Ballroom
| Maximum Capacity: 400
The Borlaug Ballroom is the single largest room in the Hall of Laureates and the space that is most transformed, located on the south side of the Rotunda. In the original library design, this area served as the Stacks Room and was actually a two-story space, separated with a glass floor and completely filled with bookcases. The room was a plain, utilitarian space. The original design can still be seen, as one part of the glass floor has been preserved as a balcony. The historic placement of the bookcases is marked in the new wood floors with a diagonal woodgrain pattern, suggesting their original location. This storage area has now been transformed into an elegant gathering space honoring Dr. Borlaug.
Supported Layouts and Capacities
Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 220 People
Reception
Capacity: 400 People
Theater
Capacity: 275 People
General Event Space
| Maximum Capacity: 24
The Founders Boardroom pays tribute to those who founded the World Food Prize or who have played a key role in the organization's history. The room is the perfect location for your board meeting or other gatherings.
Supported Layouts and Capacities
Conference
Capacity: 24 People
General Event Space
| Maximum Capacity: 30
The Iowa Gallery, located on the mezzanine level, is the room that served as the furnished art gallery of the historic Des Moines Public Library.
Today, the Iowa Gallery is designed to tell the story of Iowa’s extensive and varied agricultural and humanitarian heritage, as well as the pride Iowans feel for their role in “feeding the world.” To preserve these marvelous stories for future generations, the World Food Prize commissioned a total of 20 new original works of art by Iowa artists to be displayed in the Iowa Gallery.
Supported Layouts and Capacities
Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 30 People
General Event Space
| Maximum Capacity: 170
The Rotunda, in which all visitors enter, holds a stained glass window that depicts a harvest family, grain sculptures, and lunette murals tracing Dr. Borlaug's life. The rotunda also contains the building's original stained-glass skylight, and quotes around the four sides of the rotunda that pertain to the purpose of the World Food Prize.
It is the perfect place for your cocktail hour.
Supported Layouts and Capacities
Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 80 People
Reception
Capacity: 100 People
Theater
Capacity: 170 People
General Event Space
| Maximum Capacity: 240
The Ruan Laureates Room tells stories centered about the World Food Prize and the history of agriculture. A stained glass globe illustrates 12 areas where food production and agriculture originated. In the alcove, each of the 46 World Food Prize Laureates are represented by an engraved plaque.
Supported Layouts and Capacities
Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 140 People
Theater
Capacity: 240 People