WORLD-CLASS ARTS AND CULTURE

Our micro-urban community offers arts and culture opportunities that rival larger cities. Whether it’s a concert, an art gallery, the theatre, or even a large international festival you’re interested in, Champaign-Urbana is a place where you can enjoy great entertainment options incomparable for its size. Champaign-Urbana is home to numerous signature events: Friday Night Live, with 2 hours of live, local music in four locations in downtown Champaign during the summer months; Pygmalion celebrating music, art, literature, comedy, and tech; ELLNORA: The Guitar Festival, a bi-annual festival with major headliners at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; and the venerated Ebertfest, which was started by Roger Ebert himself, born and raised in Urbana. If you prefer more intimate events, Champaign-Urbana is home to more than 87 arts venues as well as great community resources like 40 North. We also attract national and international headliners such as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and the Russian National Ballet. And U2, Jay Z, Sting and Bob Dylan have all played at the State Farm Center. Want to learn more about what’s happening in the champaign of cities? Read more at Visit Champaign County.

Art also adorns our prairie, reaching into our big, blue skies. Over 200 sculptures and murals can be found in our downtown districts, our parks and preserves, and the University of Illinois campus.

Like other thriving industries in Champaign-Urbana, our vibrant arts and music scene is also a bastion of innovation. Heard of powerhouses like Ang Lee (Life of Pi, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Brokeback Mountain), Alison Krauss (27 Grammy awards), Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), or REO Speedwagon (Hi Infidelity)? By now it shouldn’t be a surprise that they are natives or alumni of our community.