Events & Programs
View all upcoming live concerts, literature/poetry readings,
exhibition openings, and more below.
Email Programs Coordinator to propose an event at the Hearst Center.
Nature Quest, in collaboration with the CFPL, goes through May 2026! More info!​
Red House Studios: Located next door to the Hearst Center, this facility offers studio space to artists. We announce open lease opportunities on this site and our social media.
Upcoming
All events listed below are free, unless otherwise noted requiring pre registration via Civic Rec.
JUNE
MAKING MUSIC CEDAR FALLS
Saturday, June 20, all day
Join us and our co-hosts, West Music, as we bring our community together for a free day of music performances and creative expression. Cedar Valley Acoustic Guitar Association street performance: Downtown Cedar Falls from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Raldo and the Boys: Cedar Falls Farmers Market from 10:30 a.m.-noon Stay tuned for additional venues and performances announced soon.
Keep up-to-date on the official page and socials for the latest announcements.
REMEMBERING GARY KELLEY
Thursday, June 25, Family and Friends Remembering Gary Kelley at 6:00 p.m.; Documentary Screening at 7:00 p.m.
This documentary, directed by David O’Shields, explores the artist’s successful and prolific career. Despite Kelley’s national and international acclaim for his work in illustration and painting, he remained relatively unknown to many Iowans. His story of success, peer recognition, and sticking close to his Iowa roots are important to share with local audiences. For O’Shields and his creative partner, Tristan Bennett, the hope is that this film will be of interest to all Iowans, especially young artists aspiring to creative fields. Kelley’s story serves as a testimony that artistic opportunities exist for talented, hard-working creatives right here in Iowa, and specifically the Cedar Valley-not just in Loas Angeles or New York City. “Gary Kelley is a national treasure. It is important to Iowans as well as viewers across the country to understand that and appreciate his extraordinary contribution to our collective culture. That is why Tristan and I made the film.” -Director David O’Shields Born in 1945, Kelly grew up in Algona, Iowa and attended UNI to study graphic design. As an illustrator, his work has appeared in Time, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, and other magazines. His mural work featuring celebrated authors appears in every Barnes & Noble Boookstore. He earned more than 27 accolades for his work. Kelley recently passed, but his legacy will live on.