Cleveland’s world-class arts and culture is front and center this summer – from two expansive triennials to countless permanent and temporary exhibitions that spotlight the city’s creativity and burgeoning talent. As the home of one of the most prestigious art museums in the country and a local art scene that celebrates the city’s diversity and artistic prowess, there’s ample opportunity for residents and visitors alike to experience The Land of Art whenever the desire strikes.
HEALTH & SAFETY ALERT: Safety protocols vary by venue and, in some cases, by event at venues. Residents are encouraged to review both venue and event-specific protocols before arriving at an event.
SPECIAL SUMMER EXPERIENCES
Cleveland’s deep-rooted appreciation for cultural conversations will be in the international spotlight as two triennials return this summer.
FRONT Triennial
The second edition of FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art will fill Cleveland’s art calendar for nearly three months, from now through October 2. More than 75 artists’ work will be on display across Cleveland and the nearby cities of Akron and Oberlin. While some of the venues – such as the Cleveland Museum of Art and Akron Art Museum – are no strangers to art exhibits, the event will also feature artwork in unexpected places like Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Public Library, and even Cleveland’s Bop Stop music venue. Residents and their visitors can take part in one of the many special events that are part of the festival or simply enjoy a region-wide tour of this year’s installations.
July 16 – Oct. 2, 2022
Various locations throughout Cleveland, Akron and Oberlin; full list of venues, artists, and events available online
CAN Triennial
Northeast Ohio’s artists are the focus of the returning CAN Triennial. After COVID delayed the event by one year, this year’s theme – YOU ARE HERE – is focused on reuniting the Cleveland arts community and offering hope for the future. The Collective Arts Network will host sixteen exhibits highlighting work from 126 Northeast Ohio artists as part of the event, with the goal of providing attendees an experiential journey through six neighborhoods of the city.
July 8 – Aug. 31, 2022
Various locations throughout Cleveland; full list of venues, artists, and events available online
YEAR-ROUND MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
From one of the world’s top art museums to unique art experiences in Cleveland’s neighborhoods, there’s no shortage of options for locals looking to enjoy the city’s art scene throughout the year. Cleveland Museum of Art
More than 6,000 years’ worth of art from across the globe fills the galleries of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Located in the city’s cultural center of University Circle, CMA is world-renowned with a collection spanning from Ansel Adams to Van Gogh and everything in between. In addition to the multitude of year-round galleries, the museum also features a series of special exhibitions throughout the year. Best of all? Admission to view the permanent collection is always free.
11150 East Blvd., Cleveland
Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesdays and Fridays: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Closed Mondays
Free admission for galleries; some special exhibits require a paid ticket
Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa)
MoCa changes its exhibitions three times a year – meaning locals can visit many times with little chance of seeing the same thing twice. The building itself is a 34,00-square-foot work of art, rising seemingly out of nowhere into a mirror-like zig-zag structure at the corner of Euclid Ave. and Mayfield Rd. in University Circle. Along with the rotating exhibits, moCa also occasionally offers unique events such as yoga classes, silent disco dance parties, and artist talks and programs.
11400 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Hours: Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free admission
La Cosecha Galeria
This art gallery in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood aims to bring together a diversity of people and art, offering visual arts events and exhibitions as well as workshops, seminars, and discussion groups. La Cosecha Galleria’s current exhibition, “Super Natural,” includes pieces from artists whose styles inspire visions of spirituality. The gallery also features an open mic night on the last Saturday of each month.
4490 Pearl Rd., Cleveland
Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Sculpture Center
Clevelanders looking for some larger-scale art can pay a visit to The Sculpture Center in University Circle. The gallery features a variety of year-round installations along with special exhibitions, talks, and educational programming. The Center is also host to the Ohio Outdoor Sculpture database, which offers a variety of resources about and tours of outdoor sculptures across the state, including Northeast Ohio.
1834 E. 123 St., Cleveland
Hours: Wednesday-Friday, noon – 4 p.m.; Saturday, noon – 5 p.m.
Transformer Station
Located in Ohio City’s Hingetown district, Transformer Station focuses on bringing the work of contemporary artists to Northeast Ohio. In addition to the museum’s permanent Bidwell Collection, Transformer Station serves as an off-site project and gallery space for the Cleveland Museum of Art and hosts several exhibitions throughout the year as a result. A variety of talks, performances, and special events are also held at the gallery.
