While Ohio may be better known for its fickle weather and lake-effect snow, it also has a surprisingly active arts scene. If you're looking for a city where you can see a Broadway play, watch dancers twirl in a professional ballet, enjoy live music, or explore your own skills at a school for the arts, these five Ohio cities deliver.
Each of these places has its own unique culture and vibe, but they all have a love for the arts in common. Read more about these five cities below to find out what puts them at the top of the list.
Cleveland is located in the northeastern section of Ohio and is the second largest city in the state. The city is situated on Lake Erie, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is located right on the lake's shoreline. A bit farther inland, the Playhouse Square holds Broadway plays as well as operas, musicals, and ballets. There are several galleries and auditoriums within just a few blocks of the Playhouse, where you can see exhibits from local artists or live music performances. Much of Cleveland's arts scene is centered around the University Circle neighborhood. The Cleveland Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art are both located right off of Route 20 next to the Cleveland Institute of Art — known for its varied class offerings on everything from graphic design to sculpture. This area is also home to Severance Hall, where the Cleveland Orchestra has been playing since 1931.
The city of Columbus often conjures up images of The Ohio State University Buckeyes and the Columbus Zoo, but there's also a thriving arts scene. If you're looking for a classic ballet, BalletMet Columbus is located in the downtown area on Mt. Vernon Ave and sometimes even offers free open rehearsals for those who want a behind-the-curtains view. Experience traditional theater at CATCO or the Ohio Theatre, or try something new at Cloak & Dagger Dinner Theatre. If live music is more your style, CityMusic offers an annual concert series, and you can also check out the Columbus Jazz Orchestra when they are in town. Columbus has many galleries and arts centers, but the Columbus Museum of Art, the Cultural Arts Center, and Brandt-Roberts Galleries are local favorites. The Ohio State University and The Columbus College of Art and Design also frequently host student performances and offer budding artists a chance to get a formal arts education.
Cincinnati sits in the southeastern part of the state on the Kentucky border right along the Ohio River, and it is also one of the best cities in Ohio if you want to enjoy or learn about the arts. Cincinnati has several arts education programs — many of them focusing on reaching the area's youth — including Learning Through Art and Elementz. If your child getting a strong arts background is at the top of your list, the School for Creative & Performing Arts was established in 1973 as a K-12 school. The school is exclusive, however, and students must gain admission through a rigorous audition process. Those wanting to experience a classical ballet or professional theater production can take their pick from the Cincinnati Ballet, Emery Theatre, or Cincinnati Music Hall. The latter is home to both the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera, the fifth- and second-oldest in the country, respectively. Residents of Cincinnati also enjoy spending the weekend strolling through the various fine and contemporary arts galleries, such as Art Beyond Boundaries, the Contemporary Arts Center, the Taft Museum of Art, the Behringer-Crawford Museum, and the Cincinnati Arts Museum.
This city is located in the center of the state, just 30 miles outside of Columbus. While Delaware's residents have easy access to all Columbus has to offer, it's also made a name for itself in the arts community. The city is home to Ohio Wesleyan University, a school focusing on the liberal arts, and the students' presence is a driving factor in the city's arts scene. The university nearly always has some kind of student exhibit or production running and open to the public. Around the holidays, residents can see the Delaware Community Chorus put on their annual Christmas concert, and the chorus also puts on a spring performance every year, with some songs done a cappella. Delaware's main arts center is The Arts Castle, a majestic structure built in 1854 that now serves as home to the Delaware County Cultural Arts Center. The Arts Castle offers a variety of classes year-round and features work from local artists in its exhibition hall. Local artisans also come together for the annual Delaware Arts Festival, usually held in May, and residents can come for a fun family day because both admissions and parking is free.
Oxford — located in southwest Ohio — is one of the smaller towns in the state, with a population hovering around 21,000. It's home to Miami University, which is known for its excellent professors and was ranked in the top 100 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. It's the presence of the university that is responsible for much of the city's arts scene. The Miami University Art Museum hosts both professional and student exhibits in virtually all mediums, and the Miami University Department Theatre offers residents plays, ballets, and musical performances throughout the year. Live music is almost too easy to come by in this college town in both the university and downtown districts. If you're interested in taking classes, the Oxford Community Arts Center offers everything from painting to ballet.
