The Grant Wood Art Colony celebrates the life and legacy of Iowa’s most famous artist, Grant Wood. After painting one of the most recognizable images in the world, American Gothic, Wood joined the University of Iowa faculty. Each year, the Colony provides three Fellowships in Painting & Drawing, Printmaking , and Interdisciplinary Performance. Fellows teach courses, engage Iowans, and pursue their artistic endeavors. The Colony also hosts a biennial symposium and provides outreach to perpetuate Wood’s legacy as an artist and advocate of contemporary art.

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Derek Nnuro welcome

Reflections on the 8th Biennial Grant Wood Symposium

On April 25 and 26, the University of Iowa proudly hosted the 8th Biennial Grant Wood Symposium, themed Race & Regionalism: Representation in the Heartland. Over 60 participants, both in-person and virtual, gathered to engage in meaningful dialogue about how artists of diverse backgrounds have...Read more
GWAC 2015 Fellow Careena Melia speaks to Coe College students

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The Grant Wood Art Colony is a featured program of the University of Iowa Provost’s Office of Community Engagement. The program exemplifies the University of Iowa’s historic commitment to creative work and pioneering of the Master of Fine Arts degree. New and Enhanced Programs Catalogue Raisonn é...Read more
Winning Composite

Iowa High School Students Awarded 2025 Grant Wood Legacy Prize

Three young visual artists from Bettendorf, Ames, and Norwalk recognized for outstanding visual arts work [IOWA CITY, IOWA, February 24, 2025] — The University of Iowa’s Grant Wood Art Colony (GWAC) will award three students from Iowa schools with the Grant Wood Legacy Prize for outstanding visual...Read more