Art Center feasibility study. This capital project positions the center to modernize its operations and maintain its role as a primary provider of local arts programming.

Residents can anticipate expanded class availability and new gallery options once the larger facility is complete. The city also plans to sell the current Ordnance Road property, which may create future development opportunities for the neighborhood.

The takeaway

The move represents a significant investment in local infrastructure to meet the high demand for arts education in the community. Supporters can track the progress of the campaign as the organization approaches its 2027 goal.

What happens next

The organization expects to break ground on the 315 Cherry St. facility in 2027 and aims to complete its $4.5 million fundraising campaign by the summer of that same year.

Further reading

Learn more about local non-profit initiatives on the Ankeny Philanthropy page.

More information

For more information on the project and donation opportunities, visit the Ankeny Art Center website.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Business Record.

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