Visit the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art for Free This Summer

Looking for an easy indoor stop during an Iowa summer road trip?

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art is offering free admission for everyone from July 1 through August 31, 2026. The annual Free Summer Admission Program gives visitors access to the museum’s galleries and exhibitions without paying the usual admission fee.

Located in downtown Cedar Rapids, the museum is best known for having the world’s largest collection of works by Iowa artist Grant Wood. A selection of his artwork is always on display, although individual pieces may rotate from time to time.

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See Grant Wood’s artwork in his hometown

Grant Wood spent much of his life in Cedar Rapids, and the museum’s ongoing exhibition, Grant Wood: From Farm Boy to American Icon, explores his development as an artist and his connection to Iowa.

One important thing to know is that Wood’s famous American Gothic painting is part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection, so you will not see the original painting here. However, the Cedar Rapids museum holds a much broader collection of Wood’s paintings, drawings, prints and other works.

The museum’s collection includes more than 8,000 works in total. In addition to Grant Wood, visitors can see artwork by Marvin Cone, Mauricio Lasansky and other regional, national and international artists.

Add the Grant Wood Studio to your visit

For a more complete Grant Wood experience, visit the nearby Grant Wood Studio at 810 Second Avenue SE.

Wood lived and worked in the studio from 1924 to 1935, and it was here that he painted American Gothic in 1930. The studio is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. from April through December. Admission and docent-led tours are free, with tours beginning on the hour and half hour.

The studio is only a few blocks from the museum, making it easy to visit both locations during the same afternoon.

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art visitor information

Address:
410 Third Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Free admission dates:
July 1 through August 31, 2026

Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday and Wednesday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Thursday: Noon to 8 p.m.
Friday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.

A complimentary visitor parking lot is available on the Second Avenue side of the museum. Downtown street parking is metered during the week but free on weekends. The museum is accessible, with accessible parking and an elevator available near the Education Entrance.

With free admission throughout July and most of August, this is a good opportunity to explore one of Iowa’s most important art collections—and learn more about the Iowa artist behind one of America’s most recognizable paintings.