The Lyceum Movement

05/29/2026

TOMORROW

It's America's 250th Anniversary. What's it all about?

On this 250th anniversary of our nation, join acclaimed philosopher Scott Samuelson as he explores the roots of our national experiment.

04/28/2026

Announcing the Fourth Annual Midwest Ideas Contest

Now accepting essays of 1500 words on the the question: what is happiness? Is happiness a feeling, a state of mind, an action? What constitutes genuine happiness? What brings it about? Is it dependent on good luck, or on our actions and attitudes?

Essays need not be academic, but they should engage with philosophers and philosophical ideas.

Submissions will be due June 15. First prize $500, runner up $100

04/25/2026

At Tallgrass, The Des Moines Festival of Ideas this August, we will be joined by Ken Isaacs, from the international aid organization Samaritan's purse. In addition to leading projects providing food and fresh water to people in developing countries, Ken Isaacs served in the United States Agency for International Development under George W. Bush. He will take part in a dialogue, not on the policy, but on the ethics of migration

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983991406705?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/21/2026

We are thrilled to welcome scholar and Atlantic writer Tyler Austin Harper to Des Moines this August. Tyler has made a stir with a series of important, independent-minded articles since joining the Atlantic, and will join us to discuss the way AI will shape the pursuit of human happiness. Register today. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983991406705?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/12/2026

Venue change for this Saturday.

We The People at GRAVITATE Coworking Downtown

What Makes an American?

03/31/2026

Last day to get early bird tickets to this year's Des Moines Festival of Ideas!

Featuring our most packed speaker list yet.

We're rebuilding the public square. Join us. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983991406705?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/27/2026

We're living in an unprecedented age of news and information access. How can we handle it all with wisdom? Join us tomorrow At Big Grove Brewery.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1968324883713?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/20/2026

TALLGRASS THE DES MOINES FESTIVAL OF IDEAS 2026

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983991406705?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/19/2026

Next Saturday!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1968324883713?aff=oddtdtcreator
Nowadays, it can be hard not to let the news unbalance us. So much comes at us so quickly that it's hard to distinguish fact from fiction. It's hard to know what should concern us, and what is causing us needless anxiety. Journalist and Grand View University professor KC McGinnis will explore these themes at Big Grove Brewery.

03/13/2026

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983991406705?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us at the Tallgrass: The Des Moines Festival of Ideas, August 7-8, as we explore the meaning of "The Pursuit of Happiness"

-John Adams

Painting by Newell Convers Wyeth