Museum of Danish America

Victor Borge Legacy Award Recital
2026-04-26 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit) | Museum of Danish America, 2212 Washington Street, Elk Horn, IA, 51531, United States
The Museum of Danish America is proud to present the Victor Borge Legacy Award Piano Competition and Recital Series on Sunday, April 26, at 2 pm.

Named in honor of the beloved comedian and musician, the Victor Borge Legacy Award is designed celebrate the career of a great musician and the achievements of young pianists in the Omaha and Southwest Iowa regions.

The young pianists perform on the very first piano Victor Borge ever purchased—a Hindsberg piano grand purchased in Copenhagen. Carefully restored in 2009, it remains one of the museum’s most treasured artifacts.

The competition is held in conjunction with the South West Iowa Music Teachers Association, the Omaha Music Teachers Association, the Des Moines Piano Festival, and the Museum of Danish America.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available after the performance.

SWIMTA: Debra Heald debencore@encore-studio.com. For further information on the competition and entry, contact Debra.

OMTA: Jerri Niver 402.334.0129. For further information on the competition, please contact Jerri.

Des Moines: Sophia Ahmad 515.216.3875 or sophia@mobilemusiclessons.com. For further information on the competition and entry, contact Sophia.

SPARK! Wunderkammer: Curiosities from the Collection
2026-05-12 10:00 - 11:30
As part of this month’s SPARK! programming, Albert Ravenholt Curator of Danish-American Culture Adam Bierstedt will offer behind-the-scenes insights into the new exhibition Wunderkammer: Curiosities from the Collection.

SPARK! is cultural programming that fosters connection & encourages lifelong learning. Programs feature interactive exhibit experiences, and all programs begin with a coffee social and snacks.

This program is sponsored by The Andersen and Andersen-Lopez families of New York and Connecticut.

Guided Prairie Walk
2026-06-04 10:00 - 11:00
Join Shelby County Conservation Board Naturalist, Christina Roelofs, for a guided walk through the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park.

This program is open to all ages!

In collaboration with the Shelby County Conservation Board

Viking Camp A
2026-06-06 09:00 - 16:00
🛡️ Viking Camp: The Saga of the North

A Day in the Life of a True Norse Adventurer

Grades 4th-8th

Viking Camp invites young warriors to step out of the modern world and into the thrill, grit, and heart of the Viking Age. This isn’t simply a day at camp—it’s an immersive journey into Norse life, where every activity tests the strength, cleverness, and spirit of a true Viking through hands-on challenges and ancient skills passed down through time.

⚒️The Day’s Legendary Trials:

Master the art of the strike with safe, weighted foam axe-throwing.

Embark on a high-stakes treasure quest using logic, landmark recognition, and ancient Norse clues to find buried “wealth.”

Learn authentic battle tactics and formations led by professional Viking reenactors. Experience a live demonstration of how the Great Heathen Army held the line.

Discover the “Maker” side of Norse life as you practice the skills of the forge, wood carving, and Nordic knots.

And Much More.

Do you have what it takes to earn your place in the Great Hall? Your saga begins here.

Viking Camp B
2026-06-07 09:00 - 16:00

SPARK! Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park
2026-06-09 10:00 - 11:30
As part of this month’s SPARK! programming, we will visit the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park—our largest exhibition and a reconstructed native tallgrass prairie. Attend to explore why prairies are vital ecosystems, from their deep, resilient root systems to their role in sustaining biodiversity and intricate food webs.

SPARK! is cultural programming that fosters connection & encourages lifelong learning. Programs feature interactive exhibit experiences, and all programs begin with a coffee social and snacks.

This program is sponsored by The Andersen and Andersen-Lopez families of New York and Connecticut.

Art Explorers - Painting Camp
2026-07-11 09:00 - 15:00
Painting Camp – July 11thJoin us for a fun-filled day of creativity at our Art Explorers – Painting Camp! Young artists will explore color mixing, texture techniques, watercolor blending, and mixed‑media design. Campers will create three unique art pieces—from a bold abstract texture painting to a dreamy watercolor scene and a personalized mixed‑media masterpiece. Along the way, campers will learn about famous artworks, and finish the day by setting up their very own mini gallery for families to view. A full day of imagination, learning, and colorful expression!

SPARK! Vikingmania
2026-07-14 10:00 - 11:30
As part of this month’s SPARK! Programming, the museum staff will do a guided tour through the Vikingmania! exhibit. Participants will be able to ask questions about the pieces and receive a more in-depth explanation of the artifacts on view.
SPARK! is cultural programming that fosters connection & encourages lifelong learning. Programs feature interactive exhibit experiences, and all programs begin with a coffee social and snacks.

This program is sponsored by the Andersen and Andersen-Lopez families of New York and Connecticut.

Guided Prairie Walk
2026-08-05 10:00 - 11:00
Join Shelby County Conservation Board Naturalist, Christina Roelofs, for a guided walk through the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park.

This program is open to all ages!

This program is held in collaboration with the Shelby County Conservation Board.

SPARK! Art from the Archives
2026-08-11 10:00 - 11:30
As part of this month’s SPARK! programming, Youth & Community Educator Anna Thomas will share art from the museum’s archives, exploring their significance, techniques, and stylistic influence.

SPARK! is cultural programming that fosters connection & encourages lifelong learning. Programs feature interactive exhibit experiences, and all programs begin with a coffee social and snacks.

This program is sponsored by The Andersen and Andersen-Lopez families of New York and Connecticut.

SPARK! Day of Play
2026-09-08 10:00 - 11:30
As part of this month’s SPARK! programming, participants will take part in a special Day of Play focused on intergenerational connection. A small group of local daycare children will visit the museum, creating opportunities for shared play, conversation, and joyful interaction across generations. This program highlights the value of play at every age and encourages meaningful social engagement, creativity, and learning for SPARK! participants.

SPARK! is cultural programming that fosters connection & encourages lifelong learning. Programs feature interactive exhibit experiences, and all programs begin with a coffee social and snacks.

This program is sponsored by The Andersen and Andersen-Lopez families of New York and Connecticut.

SPARK! Local Legends
2026-10-13 10:00 - 11:30
Join historian Warren Watson for this month’s SPARK! program as he brings local legends and lore to life. Through storytelling and historical insight, Watson will explore the people, places, and tales that have shaped the region.

SPARK! is cultural programming that fosters connection & encourages lifelong learning. Programs feature interactive exhibit experiences, and all programs begin with a coffee social and snacks.

This program is sponsored by The Andersen and Andersen-Lopez families of New York and Connecticut.

SPARK! WWII & Danish Resistance
2026-11-10 10:00 - 11:30
As part of the museum’s SPARK! series, MoDA’s Registrar, David Anderson, will present a program on the Danish Resistance during World War II.

SPARK! is cultural programming that fosters connection & encourages lifelong learning. Programs feature interactive exhibit experiences, and all programs begin with a coffee social and snacks.

This program is sponsored by The Andersen and Andersen-Lopez families of New York and Connecticut.

SPARK! Winter Animals
2026-12-08 10:00 - 11:30
For this month’s SPARK! program, we will be joined by Christina Roelofs, a naturalist with the Shelby County Conservation Board and Iowa DNR. Christina will share insights into how animals adapt and survive during the winter months, highlighting local wildlife and seasonal behaviors that shape the natural landscape.

SPARK! is cultural programming that fosters connection & encourages lifelong learning. Programs feature interactive exhibit experiences, and all programs begin with a coffee social and snacks.

This program is sponsored by The Andersen and Andersen-Lopez families of New York and Connecticut.
