Arts + Culture
Cleveland's collection of world-class arts institutions would be a boon for a city of any size. For nearly a century the Cleveland Museum of Art has served as one of the finest galleries in all the land, recently made all the better thanks to a just-completed $350-million transformation. Rubbing shoulders with the museum for the past 100 years has been the Cleveland Orchestra, which delights fine-music fans at home-base Severance Hall. Toss in the Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music, Playhouse Square, Cleveland Public Theatre, Museum of Natural History, Cleveland International Film Festival, the Rock Hall, live-music clubs, and funky galleries too numerous to name, it is clear that art, indeed, lives here.
Artist Bob Peck's retrospective exhibit, "In the Blink of an Eye," showcases more than 35 years as a graffiti artist and abstract expressionist. The one-night event at Graffiti HeArt will feature Peck's evolution as an artist, educator, and community figure—displaying works from his early street art days to his recent explorations in three-dimensional art.
The Cuyahoga County Public Library's Parma-Powers branch transformed a 240-square-foot space into a dynamic Art Wall, featuring rotating exhibits from local and national artists. This initiative is an example of how libraries are adapting to meet community needs, offering not just books but also access to art, technology, and shared experiences.
Lake Erie Ink and Cleveland State University English department will host the fifth annual Teen Writers' Symposium, allowing young writers in grades six through 12 to explore their creativity and develop their writing skills through workshops, panel discussions, and interactions with guest writers.
The Cleveland Silent Film Festival & Colloquium (CSFF) wrapped up its 2025 fall viewing series of silent films set to live musical accompaniment. CSFF board member and seasoned entertainment writer David S. Cohen reflects on the impact of live music, and the talented accompanists' work, have on these classic silent films.
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Artist Edra Soto has created a unique bus shelter installation in Cleveland, inspired by Puerto Rican architectural motifs. "La Distancia" serves as both a functional transit shelter and a public art piece—exploring themes of cultural identity, migration, and belonging. The shelter is designed to be a gathering space for the community while showcasing Puerto Rican architecture and culture.
The Cleveland Arts Prize celebrates its 65th anniversary this year, honoring a diverse group of artists and advocates in Northeast Ohio. This year's recipients, guitarist Jason Vieaux, poet Ali Black, and sculptor Mark E. Howard, will be honored this month for their contributions to the Cleveland's rich arts and culture world.
The 20th annual "Remembering the Sights and Sounds of Euclid Beach Park" was held on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Cleveland Metroparks Euclid Beach Park, celebrating the legacy of the amusement park that operated from 1895 to 1969. Visitors enjoyed vintage car displays, historical exhibits, rides in the Euclid Beach Rocket Car, and nostalgic treats while exploring artifacts and memories from the park's heyday.
IngenuityFest 2025: Forging the Future will transform an historic brush factory into a hub of creativity—blending Cleveland's manufacturing history with modern innovative technology, art, and music. The festival will showcase both traditional crafts and artistic expression and emerging technologies of the future.
The Heights Music Hop, hosted by FutureHeights, brought live music to three Cleveland Heights districts over three days last weekend. Photographer Reuben Kutash documented performances on Friday and Saturday.
Playhouse Square, will launch its 2025-2026 Children's Theater Series in October, featuring four productions ranging from classic adaptations to cultural celebrations. The series, includes sensory-friendly performances and educational workshops to enhance the theater experience for young audiences.
Several events are planned this weekend around he 90th anniversary of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, honoring outstanding works that contribute to our understanding of racism and human diversity. With a diverse lineup of award-winning authors, panel discussions, and interactive events, the Cleveland Book Fest solidifies the Cleveland as a major literary hub.
to life with 36 annual Chalk Festival
The Cleveland Museum of Art's annual Chalk Festival, a modern interpretation of a 16th-century Italian tradition, is this weekend on the south plaza, walkways, and the Fine Arts Garden. Artists of all skill levels are invited to create chalk masterpieces, with professional artists joining community groups and families in a colorful celebration of art and self-expression.
The Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) has unveiled nine newly wrapped utility boxes as part of its annual Painting the Town art competition. The project features designs by local professional artists and a high school graduate completing her senior project, bringing color and creativity to the streets of Shaker Heights along the Rapid Transit Green and Blue Lines.
The Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium's fall series features five silent films from the 1920s accompanied by live music. The festival, which includes screenings at the Cleveland Museum of Art and other venues, celebrates the centennial of these classic films and the Art Deco movement with a mix of orchestral performances, chamber music, and even a metal band.
The Heights Music Hop in Cleveland Heights this year has an expanded three-day format across three business districts. The event, presented by Future Heights, features a diverse range of musical genres, family-friendly programming, and plans for future growth to accommodate the city's evolving business landscape.
Rid-All Green Partnership's Fresh Fest Cleveland, now in its sixth year, will transform the Kinsman neighborhood into a vibrant celebration of food, art, wellness, and music this Saturday, Sept. 13. The free festival, headlined by hip-hop legend MC Lyte, will feature more than 80 local vendors, 12 food trucks, and a variety of activities at the revitalized Rid-All Farm and Otter Park.
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress is hosting a series of free summer events at Shaker Square. This week includes live music performances, the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Fest, Jazz from Stan Miller, and the North Union Farmers Market. The events are designed to encourage community engagement, support local businesses, and showcase the area's unique offerings, with activities running through the summer and into the fall.
Literary Cleveland's 2025 Inkubator Writing Conference, one of the largest free writing conferences in the country, is underway around Cleveland. The event kicks off its in-person activities, including workshops, panel discussions, and a book fair, with notable authors and industry professionals participating.
Rooms to Let, the annual art program in Slavic Village, has evolved from transforming vacant homes to revitalizing outdoor spaces. The 2025 exhibition will feature 14 local artists and music groups, creating temporary art enclaves on 12 vacant lots to bring attention to urban renewal and the power of art in transforming neighborhoods.
The Cleveland Museum of Art's young affiliates group, Column & Stripe, today will host the second installment of its Art of Fashion series. Art of Fashion: Makers and Innovators Panel features a panel of local designers and innovators who will discuss the future of fashion and Cleveland's role in the national scene.