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.
Downtown Canton’s June First Friday returns to its artistic roots with Chalk the Walk, gallery visits, live music from The SpYder Stompers, food trucks, and a new initiative designed to connect visitors with the city’s growing arts and culture scene.
Valley Arts Center's Art by the Falls returns this weekend, June 6 and 7 with more than 150 artists from across the country, live music, food vendors, family activities, and more at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field in Moreland Hills. The annual festival is one of Northeast Ohio’s largest celebrations of art and creativity.
The Garden Club of Cleveland in May transformed donated and upcycled flowers into a large-scale public art installation on Wade Oval in University Circle, inviting visitors to take photos, create bouquets, and take home blooms during its first-ever Flower Flash. Two more events are planned later this year.
Lake Erie Ink marked the 10th anniversary of its Teen Book Project with the launch of this year’s anthology, "Lights, Camera, Action," compiled by student writers from Ohio schools. The annual initiative gives teens the opportunity to publish their works, collaborate with peer editors, and discover the power of sharing their voices.
Acclaimed horticulturist and author Abra Lee will visit Cleveland Botanical Garden on May 16 to discuss the overlooked contributions of Black gardeners, farmers, and growers and the lasting impact of their work on American horticulture and agriculture.
The BorderLight Theatre Festival returns to Playhouse Square July 8-11, featuring productions across 15 stages with artists from 12 states and three countries. The four-day fringe festival offers live performances and diverse programming with flexible ticket options and a commitment to accessibility. The festival kicks off with Fringe Unleashed, a high-energy preview night at The City Club of Cleveland.
The Cleveland Asian Festival returns May 16 and 17 with its largest celebration to date, featuring a record number of vendors, expanded culinary offerings, and a full slate of cultural programming. From K-pop performances and traditional dance to community initiatives, this year's festival highlights the diversity and growing impact of AsiaTown.
Downtown Cleveland, Inc. will host a community meeting this week to discuss a public art project that will transform Huron Road in the Gateway District into a mural. The project, by artist Ryan Jaenke, is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies to improve pedestrian safety, boost foot traffic, and support businesses.
City officials and Rock Entertainment Group, Bedrock, and Cosm last week broke ground on Cosm Cleveland—its fifth nationwide location—featuring a state-of-the-art 12K+ LED dome designed to create immersive sports, cinema, and entertainment experiences. The development will host four major events daily when it opens in 2027.
Literary Cleveland will distribute 500 free books by Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison at the West Side Market this weekend as part of the statewide "Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison" initiative. The giveaway features re-released editions of Morrison's three Ohio-set novels: "The Bluest Eye," "Sula," and "Beloved," honoring the Lorain-born author's literary legacy and deep connections to the state.
Stacey Tenenbaum's "Tough Old Broads," profiles three women who broke barriers in male-dominated fields: marathon pioneer Kathrine Switzer, White House photographer Sharon Farmer, and climate justice activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier. Tenenbaum is offering two free tickets to one of the sold-out screenings. Find out how to enter and learn more about these real-life tough old broads.
Photographer Johnny Joo and painter Tessa LeBaron explore mental health, resilience, and creative renewal in “Emergence,” a collaborative exhibit at 78th Street Studios that reflects their personal journeys and the healing power of art. The show features Joo's photography and LeBaron's paintings.
Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi, Cleveland Public Theatre's Arabic-speaking theater group, presents "The Wolf" Thursday, April 4 through Saturday, April 6 as part of the Test Flight play development program. The production, written and directed by Shakeeb Julien, follows a young villager's journey of learning and growth, while also serving as a creative outlet for the ensemble who represent Arabic-speaking communities from across the Middle East and North Africa.
"The Origin of a Villain," a collaboration between the YMCA of Greater Cleveland and Cleveland Public Theatre, explores the complex relationship between circumstances and personal choice through the lived experiences of 14 Y-Haven Treatment and Recovery Center residents. Now in its 27th year, the Y-Haven Theatre Project weaves together stories of recovery into a unified narrative of hope and redemption.
FAN EXPO Cleveland attracted pop culture enthusiasts to the Huntington Convention Center this past weekend, featuring headliners William Shatner, Hayden Christensen, and other notable celebrities. There were opportunities for autographs, cosplay, shopping, and interactions with both Hollywood stars and local cultural organizations, continuing its decade-long tradition as a favorite among Cleveland fans.
Destination Cleveland issued a call for artists in its Murals Across the City program. Three artists will be chosen to create murals on Cleveland buildings—adding to the nine existing murals in city neighborhoods. Artists have until March 30 to submit their portfolios.
Canalway's annual Towpath Trail Lantern Parade brought the city together last Saturday for a celebration along the Cuyahoga River in Tremont. Five commissioned artists created illuminated works of art from upcycled materials to celebrate the Ohio & Erie Canalway's history, while others crafted their own lanterns at a free workshop led by Upcycle Parts Shop.
FAN EXPO Cleveland returns to the Huntington Convention Center on Friday, with celebrity guests William Shatner and Hayden Christensen along with stars from fan faves like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The three-day pop culture convention has exhibits, celebrities, fan groups, cosplay, and gaming.
The Short.Sweet.Film Fest opens its 15th year this week, showcasing 338 short films from 26 countries across 33 programs at Atlas Cinemas Shaker Square. The festival has grown from a small basement gathering to a platform for independent short filmmakers. Highlights include Women in Focus, featuring 29 films directed or produced by women.
Cleveland's annual Brite Winter festival landed in the Waterloo Arts District last weekend, offering a much-needed winter escape with music, art, and community celebration. Brite Winter has been the winter arts and culture scene for more than 15 years, and photographer Reuben Kutash documented the 2026 version on Saturday.