1460 W. 29th St., Cleveland
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
78th Street Studios
This unique space in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood is the largest fine arts complex in Northeast Ohio, featuring over 60 galleries, studios, and arts-based businesses. While the artists in 78th Street Studios don’t keep regular gallery hours throughout the week, locals can make their way through the maze of art during the studio’s THIRD FRIDAY events. Those looking to avoid the crowds can also experience the space during its weekly open house series, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. each Friday.
1300 W. 78th St., Cleveland
Full schedule of events & details available online
Advance registration suggested for THIRD FRIDAYS events
HANDS-ON ART EXPERIENCES
Clevelanders can get in touch with their artistic side, thanks to the local art community’s commitment to sharing their talents through hands-on classes and experiences.
ARTFUL at the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Campus
The P.E.A.C.E. (People Enhancing a Community’s Environment) Campus is home to a variety of community organizations, including ARTFUL, which offers studio spaces to local artists. Many of ARTFUL’s resident artists teach small or private classes in mediums such as ceramics, painting, and more. The P.E.A.C.E. Campus also hosts a quarterly community art experience. On August 20, residents can check out a family-friendly chalk festival.
Coventry PEACE Campus: 2843 Washington Blvd., Cleveland Heights
Full schedule of events and more information available online
Pivot Center
Located in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood, the Pivot Center is home to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Community Arts Center. The center features art displays, including a variety of puppets, costumes, and masks from the popular Parade the Circle event, along with free hands-on art activities and experiences. Future Ink Graphics, a screen-printing studio, is also located in the center and offers a series of printing classes for the community.
2937 W. 25th St., Cleveland
CMA Community Arts Center: Free drop-in art making and gallery exploration Friday, 2-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Future Ink Graphics: Wednesday – Friday, 1-5 p.m.; full schedule of classes available online
Glass Bubble Project
The Glass Bubble Project teaches glass blowing in both private classes and public workshops. For those looking for a different type of experience, there are also welding and sculpture classes to teach the basics of those mediums, as well as a class to create your own wind chime. Or, residents can just stop in to watch the artists at work.
2421 Bridge Ave., Cleveland
Full schedule of classes & pricing available online
Praxis Fiber Workshop
This workshop space in the Waterloo Arts District of the city’s Collinwood neighborhood offers classes, workshops and demo projects – all with the goal of demonstrating how art can be used to build inclusive communities. In addition to offering open studio space and rotating exhibitions from local and international fiber artists, Praxis Fiber Workshop teaches the art form through a series of workshops and classes.
15301 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland
Class details & schedule are available online
EXPLORING PUBLIC ART
A series of art-based tours and passports offer locals and visitors the chance to explore the city while taking in the area’s art.
Destination Cleveland Resources
There’s no shortage of public art throughout The Land, and Destination Cleveland offers several resources for those looking for more detail on what they’re viewing. Locals and visitors can enjoy architecture and public art walking tours throughout Downtown using Destination Cleveland’s Walk CLE map, available online or in hard copy at the Cleveland Visitors Center. Or, residents can celebrate the city’s Black culture and commemorate the contributions of Black Clevelanders through the ‘Expressions of Black Culture’ public art passport, which features 35 unique public art installations from local and national artists.
The City is our Museum
The free “The City is our Museum” app from LAND Studio offers self-guided tours of public art and spaces throughout Cleveland’s neighborhoods. Users are encouraged to use the app to explore and completely immerse themselves in the neighborhood they’re visiting. Five tours are currently available, with plans to add more in the coming months.
DON’T FORGET: Destination Cleveland’s Concierge Team is available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact the team via email (cleconcierge@destinationcle.org), live chat at thisiscleveland.com, or stop at the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland) Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. for planning assistance. ●
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. In 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic reduced visitation by 30 percent, with 13.8 million visits occurring. Prior to the pandemic, Cleveland hosted 19.6 million visits annually, with the County experiencing annual visitation increases that surpassed the domestic travel growth rate for nine consecutive years. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.
